Although most new parents are warned of potential effects of diluting a baby's breast milk, studies are showing that formula or milk stretching is more common than generally thought. Just this week, two Georgia parents were charged with killing their infant daughter by diluting the breast milk they fed her.
Watering down the breast milk caused Nevaeh's electrolyte and sodium levels to drop, which caused swelling in her brain, according to the warrants.
The tragedy is shedding light on an important issue about the deadly dangers that can occur when water is added to breast milk.
During a baby’s first year of life, breast milk or properly prepared infant formula is the best fluid source. Babies under six months are not supposed to drink water, as it has no nutritional value. As a result of watering down breast milk, babies' electrolyte and sodium levels drop, which can cause the brain to swell. According to doctors, the low levels of electrolytes can result in confusion, lethargy, seizures, and even death.
"There is no safe amount of free water for infants," according to board certified pediatrician and neonatologist, Dr. Angela McGovern, M.D. from the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
"Too much water can not only dilute the salts in the body putting infants at risk for seizures, it can make babies feel full without providing them any nutrition. For best health and nutrition in the first year of life, the only fluid an infant needs is breast milk or properly prepared formula."
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