Is adding extra water to infant formula dangerous?

Question

My son who turned 6 months old yesterday loves to eat. He drinks formula and because I do not want him becoming overweight like some of the other formula fed babies I've seen, I just add extra water to his bottles. I mix 3-4 scoops of formula with 9 oz of water. 9 oz is the highest marking on his bottle, then I fill the bottle to the rim with extra water. This seems to do the trick , then I put a pacifier in his mouth. What I need to know is, Does the water interfere with proper absorption of the nutrients in the formula?

Answer 1

No, it won't be lethal.

Answer 2

By breastfeeding you wouldn't have this problem at all.

Answer 3

Elisa, be careful about adding to much water to a formula that is already designed for the proper liquid content. If you feel the need for more water or if baby seems thirsty then make certain the water is purified or has been distilled for safety sake. The weight factor should be determine by a pediatrician. None processed water has additives to it like fluoride and anti-bacteria chemicals.

Spartawo...

Answer 4

The guidelines on the tin are there for a purpose. Follow them for god's sake and do not deprive your child of vital nutrients.

He will eat what he needs, not more, not less. Don't obsess of him being overweight. You're taking a very unhealthy attitude towards the health of your child!!!!

Answer 5

Formula fed babies aren't over weight, I was formula fed and I was always very skinny as a baby. My son is formula fed and his not over weight either it all has to do with genetics. Just feed him the right a mouth I promise he wont be over weight also he should be eating some solid so is not like all he eats is formula.

Answer 6

From what i've read, its safe to give your infant 4 oz of water a day after 4 months of age. I wouldn't worry by what you're doing.

Answer 7

"because I do not want him becoming overweight like some of the other formula fed babies I've seen,"

And you know they were formula fed because.... I have seen some over-weight breastfed babies too myself (and i know for a fact since two of them are cousins)

The ONLY time you should add extra water (and no more than an ounce more) is when the baby is constipated.  What you are doing is depriving him of the nutrients that he should be getting if you would make it properly.

Quit adding extra water. Worry about the lack of nutrients he's getting because of it and quit worrying about having an over-weight baby.

Answer 8

We give our daughter 6 oz bottles but fill to 6 1/2. The extra water seems to help with her constipation problem a little bit. How many ounces per bottle do you want him to have? He should probably be on 6 or 7 oz bottles. Filling it up to 9 isn't that good of an idea. Filling one extra ounce isn't bad. Got this info from the pediatrician.

EDIT: to those who enthusiastically gave me a thumbs down, why don't you ask a doctor? Our daughter's pediatrician said it was fine and it is fine. She has had no problems. And like I said it helps with her constipation to have that bit more water. As soon as we started doing that last week, her p**p came easier!! Geeze.

Answer 9

I don't know about absorption, but I do know that formula is designed to be prepared a certain way.  Proper mixing ensures that baby is getting all the nutrients and iron he needs.  If you add too much water, it's the same as giving baby plain water to drink before giving him his formula.  Essentially helping to fill him up before he has received all the iron and nutrients he needs.  Unless he has other medical concerns that dictate a special diet, he should be ready to start baby food at six months.  This may cut down on his formula intake, but do always offer him the bottle first, because it is his source of iron.  If you are that concerned about obesity, you should talk to his MD, but while he is so young, I would personally worry more about him getting his nutritional needs met.  Would you rather have a healthy chunky baby or an anemic one?  Hope this helps!  

Answer 10

using extra water could be very dangerous unless told to do so by your babies doctor. he is not getting the proper calories, vitamins, minerals or fats that he needs per oz because its watered down. if you think that he is gaining to much weight talk to your babies doctor about putting him on solids, or going on a different formula

Answer 11

Yes, it can be dangerous.

If he is hungry, just give him for formula.  You are not going to make him overweight @ 6 months.

At 6 months, he can be eating some solids.

Use the exact amount of water the manufacturer specifies on the label. If the formula is too diluted or too concentrated, you may upset your baby's electrolyte balance and your baby's nutritional needs won't be met. Never dilute formula to make it last longer.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant-...

Answer 12

You don't want your baby to be overweight, so you choose to put his health at risk by improperly preparing formula bottles.

3 scoops of formula for 6oz of water.

4 scoops of formula for 8oz of water.

NOT 9!

If your child is hungry- FEED HIM with nutritious foods.  Don't fill him up with water!

Poor child.

Answer 13

You have to follow directions on the formula container, watering down formula causes an electrolyte imbalance in the body and fills them up falsely not giving them the proper nutrients they need from the formula.  My cousin use to water down formula to make it last longer and her pediatrician found out and boy was he upset and went over just how bad of an idea it is.  Some babies are just bigger and they grow out of it once they become more active around 12-18 months.  

Answer 14

You should always make the formula to the makers instructions too much or too little water are both bad.

If your baby is thirsty you can give cooled boiled water in a bottle.  It's too long since I had a baby for me to remember the exact stages but I think that the infant formula comes in different strength depending on the baby's age, if you feel that your baby is not getting enough nutrition you may need to change to a higher age range formula or consult your health care professional e.g. GP or local nurse.

Answer 15

Put very simply, from WIC:

"Incorrect mixing of formula can make your baby sick or

it might keep your baby from growing. If you don’t use enough powder or

liquid formula in the bottle, the baby will not get all the nutrients she needs to

grow. She will also get too much water for her small body.  If you use too

much liquid or powder formula in the bottle, it could hurt the baby’s kidneys

or brain."

http://heatinghelp.alaska.gov/dpa/progra...

Answer 16

its not dangerous to the baby for you to add a LITTLE(.5oz-1oz) extra water. in can actually help with constipation. the thing that you want to watch out for is the amount of actual formula your baby is getting. if you are only putting 3 scoops then that only counts a 6oz of formula not 9. At this age they need to be getting at least 24 oz of formula a day. If he is hungry you should start introducing him to baby cereal. If he is already eating cereal then introduce some applesauce or bananas. My daughter is 6 months old and she is on baby food! it keeps her satisfied!! Just make sure that he still gets at least the 24 oz of actual formula and he should be ok!!!