When can a baby start drinking water?

Stacy - posted on 02/10/2013

I found so many responses on this topic below to have such misinformed advice that after reading all of them I felt like I needed to join Circle of Moms just to direct people in the correct direction... I am not a scientist or expert of any kind, but I read and research a lot before I do things I feel are important and feeding my LO correctly is important! First thing is ASK YOUR BABY'S DOCTOR! But if you google this topic on the Internet most of the reputable sites all say NOT TO GIVE YOUR CHILD WATER UNTIL AFTER 6 MONTHS! I am surprised at how many have said that it is ok to do it before then. They say that breastfeeding and/or formula gives them all the water/fluid they need. Also, when you do start them on water (which should be as pure as possible and to even boil it first then offer it cooled) it should be small amounts. Please do more research and talk to your pediatrician before trying to introduce water before the 6 month period!

Estelle - posted on 08/02/2010

They should b drinking water asap. How else will their digestive systems flush out. So many doctors so many different answers. They must have been men.

Katie - posted on 08/02/2010

if your baby is breast fed they shouldn't need any extra water... but if on formula he/she might...
my son is 14wks now and almost weaned completely onto bottles now, so i give him a little water and he likes it!
he actually refuses water when hungry and refuses milk if not hungry but happily takes some water.
hope that helps x

Kathy - posted on 07/31/2010

Water Intoxication in Infants

For healthy adults, nothing seems to quench a thirst better than plain, pure water. We're encouraged to drink several glasses a day to keep our systems in balance. But for children under 1 year old – and especially during the first nine months of life – drinking too much water can be dangerous.

In fact, according to pediatricians like James P. Keating, MD, medical director of the St. Louis Children's Hospital Diagnostic Center, too much water dilutes a baby's normal sodium levels and can lead to seizures, coma, brain damage and death.

Breast milk or formula provides all the fluid healthy babies need. If a mother feels her baby needs to take additional water, it should be limited to two to three ounces at a time and should be offered only after the baby has satisfied his hunger with breast feeding or formula.

Dr. Keating also recommends that parents avoid participating in infant swimming lessons. "Repeated dunking of infants can cause them to gulp water and has caused seizures in the infants at the poolside," he says.

Since the brain is the organ most susceptible to water intoxication, a change of behavior is usually the first symptom in older children. They may become confused, drowsy or inattentive. They also may suffer from blurred vision, muscle cramps and twitching, poor coordination, nausea and vomiting, irregular breathing and weakness. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your pediatrician.

Samantha - posted on 07/30/2010

my doc said my son can start having water, juice and baby rice now that he is 3, if ur not sure, ask ur babys doc

Natalie - posted on 07/30/2010

I've been giving my daughter cooled boiled water ever since I stopped breast feeding (4weeks), as formula doesn't hydrate baby like breast does, and she is fine some days only drinking 1oz sometimes 3 or 4oz

Victoria - posted on 07/29/2010

My daughter is 3 months old too, Since she's been a month, i've given her alittle bit of water. The dr said no more than 4oz and you add a tiny bit of sugar to it. I really don't think there is a need to wait until 4-5 months. Too much water isn't any good, but their allowed to have water =))

Melissa - posted on 07/29/2010

Try a cap full first see how he takes it. You may want to try distilled water its cheaper then nursery water or just boil your tap first

CODY-RENEE - posted on 07/28/2010

thanks ladies.. big help :)
i might try and see how he goes..

Ashley - posted on 07/28/2010

i have given my daughter water, if you are worried about chemicals you could always buy nursery water at the store

Nicole - posted on 07/28/2010

I give water to my 3 month old water all the time the docter said it was fine. they told me to give it to him because he got sick one day and couldnt handle the formula so they said give him water. he liked it so now it give it to him whenever

Tila - posted on 07/28/2010

i have always been told babies don't need water while they are breastfeeding or on formula. they get all the the hydration they need from the milk. you could give it to him if you like but there is not really a need to. it wouldn't hurt him at all if you did though.