You can start offering your baby small amounts of water around 6 months old. Until then, breast milk or formula provides all the hydration your baby needs.
Introducing water too early can interfere with your baby’s nutrition by reducing their intake of essential nutrients. If your baby’s stomach is full of water, they’re unlikely to drink the appropriate amount of milk or formula at mealtime.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until your baby begins eating solid foods before introducing small amounts of water in a sippy cup.
Consult with a pediatrician or other healthcare professional if you have concerns about introducing water. To learn more about your baby’s dietary needs, read our guide to feeding in the first year.
Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, RN, CCRN, CPN
Carissa Stephens is a pediatric nurse with special expertise in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). She is currently a nurse in a pediatric intensive care unit at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas.