by Aimee "I Love Points" K.
Member since:
August 17, 2008

New Mothers, Please Read!

December 08, 2008 02:04 PM EST
views: 61 | comments: 19

Hello All,

I wanted to tell you about a story that occured in Florida which you may have or have not heard regarding water intoxication.  There was a mother who was diluting her child's formula to stretch it out and almost killed her child.  Parents never should use more water than recommended when mixing formula because babies literally can drown from the water intake.  I consider myself fairly knowledgeable with a college degree and I did not know this information.  I hate to admit it, but have stretched out a bottle or too when it was late at night and I didn't want to wake my husband to go get formula.  However, I had no idea that this could happen and now I thank my lucky stars that I didn't cause harm.  I wanted to let everyone know this in case there are others that didn't know either.

link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 19

Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. Dec 8, 2008, 2:05pm EST
Pay It forward
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Dec 8, 2008, 2:31pm EST
yes, I read this in my paper to. I thought oh gosh what mother hasn't tried to strech formula before. I mean you look and read every where where its telling you how to make your milk last or juice last by watering it down. I can see how a young mother would try this. I think it is truely sad this happened.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Dec 8, 2008, 2:45pm EST
Wow, that is terrible. I have never heard about this.
Frances G. Dec 8, 2008, 3:00pm EST
so sad
Amanda S. Dec 8, 2008, 3:34pm EST
I'm in Florida and haven't heard this one. I also don't watch or read news. My ped told me a one time to give my son water only in between meals for dehydration. My son had bad diarrea at the time. I never knew it could harm a baby like that though.
denise e Dec 8, 2008, 5:43pm EST
good info to know
Aimee "I Love Points" K. Dec 8, 2008, 6:37pm EST
There was actually a story about it posted on MSNBC is anyone does the search and wants to read the whole article. I think that it is alright to give them water once in awhile, probably just according to a pediatrician. I know that it is something I am definitely going to discuss with mine though. I know that the baby was only 5 months old, so I don't know if age has to do with it as well.
Monica H. Dec 9, 2008, 12:19am EST
Thanks for the info. I had no idea this could happen.
Kelly M. Dec 9, 2008, 12:42am EST
Thanks for paying it forward to me!
Andrea (Ms. Conservative) L. Dec 11, 2008, 10:52pm EST
'Tis the season to be jolly!
Nurse Nancy S. Dec 14, 2008, 7:56am EST
I, too, have heard of many mothers doing this to stretch the formula. While once or twice won't do any harm, perpetual use of additional water not only can cause the water intoxication but can lead to malnutrition.

Be careful. Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention.
Elizabeth S. Dec 14, 2008, 12:59pm EST
Since babies are given straight water at times, I don't think they can drown from the water used to stretch the formula. However, if the baby needs 8 oz of formula and are receiving 6 oz of formula and 2 oz of water, the baby is not getting the nutrition he needs to grow. While a day of doing this every few months might not have long term effects, doing it daily or even regularly is bound to harm the baby.
Kimber L. Dec 23, 2008, 10:26am EST
i breast fed and then she was old enough for a little cereal in her formula and it filled her up fine. Never diluted
Kelly M. Dec 23, 2008, 3:29pm EST
Thanks for paying it forward to me!
Sara S. Dec 26, 2008, 10:57pm EST
thank you for the information.
Paying it forward
Infinity M. Jan 1, 2009, 8:37am EST
happi new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vic Needs Coffee Jan 28, 2009, 1:37am EST
Good info.
APE 131313 Mar 11, 2009, 8:30pm EDT
Swingin' by to help you reach your Gather goals!
rainne chandler Mar 29, 2009, 5:58pm EDT
this is so sad i know that the wic programe needs to up the amount of forula they give in a month for each child

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16961, "Pacino"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.