How much water 7 month old

When Is It Safe to Give Water to Infants?

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on November 27, 2021

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.

When and How to Serve Water to Babies and Toddlers

There are many opinions on water consumption for infants, babies, and toddlers. However, most medical institutions agree that water should not be offered before 6 months of age. Too much water can displace valuable nutrition from breast milk or formula and imbalance an infant’s electrolytes. Furthermore, most health care professionals agree that water isn’t necessary for the first year of life as breast milk and formula are comprised mostly of water.

When water is introduced, it should only be offered in an open cup or straw cup (never a bottle). Have a water bottle yourself? It’s fine to offer baby sips from time to time. Just keep tabs on how much your child is consuming before 12 months of age, when water intake needs to be more carefully monitored.

Get guidance on cup drinking and much more in our Starting Solids Virtual Course.

Water may be introduced in small amounts after 6 months of age. When infants less than 6 months of age consume water, it puts them at risk of life-threatening electrolyte imbalance and inadequate intake of calories, protein, and essential nutrients. ^{1 2 3} Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, small amounts of water can be offered starting around 6 months as long as baby is growing and gaining appropriately, but water is optional before 12 months of age.

It’s worth noting that water consumption recommendations for babies vary across the globe. Check with your health department for specific recommendations in your country or region. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests offering up to 8 ounces (227ml) of water per day starting at 6 months old; however, it is our strong opinion that water should be limited to less than 2-4 ounces (59-118 ml) a day to avoid displacing valuable nutrition from breast milk or formula.⁴ If you’re concerned about baby’s hydration status, monitor the number of wet diapers and energy levels, and contact your pediatrician. Generally speaking, babies should have 4-6 good, wet diapers every 24 hours.

Offer water in an open cup or straw cup to help baby develop cup-drinking skills. 

Believe it or not, water is actually one of the hardest liquids to learn how to drink. Water is thin and flows quickly, which requires the tongue and swallow muscles to work very fast. Don’t be worried if your little one coughs when first learning to drink water. The oral motor skills required to drink from a cup or straw are very different than the movements required for breast or bottle feeding. Often, a baby coughs and sputters when the liquid is not well-contained in the mouth. As baby’s skills improve with cup and straw drinking, this coughing and sputtering should subside. If your baby continues to cough with water drinking after ample practice time (a few months), speak with your pediatrician. 

Avoid offering water in a bottle. Drinking water from a bottle may result in consuming too much water and does not benefit the development of oral-motor skills. Remember, bottle feeding isn’t a skill our babies need for life, so learning to drink water from a cup or straw is the way to go!

Offering small sips of water from an open cup or straw cup is an excellent way to teach your infant how to swallow water safely and adequately. Learn how to teach baby to drink from a cup.

When choosing an open cup, select a small cup that’s easy for baby hands to hold. Since you’ll be dealing with many, many spills, look for a cup that holds no more than 1-3 ounces. A small cup also makes it less likely that your baby will flood themselves with liquid. There are many cups on the market that fit this description, but a shot glass or small glass yogurt cup will do just fine, too!

Before choosing a straw cup, we recommend first teaching your baby the skills of using a straw by itself. Once your baby has the basic idea of the straw itself, you can choose any straw cup you prefer, knowing your baby can use it. 

Learn more about cups and why we recommend against sippy cups on our Cup Drinking page or by watching our video on cups and straws here.

Babies can drink the same water as the rest of the family. You do not need to purchase special water for babies. That said, always check the water quality in your area to ensure it’s safe for drinking; this information is available through your local health department.

A sip of sparkling water here or there is probably fine, but consumption of carbonated beverages can also lead to painful bloating, gas, and reflux. Many carbonated beverages and sparkling waters have added sodium, as well.

If your baby is younger than 12 months of age, no. Breast milk is comprised 87% of water and water is optional before one year of age.⁵

If your child is 12 months or older, water is necessary. The minimum water intake for children 12-24 months is around 8 ounces (237mL) a day. While breast milk can “count” as water for a toddler, the ideal is 8 ounces of water in addition to breast milk or milk. 

For a 12-month-old drinking less than 8 ounces of water per day, we advise offering water throughout the day and slowly work toward that 8 ounces minimum. Around 12 months, babies eat more solids, drink less breast milk, and need more water.

First, remember that almost 90% of breast milk and infant formula (standard mixing) is water! Children less than 12 months of age do not necessarily need extra water, but practicing cup drinking at this age is developmentally beneficial and can help acclimate your child to the taste of liquids other than breast milk or formula. 

In general, babies who make at least 4-6 good wet diapers per 24-hour period are usually adequately hydrated. Signs of possible dehydration include: 

• chapped lips
• few to no tears when crying
• sunken eyes
• dark urine color
• sunken soft spot (anterior fontanelle) on top of the head 
• fussy
• excessively sleepy

If you are ever concerned about dehydration, contact your child’s health care provider right away. Do not wait.

My doctor said I could start giving my baby water at 3 months / 4 months / 5 months. Is that wrong?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until at least 6 months before offering water to your child. Water given before 6 months of age can reduce nutrient intake and cause life-threatening electrolyte imbalances.^{6 7 8} The only liquids a baby should be consuming prior to 6 months of age is breast milk or formula.^{9 10} 

The best way to encourage water drinking is to model the activity yourself. In other words, show them how it’s done! 

If baby is truly not interested in learning to drink water from a cup: 

1. Try pouring water into an open cup in front of baby.
2. Tap the table to get baby’s attention.
3. Drink the water from baby’s cup yourself. 
4. Hand the cup to baby in the air and see if baby reaches for it or leans in. 

