6 month old water intake

Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 & Younger

By: Natalie D. Muth, MD, MPH, RDN, FAAP

What you offer your child to drink in the first 5 years of life can shape taste preferences for a lifetime. But from plant-based and toddler milks to 100% juice, stevia-sweetened fruit drinks and flavored milk, the options and the marketing can be overwhelming.

Thankfully, the best-choice beverages are really simple: water and plain milk.

Plain water provides the hydration all of us need to live. Milk provides calcium, vitamin D, protein, vitamin A, and zinc―all essential for healthy growth and development.

*Children ages 12-24 months are advised to drink whole milk and children 2 and older nonfat (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. For information about short-term use of cow's milk for children over 6 months of age during the current baby formula shortage, read this article.

How do young children develop unhealthy beverage preferences?

We know children who drink mostly water and plain milk from a young age tend to continue drinking them as they age. But we also know, bad habits form early. Young children who are introduced to sweet drinks at a young age develop a strong preference for them―making water and plain milk a harder sell. PS: The same goes for food preferences.

When can I give my baby water? How much is ok?

Around 6 months, you can start offering your baby a little bit of water (4-8 oz/day, 0.5-1 cup/day) in an open, sippy, or strawed cup. This helps develop cup drinking skills and familiarity with water. If you live in an area where the water is fluoridated, drinking water will also help prevent future tooth decay. Note that the actual water intake is unlikely to replace much breast milk or formula at this point. Remember, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months. When you add solid foods to your baby's diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months. Also see How to Safely Prepare Formula with Water.

At 12 months, you can transition your baby from breastmilk or formula to whole or reduced-fat milk. You can continue to breastfeed your baby after 12 months for a year or more, as long as you and your baby want to. For formula-fed babies 12 months and under, see Why Formula Instead of Cow's Milk?.

What about all of the other types of drinks?

While drinking only water and plain milk is the ideal, we know young children may be exposed to any number of other drinks at some point.

Here's why most of these other drinks should be avoided,

• 100% juice: it's very sweet tasting and lacks fiber, an important nutrient found in whole fruit. Once children are exposed to juice, it may be difficult to limit portions or get them to prefer plain water. In some cases where whole fruit is not available, giving your child a small amount of 100% juice (no more than 4 ounces per day in 2-3 year-olds and no more than 4 to 6 ounces in 4-5 year-olds) can provide some nutritional benefit. However, infants less than 1 year of age should not drink juice. Eating fruit is always preferred to drinking juice.

• Flavored milk. Chocolate, strawberry, and other flavored milks contain added sugars. Added sugars should be avoided in children less than 2 years of age. Children aged 2-5 also should avoid flavored milk to minimize added sugars intake and avoid developing a preference for sweet tastes. An early preference for flavored milk may make it more difficult to get them to accept regular milk.

• Plant-based 'milk.' For some children, a dairy allergy or milk intolerance may make it difficult to drink cow's milk. But keep in mind, most plant-based milks are not nutritionally-equivalent to cow's milk and may be lacking in important nutrients such as protein, vitamin D, and calcium. Other than soy milk, plant-based milks are not recommended for children to drink in place of dairy milk. Soy milk is nutritionally equivalent to cow's milk and is an acceptable alternative.

• Stevia- or artificially-sweetened drinks. The health risks of stevia or artificial sweeteners to children are not well understood. For this reason, it is best to avoid sweetened drinks, even if they are calorie-free. When children have a strong preference for sweet drinks, it can lead them to dislike or refuse plain water.

• Toddler milk. Toddler milks, often marketed by formula companies as "transitional" to wean from breast milk or formula, are unnecessary and potentially harmful to young children. These products contain added sugars and may fill a baby's stomach up so he or she is not hungry for healthier foods.

• Sugary drinks. Sugary drinks like sodas, sports drinks, fruit drinks, lemonade, sweetened water, and other drinks containing added sugars are harmful to a child's health. They increase the risk of excess weight gain, dental cavities, heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

• Caffeinated drinks. Caffeine in young children increases the risk of poor sleep, irritability, nervousness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. All caffeine-containing beverages are best avoided.

Editor's note: These early beverage recommendations are drawn from a report published by Healthy Eating Research, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the American Heart Association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

More information

• Ask the Pediatrician: With the baby formula shortage, what should I do if I can't find any?
• Choose Water for Healthy Hydration
• Fruit Juice and Your Child's Diet
• How to Reduce Added Sugar in Your Child's Diet
• Beyond Chicken Nuggets: Protein-Rich Alternatives for Picky Eaters
• Sports Nutrition for Busy Families and Busy Lifestyles

About Dr. Muth:

Natalie D. Muth, MD, MPH, RDN, FAAP, is a pediatrician and registered dietitian who practices general pediatrics and is the director of the W. E.L.L. healthy living clinic at Children's Primary Care Medical Group in Carlsbad, CA. She is author of the Family Fit Plan and co-author of Picky Eater Project, both published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Dr. Muth is also a current executive committee member of the AAP Section on Obesity and lead author of the joint AAP/AHA statement on public policies to reduce sugary drinks consumption in children and adolescents. She is also the AAP representative to the expert panel that developed the above beverage recommendations for children ages 0-5. Follow Dr. Muth on Twitter @drnataliemuth, Instagram @dr.nataliemuth, Facebook @howtoraisehealthyeaters, and visit her website drnataliemuth.com.

