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When can babies drink water and how to offer it

Updated Apr 13, 2023

Drinking enough water is essential for optimal health and well-being. Babies have the largest percentage of body water, about 78% at birth. By 1 year of age, that amount drops to about 65%. 

But what does this mean for babies? Should they be drinking water throughout the day like the rest of us? The answer is — it depends! Keep reading to find out when it is appropriate to start offering your baby water and how much they need.

IN THIS ARTICLE:

Why is it important for babies to drink water?

When can I introduce water to my baby?

How much water should babies drink?

How should I offer water to baby?

What are signs of dehydration in babies?

Water for babies FAQ

Drinking water is important for everyone, including babies, since it has so many vital functions in the body. Water helps to carry nutrients throughout the body, lubricate joints, and regulate digestion and body temperature. As adults, we usually think of meeting our water needs by assessing the amount of water we drink each day. However, babies meet their needs a little bit differently. More on that below!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing water for babies from the age of 6 months, although breastmilk or formula will remain their main beverage until they reach 1 year. After that, water is the best-choice beverage alongside plain cow’s or nondairy milk. 

Babies can begin to have small amounts of water when they start solids at around 6 months of age. Offer a few sips of water from an open cup or straw cup at mealtimes. Any water your baby drinks at this age is meant to get them used to its taste and introduce the skills needed for cup drinking. It is not intended to replace breastmilk or formula, which still provides all the water your baby needs. 

Babies younger than 6 months should not be offered water or any other fluids besides breastmilk or formula, which is sufficient, even on hot days. Introducing water too early or diluting formula or breastmilk with water can be dangerous for your baby because it affects the balance of electrolytes in the blood and can lead to seizures. 

Water needs may vary quite a bit from baby to baby as well as from day to day. Factors such as the weather and activity level can impact hydration needs. Additionally, high water-containing foods such as fruit, vegetables, and soup can also contribute to water intake. 

The best way to know if your baby is adequately hydrated is to watch their diapers. Babies should have at least 6 wet diapers a day to indicate they are adequately hydrated. If you aren’t seeing that, watch for other signs of dehydration and talk to your baby’s pediatrician. 

Use the table below as a general guide, and visit Healthy Drinks, Healthy Kids for more expert information from leading health organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Heart Association.

0 - 6 months	6 - 12 months	12 - 24 months
None	4 - 8 oz	8 - 32 oz
Breastmilk and/or formula provide enough fluids.	Serve a small amount at mealtimes once solids are introduced.	Serve at meals and snacks, as well as throughout the day.

• At meals and snacks

Start by offering your baby small amounts of water at meals and snacks. This allows your baby to get used to the taste of plain water and start developing cup-drinking skills. It’s best to keep water to about 1 - 2 oz at a time, so it doesn’t displace breastmilk or formula. Stay with the lower end of the range until your baby is taking larger meals.

• In a cup

Offering water in a cup helps babies build lifelong skills such as drinking from a cup or straw. Make sure to choose appropriately-sized cups — they need to fit into small hands — and don’t be afraid to help them! Start with small amounts of water and work your way up as baby masters drinking from a cup.

• Consider foods

Fruits, vegetables, and anything that is liquid at room temperature, like soup or popsicles, all contribute to your baby’s overall water intake. Sometimes it may feel like your baby isn’t consuming a lot of liquid, but when you also take a look at their food intake, you may realize they are getting more than it appears. 

Making smoothies or popsicles at home is a fun way to offer water as well as to try new fruits and vegetables. They can be especially useful for babies who need extra calories or nutrients because you can pack a lot in a small amount of volume. 

• Throughout the day 

When your baby turns 1 year old, you can begin to have water available more frequently throughout the day. Place a cup out in the kitchen or playroom and let them know they can drink as needed.  

Dehydration can be dangerous for a baby and severe cases may require hospitalization. If you suspect your baby might be showing signs of dehydration, it’s best to call your pediatrician right away so they can guide you on what’s best to do. 

Note: conditions such as vomiting and diarrhea put your baby at increased risk for dehydration. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the following are signs of dehydration: 

Mild to moderate dehydration:

• Less activity than usual

• Less than six wet diapers a day 

• Less saliva or cracked lips

• Fewer tears when crying

• Sunken soft spot on the head

Severe dehydration (all the symptoms listed above, plus):

• Very fussy or overly sleepy

• Sunken eyes

• Cool, discolored hands and feet

• Wrinkled skin 

• Only 1 or 2 wet diapers in 24 hours

• Dry tongue and mouth

• No tears when crying

Babies can begin using a cup at about 6 months when they start to eat solids. Most feeding experts recommend starting with an open cup or a straw cup as these help to strengthen the muscles used for eating and chewing. Babies will continue to develop their cup-drinking skills through to toddlerhood.

Water for babies FAQ

Q: Can babies have too much water?

A:

Yes, babies can have too much water, and those under 6 months are at an increased risk. Once babies are eating solid foods, it is rare, but it can happen. You can avoid water intoxication in babies by following proper guidelines for introducing water and giving them an age- and activity-appropriate amount. Additionally, do not dilute formula or breastmilk with water.

Q: When can you start giving water?

A:

Babies can begin to drink small amounts of water with meals when they start solids around 6 months.

Q: Do breastfed babies need more water than formula-fed babies?

A:

No, breastmilk is about 87% water, and formula is regulated and made to resemble breast milk. So there is no reason breastfed babies would need more water than formula-fed babies. After 6 months of age, all babies who have been started on solid food should follow the same water guidelines, regardless of whether they are receiving breastmilk or formula.

Q: Is tap water bad for babies?

A:

Generally, tap water is safe for babies. However, it’s best to check to see if your tap water contains fluoride. Using fluoridated tap water to mix formula all of the time increases the risk for dental fluorosis, characterized by faint white markings on their teeth. To reduce the risk, use low- or no-fluoride bottled water to mix formula some of the time. You may also want to verify the safety of the water source before consuming it.

Q: Can babies have sparkling water or flavored water?

A:

It’s best to stick with plain water for babies. This helps them learn to like the taste of plain water before other beverages are introduced while avoiding any additives, sugar, or dissolved minerals that may not be suitable for babies.

Q: How do I know if a baby is drinking enough water?

A:

If your baby has at least 6 wet diapers a day, they are adequately hydrated. This means they are getting enough fluid (including water) from all sources: breastmilk, formula, water, and food.

Q: Is it ok if I serve water in a baby bottle?

A:

It’s best to offer baby water from a cup, if possible. This allows your baby to build important cup drinking skills and helps prevent your baby from consuming too much water. It’s easier to drink from a bottle, which may cause them to drink too much, thus displacing breastmilk, formula, or food with water unintentionally.

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

Author of article Belmer Sergey Viktorovich

535302 views

March 14, 2023

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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.

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 consumption. 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Pediatric gastroenterologist, MD, professor.

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