Dante Carrillo
Water is essential for everyone, but when it comes to babies, the timing and amount of water introduced to their diet are crucial. In the first six months of a baby's life, breast milk or formula provides all the hydration they need, and water is typically not recommended. However, as babies start solids around the age of six months, small amounts of water can be introduced gradually. It is important to ensure that water does not replace breast milk or formula as the primary source of nutrition and hydration for babies under one year old. Let's delve into the specifics of when and how to add water to a baby's diet safely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to introduce water to a baby's diet | Babies under 6 months old should not drink water. Babies get all the hydration they need from breast milk or formula in the first several months. |
| How much water should be given to a baby | 4-8 ounces (0.5 to 1 cup) of water per day for babies between 6 and 12 months old. |
| How to give water to a baby | Water should be given in small amounts at a time in an open cup, straw cup, or sippy cup. Water should not be given in a bottle as it may result in the consumption of too much water. |
| Preparing water for a baby | If using tap water for babies up until they are 12 months old, boil and cool it to make it safe. Store-bought bottled water can be used if the seal is not broken. |
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What You'll Learn
Babies under six months old should not drink water
It is recommended that babies under six months old should not drink water. Babies under six months get all the hydration they need from breast milk or formula, which is about 85-87% water. Breast milk and formula contain the right amount of water to keep your baby healthy.
Breast milk and formula should be your baby's main drink until they are one year old. Babies under six months old who consume water are at risk of life-threatening electrolyte imbalance and inadequate intake of calories, protein, and essential nutrients. Introducing water to a baby under six months old can cause diarrhea, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances.
Babies under six months old are also at risk of consuming too much water, which can be dangerous. Water intoxication can occur if a baby consumes more than the recommended amount of water, which is 4-8 ounces (0.5 to 1 cup) per day for babies between 6 and 12 months old. It is important to monitor how much water your baby is consuming to avoid water intoxication.
If your baby is under six months old and you are concerned about their hydration, it is best to offer more frequent breastfeeds or bottle feeds. It is normal for babies to feed more often in hot weather or when they have a fever.
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Babies get all the hydration they need from breast milk or formula
Babies under six months old should not drink water. Breast milk or formula provides all the hydration they need in the first several months. Breast milk is about 87% water, and formula is about 85% water. This keeps babies well-hydrated, and they do not need any extra water.
Drinking water can lead to diarrhoea, malnutrition, or electrolyte imbalances in babies. Introducing water can cause a baby to breastfeed less or stop entirely, leading to malnutrition. It can also cause a lack of nutrients as babies who satisfy their appetite and their need to suck with bottles of water miss out on important nutrients they get from breast milk and formula feedings.
From six months onwards, babies can start drinking water, but it should be in small amounts—around 4 to 8 ounces (0.5 to 1 cup) of water per day. Breast milk or formula should still be their main drink up to 12 months of age. It is also important to ensure that the water is safe for your baby to drink. If you are using tap water, boil and cool it to make it safe for babies under 12 months.
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Water intoxication and other health risks
Water intoxication is a serious risk of giving water to babies under six months of age. This is because babies' bodies are not suited for water until several months after birth. Their tiny tummies and developing kidneys put them at risk for both nutrient loss and water intoxication. A baby's stomach is quite small, holding only about 1 to 2 teaspoons or 5 to 10 milliliters at birth.
When the kidneys are given more water than they can handle, the excess water ends up in the bloodstream, diluting the fluid and lowering the concentration of important electrolytes like sodium. This can lead to hyponatremia, which is a dangerous condition that can cause brain swelling and even death. Baby kidneys cannot process as much water as adult kidneys, so they are at a much higher risk of water intoxication.
In addition to water intoxication, there are other health risks associated with giving water to babies. One risk is that water can displace the nutrients and calories that babies need for growth and development. Breast milk and formula provide the vitamins, minerals, and proteins necessary for healthy growth, and giving a baby water can fill them up and leave less room for these essential nutrients.
Another risk is that water can be a source of lead exposure if the tap water is not properly filtered or distilled. High levels of lead in water can be unsafe for babies. Therefore, it is important to test tap water before using it to mix baby formula or offer it to a baby directly.
