Water For Babies: When to Offer It & Why You May Delay

August 20, 2024

Nourishing your infant from the start typically begins with exclusively feeding them breastmilk, formula, or a combination of the two. As they grow throughout their first year of life, both of these options offer the complete nutrition that a baby needs to develop. As your baby grows throughout the first year however, you may be wondering if they can and should have water, especially during seasons where the weather is warm and you worry about dehydration. We are going to dive in and discuss all of the details surrounding when and how to introduce your baby to water, as well as reasons why you may want to wait.

When to Introduce Water

For the first six months of life, it is recommended to not give your baby any water at all. From about six months to twelve months of age, 2-4 ounces of supplemental water is ok, however it is certainly not needed. Past the age of one, a sippy cup of water throughout the day is ok, but it also is not necessary. It is important to talk with your little one's care provider at this point to determine how much water they need as they mature into toddlerhood. Both breastmilk and formula offer complete nutrition and hydration, so adding supplemental water into the mix can actually disrupt their system.

Why You Should Wait to Offer Water

If your baby is formula fed, the water that is measured out to make their bottles is the perfect amount to support the vital nutrients that are present in the formula mixture. Likewise, breastmilk is primarily made up of water, yet it is also balanced by the nutrition in the mother's milk that offers a growing baby all that their bodies need for growth. Supplemental water in the first six months of life (as well as glucose water) can cause dehydration, excess weight loss, and even lead to malnutrition. This is because offering them water leaves babies without the necessary nutrients their bodies need at this time of rapid growth and may fill them up without leaving room in their small belly for their formula or breastmilk. Water can also be toxic to an infant's system as their kidneys are not designed to process supplemental water. This is due to the fact that water alone can also cause an imbalance of sodium levels in their tiny bodies, leading to brain swelling and even seizures. It is best to hold off on offering water for at least the first six months, for these very serious reasons.

If you begin to offer your little one solids past the age of six months, offering them a few sips of water to offset possible constipation can be safe, yet keeping it to a minimum and offering them plenty of fluids through the continued use of formula or breast milk is advisable.

How to Introduce Water

If you decide to offer your baby water once they have been introduced to solids, it can be a fun way to explore new concepts, such as using a sippy cup! While it is true that from six months to twelve months of age, babies still do not need supplemental water, offering them a sippy cup for a couple of sips during this stage is more about practicing a new skill than it is about the water itself. Making the Jump to a Sippy Cup can help lead you in the right direction if you are hoping to give this new concept a try!

What to Put in a Sippy Cup

While you may decide you want to try a sippy cup, yet avoid putting water in it, that is ok! Putting a familiar liquid such as formula or breastmilk in the sippy cup can help your little one practice these skills.

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Tips to Remember

If you are questioning when it would be best to offer your baby water, be sure to chat with their care prodiver, especially if there are specific circumstances that you need clarity on. Remember that all aspects of parenting offer the unique opportunity to explore new techniques and find new answers to your questions while growing your skill set as a parent. There is not always an exact answer or right or wrong, but having open conversations with professionals, as well as trusting your instincts and connecting others in the same phase of life can be immensely helpful in finding what is right for your baby!