Is it better to give my newborn sugar water or regular water?

Neither...: ...But sugar water is way worse. Babies do not need extra water until they start solids, and not much even then.

No need for water: The american academy of pediatrics recommends nothing but exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. If you choose to use formula, there's plenty of water in that. In brand new babies, water can make jaundice worse. There's no need for newborns to get any extra water, glucose-containing or otherwise.

NEITHER!: Newborns don't need water - at all - period! they get all the fluid they need from breast milk or formula, either of which is balanced just right with sugars, salts, fluids, etc. Water has no balance and, in fact, can lead to an imbalance in newborns that can be very dangerous.

Neither needed: A healthy normal newborn can breastfeed, and usually doesn't need other fluids. If the new baby seems low in blood sugar while in the hospital, the nurses will feed some sugar water or some formula temporarily (because the breast milk hasn't started production yet). After the first day or two, newborns should have normal, stable blood sugar levels, and so not need sugar water anymore.

Neither: Newborns don't need water at all. They need the calories from breast milk, if that isn't available then formula should be given to the baby.

Neither!: Water given to babies can cause "hyponatremic seizures" leading to death. Babies need breast milk or formula which has the exactly correct amount of electrolytes for baby needs!