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When can babies drink water and how to offer it

Updated Oct 10, 2022

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.

when, how much and what kind of water to give a newborn and children with breastfeeding and artificial?

Does a newborn baby need water? This question worries many young mothers, while the recommendations of doctors differ: some believe that the baby does not need any additional fluid, while others argue that the child needs water. Let's try to figure out how and when to give your baby water and how water for newborns differs from ordinary drinking water.

Breast milk is both food and drink for the baby, since it is 90% water and in the first weeks of life it is able to maintain the fluid balance at the required level. Mother's milk helps the process of digestion, as it contains all the enzymes necessary for this. Moreover, the mother's body is able to very accurately adapt to the needs of the child, adjusting the composition of milk depending on the situation. For example, if a baby needs more fluid, he will breastfeed more often and, as a result, receive more unsaturated foremilk, which quenches thirst and restores electrolyte balance.

It may seem that the child does not need water, but this is not so: there are situations when it is indispensable. Indeed, up to three months, babies should be given water only on the recommendation of a doctor. Babies older than four months can be fed quite calmly - contrary to popular belief, this does not lead to the child's refusal to breastfeed, and even more so to his exhaustion. If the baby drinks water with pleasure, there are no contraindications for this. But the lack of fluid for the baby is very dangerous - adults should not forget that the metabolic rate in newborns is very high and moisture loss is also significant.

However, parents need to know when and how much water should be given to newborns and how the type of feeding affects fluid requirements.

Water while breastfeeding

Newborns can drink water from four to five months. It is better to do this between feedings - if the baby feels thirsty, he drinks water with pleasure. How much water can you give a newborn? Here, as in adults, everything is individual. Usually, pediatricians advise giving a certain amount of liquid per day with a calculation of no more than 100 ml per kg of weight, but this also includes breast milk. So the water, in fact, remains 30-70 ml.

You can feed your newborn from a bottle with a nipple or even from a spoon – this will facilitate the introduction of complementary foods later, because the baby will already know how to use a spoon. But the most important rule is voluntariness: if the child is naughty and does not want to drink, you should not insist.

Water with formula or formula feeding

Formula feeding differs markedly from natural feeding - infant formula contains much more protein than mother's milk, so the baby needs additional fluids. Lack of water, especially when feeding too rich formula, can lead to constipation in children. The extra water will help empty the bowels and make your baby feel better.

With artificial or mixed feeding, water can be given earlier than with breastfeeding. Unlike formulas, which should be 36-37°C, the water can be slightly cooler: 26-30°C in the first one or two months of life, and at an older age - about 20°C.

All paediatricians agree that with the introduction of complementary foods, water becomes essential. Usually, babies who received only milk or formula before the introduction of complementary foods begin to drink solid food only after one to two months. And babies, accustomed to water, are not capricious and drink it with pleasure after each feeding.

When is water given to newborns?

Babies should be given water some time after meals and between feedings. Do not forget that the volume of the child's stomach is very small, which means that he simply cannot drink a large amount of water at once - a few teaspoons will suffice for a start.

In some situations, the need for fluid increases. Most often, overheating and very dry indoor air leads to a lack of moisture. Many parents are so afraid of colds in a child that they wrap him in clothes and do not observe the temperature regime in the children's room, which leads to a decrease in air humidity and dehydration of the baby's body. The optimal temperature for a nursery is 20 ° C, and humidity is 50–70%. Dry air leads to increased breathing, a decrease in the protective functions of the body, difficulty swallowing and colic. And in summer, in hot weather, overheating is added to all these problems, because of which the child sweats and loses precious moisture. It is easy to determine the first signs of dehydration: this is rare urination (normally - about 20 times a day), dryness of the mucous membranes, skin, tongue. In such a situation, water is simply necessary.

Many paediatricians recommend giving newborns water to drink even when they are sick - with fever or colic, which are easily recognized by tucked up legs, a tense tummy and restlessness of the child. A few sips of warm water can also help with hiccups.

What kind of water should I give my baby?

Boiled water and water from open sources

Many parents believe that children should drink boiled water, but this is a misconception. Boiling leads to the destruction of only part of the bacteria, in addition, such water contains in excess chloride compounds that are very harmful to young children. Water from open sources is also dangerous - it may contain a high content of nitrates and bacteria from the soil and other harmful impurities. And, of course, babies should not be given healing mineral or sparkling water.

In addition, water from ordinary filter jugs designed to purify water for adults is not suitable for infants.

Bottled water

Baby water is sold in pharmacies and supermarkets. As a rule, on the bottle it has a special marking and information that this product has been tested by the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Water for a baby is different from the usual "adult" drinking water. In particular, other requirements for the content of minerals are imposed on it:

• total minerals less than 200–300 mg/l;
• calcium - less than 60 mg/l;
• potassium less than 5–20 mg/l;
• sodium less than 20 mg/l;
• magnesium - less than 10-35 mg/l.

Boiling such water is not required, but it can be stored only for a day from the moment of opening and always in the refrigerator. The best container for bottled baby water is a glass bottle or polycarbonate container (bottles made of this material are marked with the number seven on the bottom).

Specially filtered water

Regardless of the brand of bottled baby water and price, it is impossible to be completely sure of its quality. Alas, there are also unscrupulous manufacturers, in addition, product quality may suffer during improper transportation or poor storage conditions.

Many parents, striving to give their children the best from the first days of their lives, “prepare” children's water on their own. Purifying water with quality home filters allows them to be sure that the filtered water does not contain harmful chemicals and bacteria. Moreover, advanced filters enrich the water with the necessary microelements that a growing child's body needs so much. Using water purification systems, parents themselves control its quality - this gives them the opportunity not to doubt the result. Filtering water at home is somewhat similar to making fresh juice: in both cases, the consumer can follow the process and get a natural and fresh drink. Meanwhile, it is impossible to control the technological process in large-scale production, and it is not known exactly how useful such a product is.

