![]() ![]() Place a cup out in the kitchen or playroom and let them know they can drink as needed. When your baby turns 1 year old, you can begin to have water available more frequently throughout the day. They can be especially useful for babies who need extra calories or nutrients because you can pack a lot in a small amount of volume. Making smoothies or popsicles at home is a fun way to offer water as well as to try new fruits and vegetables. Sometimes it may feel like your baby isn’t consuming a lot of liquid, but when you also take a look at their food intake, you may realize they are getting more than it appears. Make sure to choose appropriately-sized cups - they need to fit into small hands - and don’t be afraid to help them! Start with small amounts of water and work your way up as baby masters drinking from a cup.įruits, vegetables, and anything that is liquid at room temperature, like soup or popsicles, all contribute to your baby’s overall water intake. Offering water in a cup helps babies build lifelong skills such as drinking from a cup or straw. ![]() Stay with the lower end of the range until your baby is taking larger meals. It’s best to keep water to about 1 - 2 oz at a time, so it doesn’t displace breastmilk or formula. This allows your baby to get used to the taste of plain water and start developing cup-drinking skills. Start by offering your baby small amounts of water at meals and snacks. Serve at meals and snacks, as well as throughout the day. Serve a small amount at mealtimes once solids are introduced. Use the table below as a general guide, and visit Healthy Drinks, Healthy Kids for more expert information from leading health organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Heart Association.īreastmilk and/or formula provide enough fluids. If you aren’t seeing that, watch for other signs of dehydration and talk to your baby’s pediatrician. Babies should have at least 6 wet diapers a day to indicate they are adequately hydrated. The best way to know if your baby is adequately hydrated is to watch their diapers. Additionally, high water-containing foods such as fruit, vegetables, and soup can also contribute to water intake. Factors such as the weather and activity level can impact hydration needs. Water needs may vary quite a bit from baby to baby as well as from day to day. Introducing water too early or diluting formula or breastmilk with water can be dangerous for your baby because it affects the balance of electrolytes in the blood and can lead to seizures. It is not intended to replace breastmilk or formula, which still provides all the water your baby needs.īabies younger than 6 months should not be offered water or any other fluids besides breastmilk or formula, which is sufficient, even on hot days. Any water your baby drinks at this age is meant to get them used to its taste and introduce the skills needed for cup drinking. Offer a few sips of water from an open cup or straw cup at mealtimes. When can I introduce water to my baby?īabies can begin to have small amounts of water when they start solids at around 6 months of age. ![]() After that, water is the best-choice beverage alongside plain cow’s or nondairy milk. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends introducing water for babies from the age of 6 months, although breastmilk or formula will remain their main beverage until they reach 1 year. However, babies meet their needs a little bit differently. As adults, we usually think of meeting our water needs by assessing the amount of water we drink each day. Water helps to carry nutrients throughout the body, lubricate joints, and regulate digestion and body temperature. Why is it important for babies to drink water?ĭrinking water is important for everyone, including babies, since it has so many vital functions in the body. By 1 year of age, that amount drops to about 65%.īut what does this mean for babies? Should they be drinking water throughout the day like the rest of us? The answer is - it depends! Keep reading to find out when it is appropriate to start offering your baby water and how much they need. Babies have the largest percentage of body water, about 78% at birth. Drinking enough water is essential for optimal health and well-being. ![]()
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