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When Can Babies Drink Water? What Is The Right Age?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), babies who are breastfed do not require additional water since breast milk contains over 80 percent water and is sufficient to meet the fluid requirements of your baby. Children who are bottle-fed will remain hydrated by consuming their formula [1].
In the first six months of life, a baby requires only breast milk or infant formula for nutrition and hydration.
When Can Babies Drink Water?
In terms of water, babies have some very special requirements, so here is a comprehensive list of facts that will answer all your questions concerning your infant's water needs.
- Breast milk contains 80 per cent water, and your baby will be able to meet their water requirements on their own by the age of six months [2].
- Infants who are formula-fed should not be given water separately nor should too much water be added to the formula [3].
- As soon as your baby reaches six months of age, you can give them small sips of water. If your baby has started solid food, make sure you increase the amount of water you give them.
- You should not give your baby too much water because it can cause an imbalance of sodium and other electrolytes in the body, which is called water intoxication [4].
- If your baby suffers from constipation following the introduction of solid food, it indicates that they are not getting enough water. It is important for you to increase the amount of water you provide your child.
- In the early stages of weaning, you should give your baby a few sips of water every hour. Once your baby has been weaned away from breast milk, you should give them a few sips of water every few hours [5].
- It is safe to give your toddler unlimited access to water once they reach the age of one. Allow the toddler to drink as much water as they want [6].
What is the appropriate age for babies to start drinking water?
A baby under 6 months of age needs only breastmilk or infant formula. Once your baby reaches 6 months, you may add small amounts of water, if needed, to their breastmilk or formula feeding.
Is water unsafe for babies under 6 months?
For babies under six months of age, breast milk or formula is both a source of nutrition and drink. Breastmilk is all they need, regardless of the weather. Breastmilk contains all the nutrients and factors they need at this age. The consequence of giving your baby water is that they will consume less breastmilk or formula [7][8].
The ingestion of excessive amounts of water or excessively diluted formula can also have a detrimental effect on your baby. This is due to the fact that large amounts of water can affect the concentration of certain nutrients in your baby's blood.
On A Final Note...
There is no point in forcing your baby to drink water. This is because it is important for the child to choose to consume the water on their own terms.
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