Nutrient Needs During the First Two Months of Life

Water

Infants have higher total body water content (per kg of body mass) than children and adults and higher rates of water turnover. In addition, a limited ability to sweat, excrete solutes, and express thirst make attention to fluid intake very important. As with most nutrients, recommendations for water intake are based on the amount consumed with an average intake of breastmilk.

Dehydration can result from improperly prepared formula, boiled formula, inadequate breastmilk intake, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, concentrated urine (e.g., dark yellow), lack of tears, dry skin/mouth/tongue, lethargy or listlessness, sunken eyes, sunken fontanel.

Water intoxication can result from excessively dilute formula, water instead of milk or formula, and bottled water instead of electrolyte solution as treatment for diarrhea. Symptoms of water intoxication include hyponatremia, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, polyruia/oliguria, and seizures. (McKean and Mazon, 2017)