Another benefit of using home filters is their cost-effectiveness. Water obtained by home filtration is ten times cheaper, although it is not inferior in quality to water from a supermarket, and often even surpasses it. It is suitable both for feeding the baby, and for preparing milk mixtures and cereals for him. For its natural taste and crystal purity, older children will also love it, for whom water filtered according to all the rules will also be very useful.

Water should be included in a child's diet from birth. It is vital that it undergoes thorough mechanical and biological purification and has a balanced composition of useful substances. When using bottled water, it is useful to carefully read the information on the label. As with any other product, it is advisable to take a bottle with a fresh production date. When using filtered water, keep an eye on the expiration date of the filter, clean or replace the elements of the device in a timely manner.

whether to supplement the baby with breastfeeding and artificial feeding, how much water a child can drink

The birth of a baby always involves a lot of questions from parents. Some of them are, of course, related to proper nutrition. And almost always, the first thing moms ask is whether it is necessary to give water during breastfeeding. Will it harm digestion and stool? And if supplemented, then with what water, how often and from what? Let's take a look at all the nuances in order.

Contents: Hide

1. When a baby needs water
2. What are the dangers of drinking water early
3. General advice on supplementation

When a baby needs water

he is breastfed, with normal assimilation of mother's milk and regular weight gain, water is not required. Mother's milk quenches thirst and protects against dehydration. However, there are doctors who express a different opinion from this. So, when should you supplement your newborn?

• With artificial and mixed feeding. Mixtures, even as close as possible in composition to mother's milk, are absorbed longer, and water helps their absorption. Therefore, the use of water in this case is mandatory.

• When breastfeeding with insufficient lactation. Unfortunately, it happens that the mother's milk is not enough for the baby. If the baby cries often, does not gain weight, supplement the baby with water and immediately contact the pediatrician about mixed feeding or a complete transition to the mixture.

• In hot weather. When it's hot, fluid leaves the body much faster, and feeding a child with milk all the time means forcing him to overeat. Water in this case is your salvation.

• For hiccups. As you know, water helps to cope with hiccups. This is true not only for an adult, but also for a baby.

• For vomiting and diarrhea. They wash fluid out of the child's body, which threatens with dehydration. If you experience these problems, give your baby as much water as possible.

• To bring down high temperatures. If the baby is sick, his temperature has jumped, then the first advice given by all doctors, without exception, is to drink as much as possible. Milk at a high temperature is contraindicated, only fermented milk products are allowed. Therefore, the best way out for mommy will be to give the child some water.

• When the child is older than two months. If a newborn can only get by with mother's milk, then the baby is a little older - no longer. The body grows, as do its needs. Many pediatricians from 2.5 months already recommend to supplement the baby not only with water, but also with dried fruit compotes.

IMPORTANT! Irina Vostrikova, a pediatrician at the MEDSI clinic, believes that babies do not need additional water, because breast milk is already 90% water. However, this may be necessary if the mother herself does not drink enough fluids. So, a nursing mother should drink at least 2 liters of ordinary non-carbonated water per day.

In hot weather, the baby can be offered water between feedings in a volume of 10-15 ml: if the baby refuses, then now he does not need additional liquid. The same recommendations are valid for artificial feeding. It is better to give water to the child with a spoon, and not from a bottle. Because when feeding from a bottle, the baby has a "sucking confusion", and he begins to take the breast incorrectly - because of this, the effectiveness of stimulating milk production is reduced, and the nipples are injured.

What are the dangers of early water intake? What problems in a newborn can cause frequent water intake?

• Malnutrition. If you give your baby water shortly before feeding, the liquid will take place in the baby's stomach, and he will eat less milk. As a result, the baby will remain hungry, his body will receive fewer nutrients, and the mother will not empty the mammary glands, which threatens to stagnate milk and reduce lactation.

• Violation of the intestinal microflora. The use of water leads to the appearance in the body of a newborn of the first bacteria, which are not always beneficial. This is a load on the intestines, the likelihood of developing dysbacteriosis.

• Burden on the kidneys. The introduction of water into the diet makes the kidneys work more intensively, and the body of a newborn baby may not be ready for this.

IMPORTANT! Elena Shmakova, consultant on breastfeeding and baby care at the Lada Center, teacher of the WHO/UNICEF course "Breastfeeding Counseling", adds that supplementation poses a risk to breastfeeding itself. The fact is that milk is produced in response to sucking, and its amount directly depends on the frequency of breast stimulation. If you give your baby water to drink, he will suckle less often and less, which means that the stimulation of the mammary glands will decrease.

She is sure that the baby should be supplemented only when breastfeeding does not help with the dehydration of the baby due to malaise. Dehydration can be detected, for example, when the number of urination is less than 6 per day, while the urine is concentrated, dark, it is less than usual.

Read also: Can children be given mineral water

General recommendations for supplementation

baby.

• Only purified water should be given. The best option would be to buy bottled water. Today in stores you can find bottles of water intended for children: it has gone through all possible purifications and is devoid of harmful bacteria. It is also possible to use well water at home, which has passed through special children's filters. Avoid using tap water, even filtered.

• Use only boiled water. By doing this, you significantly reduce the risk of crumbs of harmful bacteria entering the body (almost all of them die when boiled).

• If possible, use silverware. Today, at affordable prices, you can find children's spoons and cups made of silverware. This metal has amazing properties to destroy pathogens.

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