Sugar Water For Babies: Should You Give It?

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Sugar water for babies is often used for pain relief. It is prepared by dissolving regular sugar (sucroseⁱXCrystalline disaccharide sugar, which is the main constituent of white sugar. or glucose) in water. The solution is commonly used in some cultures as a supplement with breast milk. However, it is not recommended to serve sugar water to babies, especially those younger than six months (1).

Read on to know the use of sugar water for babies and why it is not recommended.

Why Is Sugar Water Used For Babies?

There are several anecdotal and traditional uses of sugar water for babies. Some of the common ones are listed here.

1. Aids in pain relief: In medical care, pharmaceutical-grade sugar water (or sweet sucrose water, as often called) is used to provide relief from pain. A research study showed that sterile sugar water could provide moderate pain relief caused by an intravenousⁱXReferring to within or into the vein. procedure, such as the use of vaccine shots during routine immunization in neonatesⁱXNewborns less than four weeks old.  (2) (3).

Several other research studies documented the use of sugar water prior to surgeries or circumcision to provide pain relief to neonates and babies (4).

Quick tip

Give your baby sugar water one to two minutes before the vaccination. Alternatively, you can dip a pacifier in sugar water and give it to the baby before, during, and after the vaccination (9).

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2. Support upset stomach: Sugar water or glucose water is often used as a home remedy to provide necessary hydration to babies with an upset stomach. Parents use homemade ORS (oral rehydration solution) made up of warm water, white sugar, and common salt.

Quick tip

Mix six teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon salt in one liter of water until completely dissolved to prepare homemade ORS (10).

According to Dr. Bidisha Sarkar, “It is not recommended to use salt and sugar water for babies, as it may not have the right balance of electrolytes and glucose that they need. Therefore, the best ORS for babies is one that is commercially prepared and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). You can get ORS packets from your doctor or pharmacist and mix them with clean water according to the instructions.”

3. Might relieve constipation: Infant constipation is usually common in formula-fed babies and breastfed babies who are transitioning to solids. In both cases, sugar water is used as a traditional home remedy to relieve constipation. It is believed that sugar draws additional water into the small intestine and softens the stool. However, there are no clinical studies to support this belief. It is only a home remedy and constipated babies need to be consulted by a pediatrician.

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4. Is used for hiccups: In some cultures, sugar water is used to relieve hiccups in babies. However, clinical studies are sparse on this.

5. Other purported uses: It was believed that sugar water could cure neonatal jaundice. However, on the contrary, research studies show that sugar water could be harmful in newborn jaundice (5). Doctors do not recommend sugar water to treat neonatal jaundice.

Sugar water is also considered a remedy for gas and colicⁱXProlonged crying or fussiness in a baby. relief. However, it is important for you to know that none of these uses are backed by scientific evidence.

How Is Sugar Water Given To Babies?

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The use of sugar water to relieve pain after a medical procedure should be done under medical supervision. A doctor may administer either through a syringe into the baby’s mouth or by placing it on a pacifier. Let the pediatrician decide and, if necessary, give sugar water to your baby.

If you want to manage pain at home, then the pediatrician can recommend appropriate medications or pain management techniques. You may also try psychological pain reduction strategies like NNS (non-nutritive sucking), breastfeeding, and skin-to-skin contact.

Why Is Sugar Water Not Recommended For Babies?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends “no use of water” for babies under six months of age  (6). For babies older than six months, water can be introduced in small quantities. However, the use of sugar water needs to be avoided due to the following reasons.

1. Could suppress appetite: Sugar water prepared at home can be high in sugar, which can suppress appetite thus affecting infant nutrition and milk intake in exclusively breastfed infants (7) The same can be expected in formula-fed infants, where the frequency and duration of the baby feeding could come down.

2. Can cause electrolyte imbalance: Ingestion of excess sugar water increases the risk of disturbing the electrolyteⁱXMinerals present in blood and bodily fluids that carry an electric charge and are responsible for essential body functions. balance in the body. In severe cases, a baby may even experience water intoxication that can cause seizures.

3. Baby might develop a preference for sweet foods: Generally, babies are born with a preference for sweet food. Regular intake of sugar water during their weaning phase may cause them to develop a preference for sweet foods. Besides, sugar water use does not serve any nutritional purpose.

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4. Possible exposure to certain health risks: Consumption of excess sugar water can put a baby at an increased risk of excess weight gain, dental cavities, heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease (8). This concern is crucial, especially in babies who are on infant formula, which may contain sugar in various forms, like corn syrup.

Excess sugar water intake may even cause an upset stomach and spit-up in babies.

If you intend to try sugar water for your baby older than six months, then you should do so after consulting a pediatrician.

How Is Sugar Water Prepared For Babies?

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There is no standard recipe to prepare sugar water at home. Try to use as little sugar as possible. Here is one such recipe that you may try under pediatric guidance.

You will need:

• 1 cup plain water (boiled)
• 1tsp sugar

How to:

1. Let the boiled water cool until it becomes slightly warm. Take a cup of water and add one teaspoon of sugar to it.

2. Mix the sugar in water thoroughly. Ensure no granulesⁱXSmall particles of a substance. are left as they could block the nipple of the bottle.

3. Taste a drop of the mix. If you feel it is concentrated, then add additional water. However, do not add more than 10-20ml since excess water could dilute the solution.

Note: Avoid giving more than the recommended amount of sugar water to your baby. A concentrated sugar solution can have detrimental effects on an infant’s health, in the long run. Therefore, use it only when required.

Infographic: Reasons For Not Giving Sugar Water To Babies

Although sugar water has potential benefits for your baby, it is not highly recommended by doctors. But why? With the help of this infographic, we tell you a few probable reasons why you must avoid sugar water for babies unless suggested by the doctor. Read on and ensure that you keep this infographic handy for the times you need it the most.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

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Dr. Abinaya MathankumarMD

Dr. Abinaya Mathankumar has around six years of experience as a pediatrician and a lactation consultant. She did her MBBS from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2012 and completed her postgraduation in 2015. She currently practices at Sakthi Hospital, Thillaipuram, Tamil Nadu, specializing in newborn care and growth and development. She presented her paper on Pediatric Epilepsy...more

• Dr. Bidisha SarkarMBBS, DNB

  Dr. Bidisha Sarkar is a pediatrician with nine years of experience. She did her graduation in Medicine from NRS Medical College, Kolkata and holds specialization in Pediatrics. Dr. Sarkar currently practices at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, India.
  
  Dr. Bidisha Sarkar is a pediatrician with nine years of experience. She did her graduation in Medicine from NRS Medical College, Kolkata and holds specialization in Pediatrics. Dr. Sarkar currently practices at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad, India.

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children. Then she worked as a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition coach in...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd

Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English. With a Functional English certificate from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she...more