To help incentivize older toddlers, try teaching them how to pour water from a jug into their cup and let them pour their own water. The more you hand over control, the more your child will explore, touch, and, hopefully, drink. You can also try floating mint leaves or pieces of fruit in the water to add a pop of flavor and make it more exciting. Finally, offer them your straw! Many times it’s much easier to get a toddler to drink out of “daddy’s straw” or “momma’s straw” to try some water. 

Generally, you want to offer 1-2 ounces of water in a small open cup that babies can manipulate with minimal assistance. Bring the cup to baby but stop before it gets too close and give them a chance to reach and grab the cup themselves. Encourage this independence from the start and expect that it will be messy for a while and take some time.

Need help with cup or straw drinking? Check out our Cup Drinking page >>

It is best to refrain from offering water in a bottle. When water is first introduced around 6 to 9 months of age, the focus is more on skill-building than consumption. For this reason, it’s best to offer water in an open cup. 

Additionally, it’s much easier to consume too much water through a bottle, which can displace essential nutrients and lead to water intoxication.¹¹ Remember: we want to make every sip, gulp, and bite count for babies, and consuming too much water takes away from other forms of nutrition that can be offered instead. 

Introduce both an open cup and straw cup as early as 6 months of age with meals. Alternating between an open cup and straw cup (e.g., offering an open cup with breakfast and a straw cup at lunch) can be helpful so one skill doesn’t become too dominant. Check out our cup drinking page for more information on teaching a baby to drink from a cup and why you may want to avoid sippy cups entirely.

Yes! But aim for less than 4 ounces in infants 6-9 months of age and less than 8 ounces in infants 9-12 months of age. Also, consider serving avocado, beans, berries, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, or the “P” fruits: papaya, peaches, pears, plums, and prunes. And never hesitate to touch base with your child’s healthcare provider.

No. It is never recommended to dilute formula without discussing it with your child’s primary health care provider. Formula dilution can be extremely dangerous and lead to water intoxication.¹²

We don’t recommend them. Our feeding and swallowing specialists strongly recommend using open cups or straw cups rather than sippy or 360 cups. Sippy cups and 360 cups do not encourage oral-motor skills development. Drinking from an open cup or straw is a lifelong skill. For more information, visit our cup drinking page. 

After 12 months of age, should I have water available throughout the day?

Absolutely. Having water easily accessible throughout the day in addition to mealtimes is a great way to foster independence in your child while also maintaining hydration. Like in adults, toddlers’ thirst varies depending on their activity level and health status, as well as the weather.  As caregivers, we can model drinking water throughout the day to help children build healthy habits early on. 

For some children, water is instantly accepted. For children younger than 12 months old, monitor how much water is consumed in a day. If it’s more than 8 ounces, it’s likely too much. For younger infants, in particular, drinking too much water can result in water intoxication characterized by electrolyte imbalance and even seizures.¹³

Signs of overhydration or water intoxication include:¹⁴

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Excessive number of wet diapers (more than 8 per day)
• Confusion
• Change in behavior

If you feel like your child is excessively thirsty, this can also be a sign of an underlying problem. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s health care provider. 

Reviewed by:

Natalia Stasenko, MS, RD

Jennifer H. Min, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, PhD(c) 

Kimberly Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT

Rachel Ruiz, MD, FAAP. Board-Certified General Pediatrician & Pediatric Gastroenterologist

1. Houck, J., Ganti, L., & Vera, A. E. (2019). A Case of Hyponatremia-induced Seizures in an Infant Secondary to Water Intoxication from the Use of Almond Milk. Cureus, na.
2. Becker, G. E., & Remmington, T. (2014). Early additional food and fluids for healthy breastfed full-term infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, na.
3. Cohen, R. J., Brown, K. H., Rivera, L. L., & Dewey, K. G. (2007). Exclusively breastfed, low birthweight term infants do not need supplemental water. Acta Paediatrica, 89(5), 550–552.
4. Martin, C. R., Ling, P. R., & Blackburn, G. L. (2016). Review of Infant Feeding: Key Features of Breast Milk and Infant Formula. Nutrients, 8(5), 279.
5. Martin, C. R., Ling, P. R., & Blackburn, G. L. (2016). Review of Infant Feeding: Key Features of Breast Milk and Infant Formula. Nutrients, 8(5), 279.
6. Houck, J., Ganti, L., & Vera, A. E. (2019). A Case of Hyponatremia-induced Seizures in an Infant Secondary to Water Intoxication from the Use of Almond Milk. Cureus, na.
7. Becker, G. E., & Remmington, T. (2014). Early additional food and fluids for healthy breastfed full-term infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, na.
8. Cohen, R. J., Brown, K. H., Rivera, L. L., & Dewey, K. G. (2007). Exclusively breastfed, low birthweight term infants do not need supplemental water. Acta Paediatrica, 89(5), 550–552.
9. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Infant Food and Feeding.
10. World Health Organization. (2020). Infant and young child feeding.
11. Encyclopedia of Children’s Health. (2021). Overhydration.
12. Healthy Children. (2018). How to Safely Prepare Formula with Water.
13. Encyclopedia of Children’s Health. (2021). Overhydration.
14. Encyclopedia of Children’s Health. (2021). Overhydration.

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

Author of article Belmer Sergey Viktorovich

488529 views

August 25, 2021

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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.

A child's body is 80% water, and an adult's is 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?

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 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.

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.

FrutoNyanya special children's water 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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