When is it advisable to start giving babies water, mine is 2 months, could you please enlighten me on reflux in babies

At two months, your baby should not be having plain water. He/she gets adequate water requirements from breast milk and formula. Grandparents and older mothers tend to advocate (to their daughters and daughters-in law) giving babies water based on "experience". Giving your baby water at this stage interferes with his/her digestion of other nutrients from milk and may actually cause water intoxication where the minerals in his/her body get diluted; this interferes with the functions of her internal organs. We advise that you do not give water to your 2 month old baby unless advised by a paediatrician. When your baby is 6 months and you start weaning, you can then introduce water in small amounts with meals.

Reflux (Gastro-oesophageal reflux) refers to the backward flow of contents of the stomach upwards to the gullet. Sometimes these contents may flow back to the mouth; this is called regurgitation. The stomach contents are usually acidic and when they flow back to the gullet, they irritate it and cause pain; grown people would experience this as burning pain along the mid chest. In reaction, the baby may be distressed and may cry, and sometimes regurgitate or vomit and in severe cases, twist and turn as if having a fit. Many babies have reflux but it is usually mild. When reflux is mild, the baby can just usually be nursed propped up and if need be, use food thickeners to help the stomach contents remain and progress down the gut. In severe cases, the paediatrician would presribe drugs to reduce acid production, or promote forward movement of stomach contents. Usually, babies outgrow reflux as they become able to maintain an upright posture and weaning is started. Parents should be on the look out for drop in weight because of severe reflux as a warning sign to see a paediatrcian.