Re: Giving the baby water
No. Babies should be fed breastmilk or formula alone until 6 months. No water, no solids. Milk (or formula) provides all the hydration a baby requires. Water provides hydration but lacks the electrolytes present in milk (or formula) and therefore too much water can actually throw off a baby's electrolyte balance and make him sick- and because young babies have low body mass, "too much" water can be a relatively small quantity. In addition, water lacks the protective immune components of breastmilk and can be contaminated with things you wouldn't want your baby to drink (bacteria, amoebas, etc.).