Drinking too much water can lead to poisoning, a situation that may sound surprising but mainly occurs in infants, especially when their internal systems have not fully matured. Since an infant’s kidney function doesn’t reach adult levels until around one year old, they may not be able to effectively eliminate excess water when overhydrated. This can result in water accumulation in the bloodstream, diluting sodium ion concentration, leading to hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication.
For newborns, the ideal feeding method is exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months after birth. Breast milk, which is composed of up to 87.5% water, can meet the infant’s hydration needs, usually without the need for additional water. Improper or excessive water supplementation for infants may have negative effects instead.
Research indicates that excessive water intake in infants is one of the factors causing water intoxication.
To prevent water intoxication in infants, the following points should be noted: – Avoid giving infants water before meals, as this may dilute stomach acid, disrupt food digestion, and also affect the infant’s appetite. – It is not advisable to feed water before bedtime to avoid increasing the risk of infants wetting the bed at night, disturbing their sleep cycle. Especially for young infants, frequent nighttime awakenings for urination are not conducive to sleep quality. – If water is necessary before bedtime, the amount should be strictly controlled, and it should be scheduled at least two hours before bedtime.
The symptoms of water intoxication in infants vary, but undoubtedly have a significant impact on health. Therefore, providing adequate hydration in the early life of infants is crucial, both by not neglecting their hydration needs and avoiding blind water supplementation to ensure their physical health.