To avoid these risks, it is recommended to wait until a baby is at least six months old before introducing water, and even then, the amount of water given should be limited. Breast milk or formula should still be the primary source of hydration and nutrition for babies up to 12 months of age.
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Introducing water to a baby's diet
It is important to know when and how to introduce water to a baby's diet. Generally, babies under six months old should not drink water. Babies get all the hydration they need from breast milk or formula in the first several months. Breast milk is about 87% water, and formula is about 85% water. Breast milk or formula continues to be a priority over water for babies between 6 and 12 months of age.
From six months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water, if needed, in addition to their breast milk or formula feeds. The recommended amount for 6 to 12-month-old babies is about 4 to 8 ounces (0.5 to 1 cup) of water per day. You can start by offering a sippy cup with a bit of water in it while they're eating. They'll likely just chew on the cup or get a few drops out at first, and that's okay. It is good to offer water in a cup so they can learn to drink from it. Water should not replace your baby's breast milk or formula feeds.
If you feed your baby tap water, up until they are 12 months old, you should boil and cool it to make it safe. If you are using an electric kettle, boil the water until it switches off. If you are using a stovetop or pot, bring the water to a boil. Cool the boiled water to a safe temperature before giving it to your baby to drink. Store the cooled water in a clean and sterilized bottle in the fridge. Tank water is not always considered safe for your child to drink. Store-bought bottled water should only be used if the bottle has not been opened or damaged.
Water is healthier than juice since many children's juices are full of sugar. If your child prefers the taste of juice, you can use fresh fruit to flavour their water. Lemon, berries, mint, and cucumber are great additions. You can also make creative ice cubes and popsicles. Puree your fruit of choice with water and freeze it into ice cubes or popsicle moulds.
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Testing and preparing water for babies
Testing water for babies
It is important to test the water you use for drinking or preparing baby formula. This may be water from the faucet at your kitchen sink, a dispenser on your refrigerator door, a treatment system with a separate tap near your sink, or a filtration pitcher. Babies drink more water in proportion to their size than older children and adults, and their developing brains and organs can be more easily injured or damaged.
Public water systems are required by law to regularly test and treat their water to ensure it meets all US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. However, if you have a private well, it is your responsibility to keep your water safe and test it as needed. You can contact a laboratory to get sample containers and instructions, or ask your county environmental or public health services if they provide well-testing services.
If you are concerned about lead exposure and traces of other chemicals in your water, you can install a filtration system or use distilled water instead. You can also contact a professional well water testing company to get a water sampling kit and send it off for testing.
Preparing water for babies
If your baby is under 6 months old, they should only be given breast milk or infant formula, even in hot weather. From 6 months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water in addition to their breast milk or formula feeds.
If you are using tap water for babies up until they are 12 months old, you should boil and cool it to make it safe. If using an electric kettle, boil the water until it switches off. If using a stovetop or pot, bring the water to a boil, which means it should not stop boiling when you stir it. Cool the boiled water to a safe temperature before giving it to your baby to drink. Store the cooled water in a clean and sterilized bottle in the fridge.
Tank water should be boiled and cooled before feeding to your baby, and store-bought bottled water should only be used if the bottle has not been opened or damaged. You can offer water in a cup so they learn to drink from it.
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Frequently asked questions
Babies under six months old should not drink water. They get all the hydration they need from breast milk or formula, which is about 85-88% water. From six months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water, but only when they start eating solid foods.
The recommended amount for 6 to 12-month-old babies is about 4 to 8 ounces (0.5 to 1 cup) of water per day. However, it is important to remember that breast milk or formula should still be your baby's main drink up to 12 months of age.
While most tap water in the U.S. is safe, it could contain levels of lead that are unsafe for babies. If you are unsure about the quality of your tap water, you can install a filtration system or use distilled water instead.
It is not recommended to give your baby juice, especially before 12 months of age. Juice is full of sugar and can cause your child to crave sweetened drinks, leading to weight problems and tooth decay. Water is a healthier alternative, and you can flavour it with fresh fruit if your child prefers the taste of juice.