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

When Is It Safe to Give Water to Infants?

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

In this Article

• How Infants Stay Hydrated
• When Babies Can Start Drinking Water
• Making Sure Water Is Baby-Safe
• Risks of Water for Infants
• Water as Your Baby Grows

If you have a baby, you’re probably concerned about making sure they have enough water and nutrients to stay healthy. Even though your baby drinks breast milk or formula, is that enough to keep them hydrated? Yes. Here’s what you need to know.

How Infants Stay Hydrated

As an adult, water is the most hydrating thing you can drink. It quenches your thirst and helps all of your systems stay balanced. 

But children under a year old don’t need water like adults do. It can actually be dangerous for them. Babies get all their hydration from breast milk or formula.

When Babies Can Start Drinking Water

A baby should drink only breast milk or formula until they’re six months old. It has all the hydration and nutrition they need in the early months. 

Even when you start giving them purees or table food at around 6 months of age, breast milk and formula are still more important than water. But you can begin to introduce it. 

When babies are between 6 and 12 months of age, breast milk or formula continues to be a priority over water. But if you offer breast milk or formula first, you can then offer water, 2-3 ounces at a time. At this age, 4-8 ounces a day of water is enough. More than that may lead to water intoxication.

Making Sure Water Is Baby-Safe

Before using water to mix baby formula or offering a baby water for the first time, consider testing your tap water. While tap water may have fluoride that helps prevent tooth decay, it could also contain levels of lead that are unsafe for babies.

Most tap water in the U.S. is safe, with a few exceptions:

• If you have untested well water.
• If your water source has recently been contaminated.
• If your baby has low immunity‌.

If you’re worried about lead exposure and traces of chemicals in your water, install a filtration system or use distilled water instead which can be easily purchased.

Considerations for mixing formula with water. If you use tap water to mix formula, mix only one bottle at a time. Don’t  use tap water to mix formula in bulk amounts. 

A similar rule applies to water that you’ve boiled. Refrigerate boiled water within an hour, and throw it away if you don’t use it within 24 hours. Always allow the water to cool completely before mixing the formula. Hot water can burn your baby.

When you purchase formula, carefully follow the instructions on the container for mixing it with water. Instructions vary by brand. This will ensure your baby gets the right amount of nutrients and hydration. 

Mixing in too much formula may lead to constipation or dehydration. Mixing in too little formula may lead to malnutrition or water intoxication.

Risks of Water for Infants

Drinking too much water at a young age is very dangerous. Water causes an imbalance in sodium levels that may lead to:

• Seizures
• Brain damage
• Coma‌
• Death

Water intoxication leads to changes in behavior such as:

• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Muscle cramps and twitching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty breathing‌
• Weakness

Watch for signs of water intoxication and call your doctor immediately if you have any concerns.

Water as Your Baby Grows

Between the ages of 1 and 3, your toddler needs 4 cups of liquid per day. This is a transitional period that should include both water and breastmilk or formula. The older your child gets, the more water they need. There are several ways you can encourage your older child to drink enough water.

Flavor water with fresh fruit. Water is healthier than juice since many children’s juices are full of sugar. If your child prefers the taste of juice, use fresh fruit to flavor their water. Lemon, berries, mint, and cucumber are great additions.

Offer more fruits and vegetables. Encourage your child to eat more fruits and vegetables with high water content. These help them stay hydrated without forcing them to drink more water than they want. Hydrating vegetables include cucumber, tomato, zucchini, celery, and iceberg lettuce. Hydrating fruits include strawberries, watermelon, blueberries, cantaloupe, and grapefruit.

Make creative ice cubes and popsicles. Puree your fruit of choice with water and freeze it into ice cubes or popsicle molds.

Provide special drinkware. Use a fancy cup with favorite colors or characters. When you find ways to make water fun, your child is more likely to enjoy drinking it.

The child's need for water. Myths and truth. Let's figure it out!

Author of article Belmer Sergey Viktorovich

512098 views

12 December 2022

Login or register to save articles and products to your favorites

Water calculator

Water calculator - calculate how much water your child needs.

