For healthy adults, nothing seems to quench a thirst better than plain, pure
water. We're encouraged to drink several glasses a day to keep our systems in
balance. But for children under 1 year old – and especially during the first
nine months of life – drinking too much water can be dangerous.
In fact,
according to pediatricians like James P. Keating, MD, medical director of the
St. Louis Children's Hospital Diagnostic Center, too much water dilutes a baby's
normal sodium levels and can lead to seizures, coma, brain damage and
death.
Breast milk or formula provides all the fluid healthy babies need.
If a mother feels her baby needs to take additional water, it should be limited
to two to three ounces at a time and should be offered only after the baby has
satisfied his hunger with breast feeding or formula.
Dr. Keating also
recommends that parents avoid participating in infant swimming lessons.
"Repeated dunking of infants can cause them to gulp water and has caused
seizures in the infants at the poolside," he says.
Since the brain is the
organ most susceptible to water intoxication, a change of behavior is usually
the first symptom in older children. They may become confused, drowsy or
inattentive. They also may suffer from blurred vision, muscle cramps and
twitching, poor coordination, nausea and vomiting, irregular breathing and
weakness. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your pediatrician.