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Here is a warning for all the mothers out there who are breastfeeding their babies. Do not add water to breast milk, it can lead to the death of a newborn baby. Even if this is not news to you or seems like common sense, there are people out there who fail to heed the advice and so, it is best to spread the word.
Recently, a couple in Georgia lost their 10 week old baby after they diluted breast milk with water. The little girl died from water intoxication and now the parents are on trial for the murder of their daughter. It started when Lauren Fristid, newborn baby Niveah’s mother, wasn’t producing enough breast milk.
She and the baby’s father, Herbert Landrell, claimed that they could not afford formula to supplement the milk, so they added water to it. For babies under the age of one year old, ingesting too much water is a very real danger that is completely preventable. It can cause a babies normal sodium levels to drop which may lead to seizures, brain damage and even death.
A baby should only be allowed 2-3 ounces of additional water at a time and offered it only after they have completely consumed their regular feeding of breast milk or formula. It is best to feed them only breast milk or formula because those fluids are what provides them with all the healthy nutrients they need.
After feeding baby Niveah the diluted milk she lost 20% of her body weight and died from a combination of water intoxication and starvation. Her parents only sought medical help when it was too late, they showed up at the hospital after she had already died. The couple told detectives that they did not believe in going to doctors and are now on trial for the murder of their child.
If you, or someone you know, need help with affording baby formula, there are programs in place such as WIC that offer vouchers and assistance for obtaining it. This tragic situation and lack of awareness was entirely preventable and a wake up call to others. Don’t give newborn babies under the age of one too much water, it can be dangerous or even deadly.
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