Water is the basis of life and a natural component of the human body. Children's bodies especially need proper water intake. After all, it is at an early age that the most important stages in the development of the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and immune systems of the body occur. nine0005

The right diet for a child is the basis of his health and further development. And the sooner you help your child form the habit of competent water consumption, the easier it will be for him to maintain a healthy and proper lifestyle in the future.

The body of a child is 80% water, and an adult - 60%. So, let's figure it out: how much water is needed for the healthy development of a child's body, what kind of water is useful, and how often should a child be offered a drink? nine0004

Expert opinion

These and other important questions on the topic are answered by Belmer Sergey Viktorovich , Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Hospital Pediatrics No. 2 of the Pediatric Faculty of the Russian National Research Medical University (RNIMU) named after. N.I. Pirogov.

Let's debunk the most popular myths about water, that is, the most popular misconceptions about its benefits, quantity, quality, and possible harm. nine0005

Myth #1: It is necessary to give your baby water from the moment of birth

It's a delusion. It all depends on the specific situation, whether the child is breastfed or not. How much and how often the child consumes breast milk or formula per day. Every age has different water needs. See for yourself:

Standards for the total daily water requirement of children

Child age	Water requirement per 1 kg. body weight
1 day	90 ml
10 days	135 ml
3 months	150 ml
6 months	140 ml
9 months	130 ml
1 year	125 ml
4 years	105 ml

The table values ​​take into account all the water that the child receives during the day. This is pure water, and various drinks, and soups, and solid food, which also contains water. nine0005

Based on the data presented in the table, you can easily calculate the child's need for clean water. So, for example, take a baby weighing 3 kilograms. According to the table, we calculate the daily need of the baby for water: 3 kg * 90 ml = 270 ml / day. If you know how much water from milk or complementary foods a child receives per day, it is not difficult to calculate whether additional water should be given to the baby.

As a rule, a breast-fed baby up to six months of age has enough water from mother's milk and does not require additional water intake. With the introduction of complementary foods, additional water is required for the child. nine0005

But once again I want to remind you that the rate of water consumption is a purely individual value, which depends on the activity of the child, the biochemical characteristics of the child's body, on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding air.

Myth #2: Bottled water should still be boiled

Bottled water does not need to be boiled. The technology of water preparation and bottling ensures its sterility throughout the entire shelf life. In this regard, boiling, aimed specifically at the destruction of microorganisms in water, is not required in this case. In all other cases, such as tap water, spring, well, etc., it is necessary to boil. And sometimes more serious methods of processing such water are required, but it is not recommended to give such water to children. nine0005

Myth #3: There is no difference between "baby" and "adult" water.

"Children's" water is distinguished by higher quality requirements and a physiologically balanced composition. Bottled water of the first and, especially, the highest category is subject to very strict requirements for its safety, in particular, for its chemical composition. In the case of "baby" water, the requirements for its composition are even higher. In its production, it is necessary not only to prevent the excess of the concentration of macro- and microelements, but also to ensure their balanced content, taking into account the characteristics of the child's body. nine0005

Myth #4: Water can be easily replaced with juices, fruit drinks and other drinks

Any drink is a source of water. However, the composition of various drinks, such as juices, fruit drinks, etc., contains other substances besides water, such as sugar, the excess of which may be undesirable for a child. In this regard, replacing “clean water” with other drinks should be done with great care. After the introduction of complementary foods, juices and fruit drinks appear in the composition of the child's diet in regulated volumes. nine0062

Myth #5: Baby water is a marketing ploy

It's a delusion. "Children's" water, as I have already said, is distinguished by special requirements for its composition, in particular, the balance of the amount of macro- and microelements, corresponding to the needs of the child's body.

Myth #6: Boiled and filtered water is no different from baby water

Boiling destroys microorganisms. The results of filtration depend on the characteristics of the filter, but, first of all, particles suspended in it are removed. nine0005

Myth #7: Water with any mineral composition is good for a child

The water contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, selenium and many other macro- and microelements that are necessary for the body. It is important that their content does not exceed the permissible concentration. On the other hand, it should be borne in mind that water is not the exclusive and even the main source of these substances: the child receives them, first of all, from other foods. However, the deficiency of certain minerals in water, which is often observed in various regions of the world, can lead to diseases. Thus, water without minerals is hazardous to health. nine0005

Myth #8: Boiled water is best for formula feeding

It's a delusion. It is best to use specially prepared industrially "baby" water. It is safe and has an optimal chemical composition.

These are the main myths about water in terms of baby food and consumption that are encountered today. For a more detailed study of the topic, consider a few more frequently asked questions that parents of babies contact us with. nine0004

What are the benefits of the minerals indicated in the composition? (Ca, Mg, K, bicarbonates, sulfates, fluorides, chlorides)

Minerals in the composition of water are necessary for the normal course of metabolic processes. Calcium and magnesium are essential for bone formation and the functioning of the nervous system, potassium is essential for the normal functioning of the heart and muscles, sodium is a key factor in almost all metabolic processes. It is very important that the chemical composition of water meets the needs of the body, which is achieved by certain technological methods in the production of special "children's" water. nine0005

How to persuade a child to drink water?

It's hard to persuade. The child drinks according to his needs. Feeling thirsty is an indicator of water intake. Water in a bottle or drinking bowl should always be nearby. Offer your baby first quality water, not sugary drinks.

How to teach a toddler to drink from a bottle?

In the first days and months of life, if necessary, you can gradually accustom the child to water, supplementing it with a spoon or from a bottle with a nipple. And if you start giving water at an older age, then you can immediately move on to a baby cup or sippy cup. nine0005

How to drink a child on a trip?

Special baby water is the best choice for a child while traveling. Such water is sterile and compensates for possible loss of salts, thanks to a balanced chemical composition.

How much baby water to take on a plane?

It depends on the age of the child and the duration of the flight, but not less than 100 ml. This is the minimum stock.

Should I give my baby water at night? nine0013

It is not necessary to water the child at night, but if such a need arises, offer the child a couple of sips of water. This is fine.

Should I give my child to drink after active games in the heat?

This must be done without fail, and not only after, but also during active games in the sun or in hot weather, since water is excreted from the body in significant quantities with sweating. Offer your baby water as often as possible. It is more convenient to take special "baby" water in a bottle for a walk, it has a small volume, but sufficient even for a two- or three-hour walk. nine0005

Children's water "FrutoNyanya" - from the first days of life!

Children's water "FrutoNyanya" is water of the highest category. Does not require boiling. The water is carefully balanced in terms of mineral composition and is suitable even for the smallest children.

Special children's water "FrutoNyanya" is available in 0.

33l, 1.5l and 5l formats

Choose the format that best suits you. A bottle of 0.33 liters is ideal for a walk. And for home use: preparing cereals, mixtures and pouring into a children's drinking bowl, bottled water of 1.5 liters will be convenient. A 5L canister is a great option for a large family or to take the required amount of water with you to the country. nine0005

Water quality control is carried out at all stages of the technological process of its production in the accredited testing center "FrutoNyanya". The test center employees take water samples at every stage of its production.

When extracting water from a well, the stage of water treatment, whether it is purification from mechanical impurities, the stage of normalizing the composition of water in terms of the content of macro- and microelements, the ozonation process or final filtration. Also, samples are taken without fail when pouring water into containers and its packaging. nine0005

All samples undergo mandatory testing for compliance with the requirements and standards. Product quality control is a continuous round-the-clock process of our center. If at least one discrepancy is found, the batch is not allowed to be sold.

Author of the article Belmer Sergey Viktorovich nine0005

Pediatric gastroenterologist, MD, professor.

All expert articles

Articles on nutrition, development and child health

• All articles
• Nutrition
• Health
• Development
• Family nine0211

Child's age

Login or register to save articles and products to your favorites

Nutrition

427 views

Hooray, cottage cheese: at what age can cottage cheese be introduced into complementary foods for a child

Login or register to save articles and products to favorites nine0005

Nutrition

378 views

Like a grandmother: when to introduce milk porridge into complementary foods

Starting complementary foods Dry cereals - a triple benefit in every spoon Benefits of ripe fruits in juices Fruit pieces from natural fruits and berries Does a child really need cow's milk? Rules for the introduction of complementary foods. How to choose a product? How to choose a high chair Do children need probiotics Diet of a nursing mother

Login or register to save articles and products to your favorites

Nutrition

249 views

Drinking yogurt for children: healthy and tasty

Login or register to save articles and products to your favorites

Nutrition

754812 views

Fruit purees: what are

Login or register to save articles and products to your favorites

Nutrition

511267 views

The child's need for water. Myths and truth. Let's figure it out!

Video: how to dress your baby for a walkWhat will ultrasound show? Video: How to choose the right first shoes for your baby How much sleep should a child have? Colic in newborns: how to help

nine0005

Nutrition

671 views

When to introduce potatoes into the first complementary foods?

Login or register to save articles and products to your favorites

Nutrition

1037 views

We eat together: when to transfer the child to the "common table"

Login or register to save articles and products to your favorites nine0005

Nutrition

7246 views

Feeding rules.

---

Learn more

• 
  Pregnancy pain in left side groin
• 
  Illness when pregnant
• 
  Blood clot 10 weeks pregnant
• 
  Thick white discharge when pregnancy
• 
  Womb at 8 weeks
• 
  Breast milk for cold sores
• 
  When do fetuses start moving
• 
  How to overcome tiredness during pregnancy
• 
  1St trimester constipation
• 
  My newborn has red spots on her face
• 
  Pre eclampsia care plan