Giving your baby water can actually harm him. Giving too much water to  children under 1 year  especially during the first 9 months of life  can be dangerous.

Too much water dilutes a baby’s normal sodium level  and can lead to seizures, brain damage , coma or even death.

Breast milk and formula provide the child  with all the important nutrients he needs. If you feel your baby needs  a little water , it should be  be limited to two to three ounces at a time. The water should only be offered after the baby has satisfied his  hunger with breastfeeding or formula.

If your child is involved in infant swimming, it is important to be cautious. Repeated dunking can cause infants to gulp water. This can cause seizures at the poolside.

What are the symptoms of water intoxication in children

The brain is the main organ that is susceptible to water intoxication. As a result a change in behavior is the first sign in older children. They may become :

• drowsy
• confused
• inattentive

They may also experience the following :

• blurred vision
• muscle cramps
• twitching
• poor coordination
• nausea
• vomiting
• irregular breathing
• weakness

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your pediatrician right away.