Sharlene

Excusively breastfed infants under six months, assuming they are receiving
enough milk to grow and thrive, definitely do not need, and shouldn't have
extra water - even in a hot climate.  This was studied and finally
determined in 1978!



Am J Clin Nutr. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/665566> 1978
Jul;31(7):1154-7.
Water requirements of breast-fed infants in a hot climate.

Almroth SG
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Almroth%20SG%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=665566>
.
Abstract

To estimate the water requirements of exclusively breast-fed infants in a
hot climate, theoretical calculations of water requirements were made and a
field study was carried out in Jamaica. Three urine samples were collected
from each of 16 infants. The specific gravity of individual urine samples
ranged from 1.005 through 1.015, with a mean of 1.009 (SD +/- 0.002).
Corresponding values for osmolality were calculated to be 103 through 468
mOsmole/liter with a mean of 258 mOsmole/liter. The mean specific gravity
for an infant ranged from 1.006 through 1.012, or 139 through 358
mOsmole/liter. The mean outdoor temperature was 27.6 C and the humidity
76%. Because the values for specific gravity were universally low it was
concluded that healthy, exclusively breast-fed infants living in a hot
humid climate will manage well without additional water. Additional water
may be desirable during illness.

-------------------------------------------------------

The text I remember is that they studied infants in India in temperatures
up to 41 degrees C and found that they stayed well hydrated on exclusive
breastfeeding, although that is not stated in the abstract.


However, there's an excellent Linkages publication at
http://breastcrawl.org/breastfeeding-faq-exclusive-breastfeeding.shtml
which gives exhaustive info on the need NOT to give extra water even in hot
climates.


Hope this helps.


Pamea Morrison IBCLC

Rustington, England

<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
Virus-free.
www.avast.com
<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
<#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome