breastmilk as a thirst quencher

DS is 11.5 months and eats lots of solids, breastfeeds heaps & loves
drinking water. but i have been wondering if breastmilk quenches an older
baby's thirst or if as it is sweet, it doesn't? i would assume that their
body would get hydrated, but what about the actual thirst? the reason i ask
is he can have a long breastfeed & then want to have a good long drink of
water.
not worrying or anything, just curious!
--
elizabeth (in australia)
DS - born 20-aug-02

i would assume that their
body would get hydrated, but what about the actual thirst? the reason i ask
is he can have a long breastfeed & then want to have a good long drink of
water.

The foremilk is designed to be thistquenching. If he is nurisng often and
getting plenty of foremilk, he should be quenching his thirst.
But then, he may just like water, and find it more thirst quenching. If he
enjoys it, at this age there is no harm.


Naomi
CAPPA Certified Lactation Educator

(either remove spamblock or change address to to e-mail
reply.)

In article ,
"elizabeth emerald" wrote:

DS is 11.5 months and eats lots of solids, breastfeeds heaps & loves
drinking water. but i have been wondering if breastmilk quenches an older
baby's thirst or if as it is sweet, it doesn't? i would assume that their
body would get hydrated, but what about the actual thirst? the reason i ask
is he can have a long breastfeed & then want to have a good long drink of
water.

DS did this too. Perhaps it's like switching boobs -- they get a pattern of
foremilk (for thirst) -- hindmilk (for hunger) -- foremilk or water (for
thirst)?

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"...children should continue to be breastfed... for up to two years of age
or beyond." -- Innocenti Declaration, Florence, 1 August 1990