When to give your baby water?
H2O. We all drink it, it’s what keeps the world spinning. So it’s only natural that your newborn would need plenty of water too, right? WRONG.
In fact, if your little one is under 6 months old, they should be receiving both nutrition and hydration from breast milk or formula - not water.
Breast milk is over 80% water and provides your baby with all the fluid they may need. Babies who are bottle-fed will also be hydrated enough thanks to their formula!
Babies have really small tummies and those who get water before 6 months of age may get full off of the water alone, making them less interested in nursing. This could actually cause them to lose weight!
So when can your little ones start drinking water? Pretty much around the same time you’re introducing solids.
Around 6 months of age, your baby can start drinking a little water, about 4-8 ounces per day. An open, sappy, or strawed cup would work perfectly for it and would help develop cup drinking skills and familiarity with water at the same time! Water won’t replace much breast milk or formula at this point, which should be continued until at least 12 months.
At 12 months, your baby can be transitioned from breast milk or formula to whole milk - a maximum 16 ounces per day. So naturally, your baby’s water intake will also increase over time: About 8-32 ounces per day between 1-2 years of age and 8-40 ounces per day after age 2.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2019)
The information contained on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Water makes the world go round - but only if it is done so safely and under guidance from your child’s pediatrician.
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