Breast milk: the only drink your baby needs

When faced with a heatwave, a question often worries parents: is my baby hydrated enough? Nature has it all figured out. Your milk is composed of over 80% water, making it the ideal drink to quench your infant’s thirst. Its composition naturally adapts to your child’s needs, providing all the necessary fluids and nutrients, even in hot weather. There’s no need to worry about its hydrating capacity.

For a baby under six months exclusively breastfed, it is crucial to remember that you should never give plain water. This can fill their tiny stomach and deprive them of essential calories. Experts are unanimous: breast milk is sufficient. Managing breastfeeding in a heatwave relies on trusting your body and the frequency of feedings, not on adding external liquids, which are unnecessary. For more information on common breastfeeding challenges, you can read about clogged milk ducts and white spots.

Increase Feeding Frequency: The Key to Hydration

During a heatwave, the approach is simple: offer the breast more often. Your baby, like you, will be thirstier. Don’t wait for insistent demands; instead, observe their early hunger cues. These frequent, even short, feeds are essential to ensure optimal hydration and meet their increased water needs. This is a fundamental aspect of managing breastfeeding in hot weather.

These “thirst-quenching feeds” are particularly effective. The foremilk, which comes at the beginning of a feed, is richer in water, acting as a true thirst-quencher. Don’t worry if your baby only feeds for a few minutes; they are simply satisfying their thirst. Trust your instincts and your baby’s to navigate heatwaves serenely, ensuring their well-being.

Hydration of Breastfed Infants: Signs to Watch For

Sign to Watch For	Well-Hydrated Baby	Signs of Dehydration ⚠️
Wet Diapers	At least 5 to 6 heavy diapers with clear, odorless urine per 24 hours.	Fewer than 5 diapers in 24 hours, dark and strong-smelling urine. No urine for more than 6 hours.
Behavior / Alertness	Baby is alert, active, and easily wakes to feed. Generally calm and content.	Baby is drowsy, lethargic, difficult to wake. May be fussy, irritable, or unusually quiet.
Fontanelle	The fontanelle (soft spot on top of the head) is soft and flat.	The fontanelle is visibly sunken or depressed. This is an emergency sign.
Saliva and Tears	Mouth and lips are moist, presence of saliva (“drooling”). Tears appear when crying.	Dry, pasty mouth. Dry or cracked lips. Absence of tears when crying.

Mother’s Hydration: A Priority During Heatwaves

During a heatwave, your body works doubly hard to regulate its temperature and produce milk. Adequate hydration is therefore crucial not only to maintain your milk supply but also for your own well-being. Never wait until you feel thirsty to drink, as thirst is already a sign of dehydration. Keep a water bottle within reach at all times, especially during feedings, to compensate for fluid loss and support your lactation.

Aim for about 2 to 3 liters of fluid per day, prioritizing water. Good hydration helps prevent fatigue, headaches, and can reduce the risk of complications like the appearance of a clogged milk duct. Also consider herbal teas, broths, or water-rich fruits. Listening to your body and drinking regularly are the simplest and most effective actions to get through hot weather calmly with your baby.

Breastfeeding in a Heatwave: Our Tips for More Comfort

Skin-to-skin contact can quickly become uncomfortable. To remedy this, slip a thin cotton swaddle between you and your baby to absorb sweat and prevent irritation. Opt for breastfeeding positions that limit heat, such as the “rugby hold” or the laid-back position. Settle into the coolest room to transform this moment into a well-being break, far from discomforts like clogged milk ducts.

Recipe: Fennel & Mint Infused Water for Breastfeeding

A simple and refreshing infused water recipe with fennel and mint, specially designed to help breastfeeding mothers stay hydrated during a heatwave. Fennel is known for its galactagogue properties, promoting milk production. Good hydration is crucial for maintaining optimal lactation and preventing common breastfeeding issues, such as a milk bleb.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Infusion time: 2 hours minimum

Yields: 1 liter

Rating: 4.9/5 (based on 88 reviews)

Ingredients

• 1 liter of spring or filtered water
• 1/2 fresh fennel bulb, preferably organic
• 1 small bunch of fresh mint (about 15 leaves)
• Optional: a few slices of organic cucumber or lemon for extra freshness

Preparation

1. Prepare the ingredients

   Wash the fennel and mint thoroughly under clear water. Cut the half fennel bulb into thin slices to maximize the contact surface with the water and release all its aromas and benefits. Pick the mint leaves.

2. Cold infusion

   In a large pitcher or glass bottle, place the fennel slices and fresh mint leaves. If desired, now is the time to add cucumber or lemon slices for an extra touch of freshness.

3. Refrigeration

   Pour the liter of fresh water over the ingredients. Place the covered pitcher in the refrigerator and let it infuse for a minimum of 2 hours. For a more intense flavor and optimized benefits, you can let it infuse overnight.

4. Enjoy

   Serve this infused water chilled throughout the day. It’s an excellent alternative to plain water to vary the pleasures and encourage you to drink. You can refill the pitcher with water once or twice with the same ingredients.

Perceived Drop in Lactation During a Heatwave: How to React?

Fatigue related to heat can create a false impression of low milk supply. This is often a perceived drop in lactation rather than a real one, a common challenge when breastfeeding in a heatwave. The solution is to increase breast stimulation by offering more frequent feeds. Skin-to-skin contact is also an excellent way to boost your production. Don’t forget that your hydration and rest are essential.

Breastfeeding and Heatwave: Your Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wake my baby to feed during a heatwave?

During a heatwave, a baby might be more drowsy. If your baby is very young (under 6 weeks) or if you have any doubts about their hydration, it’s advisable to gently wake them to offer the breast every 2 to 3 hours. For older babies, rely on their waking cues and signs of good hydration (wet diapers). The key is to offer frequent feedings on demand, which might be shorter but more numerous.

Does my milk become less nutritious in the heat?

Absolutely not! In fact, it’s the opposite: your body is an amazing machine that adapts the composition of your milk. In hot weather, breast milk becomes richer in water at the beginning of a feeding to perfectly quench your baby’s thirst. It remains just as nourishing and contains all the necessary nutrients. Trust your body; your milk is exactly what your child needs to stay hydrated and well-fed.

How should I dress my baby for breastfeeding and daily life?

The golden rule is: as little as possible. A simple diaper is often enough. For breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact can increase heat; don’t hesitate to place a thin cotton muslin cloth between you and your baby to absorb sweat. At night, a light cotton bodysuit or a low-TOG summer sleeping bag is sufficient. Avoid synthetic materials and opt for natural, breathable fibers.

Should I give my breastfed baby water in addition to breast milk?

For an exclusively breastfed baby under 6 months, it is neither necessary nor recommended to give water. Your milk, composed of over 87% water, is more than sufficient to meet their hydration needs. Offering water could fill their tiny stomach and reduce their appetite for milk, which provides essential calories and nutrients. Increasing feeding frequency is the best strategy for a calm breastfeeding experience during a heatwave.