• Contact us
• About us
• A-Z topics
• Symptom Checker
• Service Finder
• Linking to us
• Information partners
• Terms of use
• Privacy

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is provided on behalf of the Department of Health

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous clinical governance framework. This website is certified by the Health On The Net (HON) foundation, the standard for trustworthy health information.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.

Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site

• Internet Explorer 11 and lower

We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:

• Chrome by Google
• Firefox by Mozilla
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari by Apple

You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.

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.

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

Author of article Belmer Sergey Viktorovich

497523 views

August 25, 2021

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.

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 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.

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.

All expert articles

Drinking water for children and teenagers

How to help students learn better

Why does a child get tired quickly at school and stay home for hours at home? Is he just lazy and distracted, or is he really lacking energy? Because of what he cannot learn a poem and is constantly distracted by extraneous matters?

Is it worth punishing and scolding him for this, or maybe the reason is not laziness and unwillingness to learn? Let's consider one of the most probable reasons for the poor concentration and academic performance of schoolchildren.

Why water is important for health

A child's body is 80-90% water, the brain is 85%. Water is easily absorbed and affects all processes in the body. If you drink enough water, this is:

• Maintains optimal body temperature;

• Will increase the efficiency of the brain;

• Reduce the risk of allergic reactions;

• Improves metabolism by 20-30%. The energy of the child is also enough for sports.

Violation of the norm of water consumption leads to dehydration.

Why is dehydration dangerous? "Undrinking" 1-2% of the amount of water needed by the body per day reduces the ability in mathematics.

Neurons, “the main ones in learning”, the basis of the gray matter of the brain, begin to irrevocably collapse. For this reason, children easily lose concentration, learn the material worse and get tired quickly. Other dangerous consequences of insufficient water intake:

• Decreased immunity and resistance to infections;

• Weight gain;

• Development of allergic reactions;

• Dry skin;

• Formation of kidney stones;

• Digestive and metabolic disorders;

• Pain in back and joints;

• Deterioration of teeth and gums.

All these diseases are dangerous for adults, and especially for children. In childhood, all systems of the body are formed. That is why it is so important to provide the child with enough water. The sooner you teach your child to drink water properly, the easier it will be for him to stick to healthy habits in adulthood. And the less often you will go with him to the doctor.

Dehydration is like a disease. It is easier to prevent it than to treat its consequences later.

Are all drinks equally healthy

Unsweetened effects of sweet lemonade . For schoolchildren, the daily rate of water consumption is 1.7-2.5 liters. Or 6-10 glasses. Active fidgets and especially athletes drink more. Children aged 12 and over can drink the same water as adults. However, it is important not only HOW MUCH, but also WHAT the child drinks. The same amount of sugary soda or reconstituted juices with a lot of additives and sugar will not only do no good, but will harm.

Children quickly gain weight from lemonade, spoil their stomach and teeth. The sugar in soda and sugary juices is a fast carbohydrate. It does not bring any benefit to the body and is easily converted into fat. Carbon dioxide irritates the stomach, causes bloating and disrupts the digestive tract. The more a child drinks soda, the worse his body absorbs calcium.

If your children constantly drink sugary soda, they gain weight, spoil the stomach and teeth, and their bones become more fragile.

A good example is the USA. This country ranks 1st in the world in terms of the number of overweight people. The reason for this is fast food and soda. 70% of children do not drink plain water at all, preferring the advertised Pepsi and Coca-Cola. As a result, 32% of young Americans are much overweight. Therefore, in some US states and European countries, the state took over the supply of water to schools.

How juices harm a child's health . Store-bought juices contain about 10% sugar. Same as lemonade. Of the sugar substitutes, only lactose, fructose, licorice extract and glucose will not harm.

But juices with sweeteners like cyclamate, aspartame, isomalt or other “tablet-like” names are better for children not to drink. And in general, the less E in the composition, the better. Artificial ingredients can cause allergic reactions.

If a child constantly drinks juice, his teeth gradually deteriorate. Sugar and fruit acids damage tooth enamel. Result: erosion, increased fragility and accelerated wear of the teeth. It is difficult to “gnaw” the granite of science with such teeth.

Therefore, the easiest and most effective way to help a child's body is to give him pure bottled water of proven quality.

Which water is the healthiest

Give the children cool water. It is well absorbed and safe for children's teeth.

It is best to choose bottled water from artesian springs. The composition and safety, and even more so the benefits of drinking tap or filtered water, rightly raise doubts.

Water from springs, wells or pump rooms can also be unsafe. If our ancestors could fearlessly drink this water, then today we cannot afford it.

These water sources are usually located within the city and are often polluted by industrial and agricultural waste, household waste, acid rain, etc.

Therefore, artesian bottled water, extracted from wells with a depth of 100 m, is most suitable for children. It does not contain foreign harmful impurities and dangerous microorganisms.

Conscientious manufacturers of bottled water honestly indicate the useful substances and elements contained in their product, the source of its origin.

Quality water must meet official requirements for bottled water. It clearly stipulates the norms for the content of useful macroelements in water (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus) and microelements necessary for the body: iodine, fluorine, etc. (SanPiN 2.1.4.1116-02 “Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for the quality of water packaged in containers. Quality control").

More than 150 municipal, private, sports schools and kindergartens order water "Crystal" for their pupils.

"Crystal" contains all the necessary elements and helps children to learn and develop successfully. You can choose "Crystal", enriched with oxygen, fluorine or iodine.

Crystal oxygen

delivery from 2 bottles
2 bottles = 220 ₽/pcs
3 bottles = 210 ₽/pcs
4 bottles = 200 ₽/pcs
5 bottles = 190 ₽/piece
from 6 bottles = 180 ₽/piece

Quantity of item Crystal-oxygen

Buy

Crystal iodized

delivery from 2 bottles
2 bottles = 240 ₽/pc
3 bottles = 230 ₽/pc
4 bottles = 220 ₽/pc
5 bottles = 210 ₽/pc
from 6 bottles = 200 ₽/pc

Product quantity Crystal-iodized

Buy

How to teach your child to drink properly

1. Do not make sugary drinks taboo . Prohibitions only increase the desire for "forbidden fruit". It is better to explain in a language accessible to children how water helps in learning and that success and academic performance directly depend on the intensity of oxygen supply to the brain. This should not be a dry lecture, but rather an imaginative and engaging and interactive story.
2. Magic transformation of an old coin . It is better to see once than to hear 100 notations. Dip an old coin covered with patina or rust into a glass of Coke. After a couple of hours, it will noticeably “become younger” and clear of plaque. Explain to the child that the same thing happens in the stomach. Only this "cleansing" is unhealthy.
3. The way of instructions is difficult and long, the way of examples is short and persuasive , says the well-known wisdom. You can talk to children for a very long time and eloquently about how useful it is to drink water. But if an adult himself at the same time drinks only tea, coffee or beer instead of water, his spells may go to waste.

   ---

   Learn more

   • 
     How to deduct child support from taxes
   • 
     Is increased discharge normal in early pregnancy
   • 
     Life after delivery
   • 
     Abdominal tearing during pregnancy
   • 
     At what week does baby start kicking
   • 
     Help for teenage parents
   • 
     Is breastfeeding while pregnant bad
   • 
     Upper chest itchy
   • 
     How to make yourself more fertile
   • 
     Itching cream during pregnancy
   • 
     Squatting bar birth