Fluid Supplementation for Breastfed Infants in Hot Weather
by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM
The party line on whether breastfed infants need extra water in hot climates has been ‘NO’ for decades. However, many cultures in hot climates have routinely offered water or tea to infants under 6 months of age for concerns of infant thirst. There has never been a meta-analysis or systematic review on this topic, which is an increasingly important one as researchers investigate the impact of climate change on maternal-infant health.
The authors of today’s study performed a systematic review of 18 published studies (good, fair and poor quality) that investigated the effect of ambient temperature on weight loss, dehydration and infant feeding practices for infants under 12 months of age. The studies took place in India, Jamaica, Pakistan, Peru, Honduras, Sinai desert, Brazil, Lesotho, Israel, Kenya, Egypt and ‘undisclosed tropical locations’.
According to the authors, although the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first 6 months, EBF rates in low- and middle-income countries are just over 40% for various reasons including supplementation for perceived infant thirst.
As there is no gold standard measurement for infant hydration, the studies in this systematic review measured hydration using a variety of markers including urine concentration, infant weight, hemoglobin concentration, serum sodium, and rectal temperature.
The average range of ambient temperatures in the studies was 26.5-34.8°C (79.7- 94.6°F).
What did they find? Check out the question!
- All of the studies demonstrated no evidence for dehydration among infants under 6 months who were EBF in hot climates.
- Breastfed infants who were supplemented with water or other beverages weighed more and had less concentrated urine than EBF infants.
- EBF babies had higher sodium levels than breastfed babies who were not exclusively breastfed.
See the Answer
Abstract
Background
Increased rates of exclusive breastfeeding could significantly improve infant survival in low- and middle-income countries. There is a concern that increased hot weather due to climate change may increase rates of supplemental feeding due to infants requiring fluids, or the perception that infants are dehydrated.
Objective
To understand how hot weather conditions may impact infant feeding practices by identifying and appraising evidence that exclusively breastfed infants can maintain hydration levels under hot weather conditions, and by examining available literature on infant feeding practices in hot weather.
Methods
Systematic review of published studies that met inclusion criteria in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health and Web of Science databases. The quality of included studies was appraised against predetermined criteria and relevant data extracted to produce a narrative synthesis of results.
Results
Eighteen studies were identified. There is no evidence among studies of infant hydration that infants under the age of 6months require supplementary food or fluids in hot weather conditions. In some settings, healthcare providers and relatives continue to advise water supplementation in hot weather or during the warm seasons. Cultural practices, socio-economic status, and other locally specific factors also affect infant feeding practices and may be affected by weather and seasonal changes themselves.
Conclusion
Interventions to discourage water/other fluid supplementation in breastfeeding infants below 6 months are needed, especially in low-middle income countries. Families and healthcare providers should be advised that exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended even in hot conditions.
Although the study designs were not excellent, at least 2 studies considered ‘good’ quality demonstrated no evidence for dehydration in EBF infants under 6 months of age living in hot climates. No studies showed an ‘improved hydration profile’ among breastfed infants who were supplemented with fluids in the first 6 months, as compared to those who were EBF.
The researchers documented that EBF rates are sometimes lower during the hotter seasons in some countries for a variety of reasons. The birth attendants or health care providers sometimes recommend water for EBF infants. In addition, some breastfeeding mothers experience more separation from their infants during the hotter months due to more work demands such as taking care of children who are out of school or more agricultural work during the hot climate.
The researchers did not address the dangers of giving water to EBF infants, such as risk of diarrhea, fever, or insufficient weight gain.