Exclusively breastfed, low birthweight term infants do not need supplemental water.
Breast milk intake, urine volume and urine-specific gravity (USG) of exclusively breastfed, low birthweight (LBW) term male infants in Honduras were measured during 8-h periods at 2 (n = 59) and 8 (n = 68) wk of age. Ambient temperature was 22-36 degrees C and relative humidity was 37-86%. Maximum USG ranged from 1.001 to 1.012, all within normal limits.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that supplemental water is not required for exclusively breastfed, LBW term infants, even in hot conditions.
Cohen
R J
RJ
Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis 95616-8669, USA.
Brown
K H
KH
Rivera
L L
LL
Dewey
K G
KG
D001942:Breast Feeding; D004326:Drinking; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status