When Can Babies Have Water?

Usually, at the age of one year, babies can see signs of crawling, smiling, mimicking, and eating solid foods. But when can water be delivered to babies? You should be aware of that. 

When can babies be given water? 

According to the doctors, babies can start giving water at the age of 6 months. This is because babies under 6 months of age cannot get water without mixing infant formula which disturbs the electrolyte balance in their body. This can lead to hyponatremia. That is the concentration of sodium in the blood is low and has some effects.  

Generally, the babies are fed solid foods by the age of 6 months and then water can be given to the babies. All the necessary hydration and nutrition are provided by breast milk and formula before giving water to infants. Introducing water to the infant too early will hinder nutrient absorption. Therefore, you can consult a pediatrician before making any changes to your infant’s diet. 

How do parents introduce water to their babies?

The best way to introduce water to your baby is to give a few ounces of water at a time with or between meals. Also, you can offer a small amount of water in an open cup rather than a bottle to get your baby used to drinking water or something else. Depending on the baby’s growth, a little help may be needed to hold a cup. However, at this age, they have the fine motor skills to pick up a cup, bring it to the mouth, and take a sip of water. 

How much water does a 6 month old baby need?

How much water should be given to a 6-month-old baby? A six-month-old baby’s primary nutrition and hydration is provided by breast milk and formula. Therefore, at this stage, parents should think of solid foods and water as practices rather than for nutritional values. 

There are no real guidelines for how much water a six-month baby needs. It depends on how much breast milk or formula is consumed. Likewise, it depends on how hot the weather is. Giving your baby plenty of water to drink on hot days can help prevent dehydration. 

What should be done if the newborn baby is accidentally watered?

Generally, it is difficult for a newborn baby to drink a lot of water. Hence, even if you accidentally give him water, he will be fine. However, parents should be careful about what they feed their newborns. The reason is that they should not be given anything other than breast milk or infant formula. But if you think that your baby is drinking too much water, see a doctor immediately. Because the baby’s electrolyte levels need to be assessed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1- How many ounces of water should your baby get a day?

Because breast milk and formula provide a baby’s nutrition and hydration, there are no guidelines on how much water a baby should be hydrated. However, doctors recommend that 4 to 8 ounces of water is adequate. Water can be consumed in addition to breast milk, formula, and solid foods.

2- How do you know if your baby is hydrated?

Want to know if your infant is hydrated? See if the infant shows these symptoms.

• Dry mouth and tongue – The dry mouth, lips, and tongue are a sign of dehydration.
• Reduce urine output – A dehydrated baby might urinate less frequently. Likewise, the urine may be darker in color. They also have loose stools. 
• No tears production when crying – sometimes infants cry without producing tears. That is also a symptom of hydration.
• Sunken eyes and cheeks – A sunken appearance of eyes and cheeks is also a sign of dehydration.
• Lethargy and irritability – The dehydrated infants might be more irritable than usual. Less active and excessively sleepy. 
• Dry, cool skin – The baby’s skin may feel dry and cool.
• Sunken soft spot on the head – They might also have a soft spot on the baby’s head. It is called fontanelle. 
• Rapid breathing or heartbeat – Increasing breathing rate and heartbeat 

If your child is fussy, less active, or is urinating only one to two times a day, call a doctor. 

3- What about hyponatremia?

Low sodium concentration in the blood is called hyponatremia. It could be dangerous for children, including infants. Now let’s see more details about hyponatremia.

Causes

• Excessive water intake – Drinking too much water, not enough salt, etc. can lower the sodium level in the body.
• Certain medical conditions – Medical conditions like heart failure, kidney problems, or liver disease can affect the sodium level in the blood. 
• Diarrhea and vomiting – These issues can cause a loss of sodium and other electrolytes. 
• Use of diuretics – Diuretics can enhance the excretion of sodium through urine. 

Symptoms of hyponatremia

These are the signs of hyponatremia. They are,

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Loss of energy
• Irritability
• Muscle weakness, cramps, or spasms
• seizures

How to prevent it?

Do you prevent hyponatremia in infants and children? Try these tips. 

• Avoid excessive water – Never give water to infants under 6 months of age. Also, when giving water to children, ensure that the water is balanced with a moderate amount of salt.
• Monitor fluid intake – Be careful with fluid intake during ill babies or in hot weather. 
• Appropriate rehydration solutions – use oral immunization solutions that contain the right balance of salt and sugar for toddlers with dehydration or diarrhea. 

If your baby shows some symptoms of hyponatremia, immediately visit a doctor and get treatments. 

Conclusion 

Quantitative details are provided here, for the question of when water can be delivered to a baby. Usually, doctors don’t allow water for babies under 6 months. Hence, you can give your baby water after 6 months of age with breast milk, formula, or solid foods. How much water does an infant need per day? Doctors recommend that 4 to 8 ounces of water per day is adequate. Here we have provided more information about the topic. However, you can contact your pediatrician for more details.