Do babies need water in XXXX Lanka?

@entity1 @entity1142 @entity11637 @entity3595
OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of exclusive breast feeding and the reasons for water supplementation, and investigate whether water is necessary in the humid climate of Colombo. SETTING: Well baby clinic in De Soysa Maternity Hospital for @entity1 , Colombo. SUBJECTS: 200 breast fed @entity1 born in a baby friendly hospital between the ages of 1 and 4 months. METHODS: The study sample was randomly selected. Sick @entity1 and those of working mothers were excluded. The mothers' knowledge of feeding practices was recorded in an interviewer administered questionnaire. The @entity1 ' weights, lengths and rectal temperatures were measured and the osmolality of urine estimated. The room temperature and relative humidity were recorded on each day of study. The data were analysed using the Chi-Square statistical test. RESULTS: 69% of mothers introduced supplementary fluids within the first 4 months, because of advice from grandmothers or relatives, thirst, @entity11637 or @entity1142 . 45% had introduced water with "rathakalkaya", a fluid traditionally given to @entity1 in @entity3595 Lanka. 90% of mothers had attended antenatal clinics in the De Soysa Hospital for @entity1 . 70% of mothers who gave supplementary fluids were aware of the importance of exclusive breast feeding. The range of urine osomolalities of exclusively breast fed @entity1 was 60 to 204 mosmol/kg. There were no significant differences in core temperatures and number of times urine was voided daily, or urine osmolalities, between exclusively breast fed and fluids-supplemented group of @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Despite delivery in a baby friendly hospital a majority of mothers supplemented breast milk with water or other fluids during the first 4 months. The advice of grandmothers had a significant influence on early feeding practices. Exclusively breast fed @entity1 were found to maintain water homeostasis under the hot, humid climatic conditions of this study.
