Newborn babies should not drink plain water. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), healthy babies can generally begin drinking small amounts of water at around 6 months of age, when they start eating solid foods.
During the first 6 months, breast milk, properly prepared infant formula, or a combination of both provides the fluids babies need for hydration and growth. Giving additional water too early can reduce their intake of essential nutrients and, in excessive amounts, cause a dangerous condition called water intoxication.
At around 6 months, babies can begin drinking approximately 4 to 8 ounces of plain water per day from an age-appropriate cup. Water should complement breast milk or formula rather than replace regular milk feedings.
Parents should also understand that the water used to prepare infant formula is different from giving a baby plain water. Formula must always be mixed according to its preparation instructions.
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Babies can generally start drinking small amounts of plain water at approximately 6 months of age. Before 6 months, healthy infants should receive their fluids through breast milk or properly prepared infant formula unless a pediatrician specifically recommends otherwise.
At around 6 months, babies typically begin complementary feeding, which means introducing solid foods while continuing breast milk or formula. This is also an appropriate time to introduce small amounts of water in an open cup, straw cup, or training cup.
The AAP recommends approximately 4 to 8 ounces of water per day for babies between 6 and 12 months. This is a recommended range, not a minimum amount that every baby must finish daily.
Breast milk or infant formula should continue to provide most of a baby’s fluid and nutritional needs throughout the first year.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 & Younger
Newborn babies should not drink additional plain water because breast milk and properly prepared formula already provide the hydration they need. Extra water can displace essential nutrients and, in excessive amounts, disturb the balance of sodium and other electrolytes in a baby’s body.
Young infants are particularly vulnerable to excessive water intake because their kidneys are still developing the ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes.
Giving too much water can cause water intoxication, which may result in dangerously low blood sodium levels, also called hyponatremia. Severe cases can cause seizures and other life-threatening complications.
The AAP advises parents not to give babies younger than 6 months additional water or dilute infant formula beyond the manufacturer’s instructions unless a pediatrician has provided specific medical guidance.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — How to Safely Prepare Baby Formula With Water
No. A healthy 1-month-old baby should not be given plain water. Breast milk or properly prepared infant formula provides the fluids and nutrients needed during the first month of life.
At this age, giving water instead of milk can reduce the amount of calories and essential nutrients a baby receives. Excessive water intake can also disrupt electrolyte balance.
If a 1-month-old appears unusually thirsty, feeds poorly, or has fewer wet diapers than expected, parents should contact their pediatrician rather than offering additional plain water.
Healthy 2-month-old and 3-month-old babies should not routinely drink plain water. Breast milk or correctly prepared infant formula remains the appropriate source of hydration during this stage of development.
Parents sometimes consider giving water when a baby appears hungry between feedings, has hiccups, or seems uncomfortable in warm weather. However, these situations do not automatically indicate that the baby needs plain water.
If a young infant appears to need more fluids, parents should review feeding frequency, milk intake, and growth with their pediatrician rather than replacing or supplementing milk feeds with water independently.
A healthy 4-month-old baby generally does not need additional plain water. The AAP recommends introducing small amounts of water at around 6 months, when babies begin eating solid foods.
Although some babies begin showing developmental readiness for complementary foods between 4 and 6 months, that does not mean they need water as a separate beverage.
Breast milk or infant formula should continue providing hydration. Parents considering additional water because of feeding concerns, constipation, or illness should consult their pediatrician for individualized guidance.
A 6-month-old baby can generally be offered small amounts of plain water, with the AAP recommending approximately 4 to 8 ounces per day for infants between 6 and 12 months. Water should not replace breast milk or formula feedings.
Parents can begin by offering a few sips of water during meals and gradually allowing the baby to practice drinking from a cup.
Recommended water intake by age includes:
These recommendations describe general daily water intake for healthy children. Babies with medical conditions, feeding difficulties, or unusual fluid needs may require individualized instructions.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 & Younger
Healthy newborns who are breastfeeding effectively do not need additional plain water. Breast milk provides both the fluids and nutrients needed for hydration during the first 6 months of life.
Breast milk contains a substantial amount of water, so babies receive hydration each time they breastfeed.
During hot weather or periods of increased feeding demand, breastfed babies may want to nurse more frequently. Offering additional breastfeeding is generally preferable to giving plain water to a healthy baby younger than 6 months.
If parents are concerned about milk supply, weight gain, or whether their baby is getting enough fluids, a pediatrician can evaluate feeding effectiveness and growth.
Healthy formula-fed newborns do not need additional plain water because correctly prepared infant formula already contains the water required for hydration.
Powdered and concentrated liquid formulas must be mixed with the exact amount of water specified by the manufacturer. Ready-to-feed formula is already prepared and should not be diluted.
Adding extra water to infant formula reduces its nutrient concentration and can disturb a baby’s electrolyte balance. Severe over-dilution may cause water intoxication and seizures.
Parents should never dilute formula to make it last longer or provide extra water between feedings without medical guidance.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — How to Safely Prepare Baby Formula With Water
Healthy newborn babies generally should not receive plain water even during hot weather. Babies younger than 6 months should continue receiving breast milk or properly prepared formula, with feeding frequency adjusted according to their needs.
Hot weather can increase fluid needs, but plain water is not the appropriate routine solution for young infants.
Parents can help protect newborns from dehydration by:
For babies older than 6 months, small amounts of water may be appropriate during hot weather, alongside continued breast milk or formula.
Parents should not routinely give plain water to a newborn to treat constipation. Babies younger than 6 months generally receive adequate fluids through breast milk or properly prepared formula, and additional water should only be given if a pediatrician specifically recommends it.
Newborn bowel movement patterns vary considerably. Some babies strain, grunt, or turn red while passing soft stools, which does not necessarily mean they are constipated.
Constipation is more concerning when stools are hard, dry, or painful to pass. Persistent constipation may require an evaluation of feeding patterns, formula preparation, and other possible causes.
Parents should contact their pediatrician before using water, juice, laxatives, or other home remedies for constipation in a newborn.
Drinking too much plain water can cause water intoxication in a newborn, a potentially life-threatening condition in which excessive water dilutes sodium in the bloodstream and disrupts normal electrolyte balance.
Low blood sodium can interfere with normal brain function. Severe water intoxication may cause seizures and other neurological complications.
Possible warning signs following excessive water intake can include:
These symptoms are not specific to water intoxication and may have other serious causes. If a newborn has consumed a significant amount of plain water or incorrectly diluted formula, seek immediate medical guidance rather than waiting for symptoms. Call emergency services for seizures, loss of consciousness, or severe changes in responsiveness.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — How to Safely Prepare Baby Formula With Water
Newborn dehydration may cause fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, or other changes in behavior. Because dehydration can become serious quickly in young infants, parents should contact their pediatrician promptly when concerning symptoms develop.
The AAP identifies several warning signs of dehydration in infants, including:
Wet diaper expectations vary during the first days after birth, so diaper counts must be interpreted according to the baby’s age and feeding history.
Parents should not attempt to correct suspected newborn dehydration by giving plain water. A pediatrician can determine whether additional milk feedings, medical evaluation, or another treatment is needed.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — Signs of Dehydration in Infants & Children
When babies begin drinking water at around 6 months, the AAP recommends offering it in an open cup, straw cup, or training cup rather than introducing water as an additional routine bottle feeding.
Learning to drink from a cup helps babies develop new oral-motor skills as they transition toward solid foods and more independent feeding.
Parents can introduce cup drinking by:
Babies may initially spill water or take only a few sips. The goal is gradual familiarity with cup drinking rather than immediately consuming a specific volume.
Babies who are old enough to drink plain water can generally receive safe drinking water from an appropriate tap or bottled source. The important consideration is whether the water is safe for consumption and free from harmful contamination.
For babies younger than 6 months, water may still be necessary to prepare powdered or concentrated infant formula, but it must be used according to the formula manufacturer’s instructions.
Parents should understand the differences between common water sources:
For powdered formula, infants younger than 2 months, premature babies, and infants with weakened immune systems may require additional preparation precautions to reduce the risk of infection from nonsterile formula powder.
Parents should follow current local drinking-water advisories and their pediatrician’s instructions when choosing water for infant formula.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — How to Safely Prepare Baby Formula With Water
Parents should consult their pediatrician if their baby is younger than 6 months and appears to need additional fluids, shows signs of dehydration, has feeding difficulties, or has a medical condition that may affect hydration.
Medical guidance is particularly important when a baby:
For most healthy babies, the general recommendation is straightforward: breast milk or properly prepared formula during the first 6 months, followed by small amounts of plain water beginning around 6 months while milk feedings continue.
If you have questions about when your newborn can drink water, whether your baby is getting enough fluids, or how to safely prepare infant formula, DFWPMA pediatricians can evaluate your baby’s feeding needs, hydration concerns, and growth.
Our pediatric services include newborn care, infant feeding guidance, growth monitoring, well-child visits, and evaluation of common childhood health concerns.
Book an appointment online or contact a convenient DFWPMA location to discuss your baby’s feeding and hydration needs.
DFW Physicians Medical Associates is a multispecialty medical clinic providing pediatric and other healthcare services at locations in North Texas and Corpus Christi.
