When Can Babies Have Water and How To AVOID Water Intoxication?

Question: when can babies have water?

Answer: Generally speaking, your baby should not drink water until they are about 6 months old.

Until then, your baby will meet all their hydration needs from breast milk or formula.

Once your baby is 6 months old, it is okay to give him water when they are thirsty. But do not overdo it, or you could cause your baby a stomach ache or make them too full to eat well.

After the first birthday, when your baby eats solids and drinks whole milk, you can let them drink as much water as s/he wants.

When Can Babies Have Water? (FAQ)

If you have a baby at home that is under 6 months old, you should never give them water.

Water can affect the baby’s ability to maintain adequate nutrition or even get sick.

Once your baby is 6 months old, it is okay to offer them a little water, but you should still give breast milk or formula.

Q: Why Can’t Babies Drink Water?

Answer: If you give a baby water and it’s under six months, it may affect the absorption of nutrients from breast milk or formula. It can also make the babies stomach feel full, reducing its desire to eat.

In rare cases, a baby who drinks too much water may develop water intoxication, which can cause seizures and even coma. Water intoxication occurs when too much water dilutes the concentration of sodium in the body. This changes the electrolyte balance and swells the tissue.

Q: Accidentally Diluted Baby Formula?

Answer: Do not try to dilute the formula by diluting it with water. Carefully follow the package instructions to prepare the formula and use the recommended amount of water. Adding too much water to your baby formula will not only risk water intoxication, but your baby will consume fewer nutrients than they need.

Q: Can a 1 Month Old Drink Water?

Answer: Water is not recommended for children under six months. Although a small amount of water does not hurt from time to time, too much water can cause electrolyte changes in a baby’s bloodstream This can lead to seizures and death, so it is best not to give any.

Q: When Can Babies Drink Tap Water?

Answer: No, not a new born baby. However, once your baby is six months old, you can give him a separate drink directly from the faucet. You can do this because tap water is generally safe but I would personally filter and or boil / distill it before giving tap water to a baby.

Q: Can babies drink bottled water

Answer: Yes, you can boil / distill bottled water for a baby over the age of 6 months and even add it to formula feed (read formula package for full instructions). Since bottled water is usually not sterile, it must be distilled like tap water before preparing the feed. Always use distilled water with a temperature of at least 70 ° C to obtain food. Remember to let it cool before you give it to your baby.

Distill Water For Baby Water

When your baby is over the age of 6 months then you can give them water. Distillation is one of the best ways to remove all impurities from water. The video below shows how to quickly and easily use a water distiller machine.

Bottled Water For Babies?

Fully breastfed babies do not need water until they have started eating solid foods.

Bottle-fed babies may need a little extra water in warm climates.

For babies older than six months, use tap water from the kitchen.

BUT you will have to distill and then cool the tap water, since it is not sterile directly from the tap.

Bottled water is not recommended for preparing prepared feed.

This is because it may contain too much salt (sodium) or sulfate.

But after 6 months they can drink water and I recommend the Nursery brand. They are experts in making bottled water for babies.