When can babies drink water?
8-minute read
Key facts
- If your baby is under 6 months old, they only need to drink breast milk or infant formula.
- From 6 months of age, you can give your baby small amounts of water, if needed, in addition to their breast milk or formula feeds.
- In hot weather, it is important to offer more frequent breastfeeds or bottle feeds if your baby is under 6 months of age.
- If your baby has a fever and is under 6 months of age, you may need to offer extra breastfeeds or bottle feeds.
- Fruit juice, soft drinks, cordial and animal or plant milks are not suitable for babies younger than 12 months of age.
From what age can I give water to my baby?
According to the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines:
- If your baby is over 6 months of age, you can start to offer them small amounts of water.
- Water should not replace your baby's breast milk or formula feeds. Breast milk or formula should still be your baby's main drink up to 12 months of age.
- Babies under 6 months of age should only be given breast milk or infant formula, even in hot weather.
How do I feed my baby water safely?
If you feed your baby tap water, up until they are 12 months, you should boil and cool it to make it safe.
Here is how to safely prepare tap water for your baby:
- If you are using an electric kettle — boil water until it switches off.
- If you are using a stovetop or pot — bring the water to a boil. This means your water does not stop boiling when you stir it.
- Cool the boiled water to a safe temperature before you give it to your baby to drink.
- Store the cooled water in a clean and sterilised bottle in the fridge.
Tank water is not always considered safe for your child to drink. Tank water should be boiled and cooled before feeding to your baby.
Store-bought bottled water should only be used if the bottle has not been opened or damaged.
You can offer water in a cup, so they learn to drink from it.
You do not need to boil tap water once your baby has reached 12 months.
Why is water not suitable for babies younger than 6 months?
Water is not recommended for babies younger than 6 months of age.
Your baby's stomach and kidneys at this age are very small. Giving them water can affect the concentration of certain nutrients in your baby's blood. This can be very dangerous and even fatal.
Breast milk or formula contains all the nutrients your baby needs so they can grow and develop. If you give your baby water when they are under 6 months of age, they may not drink enough breast milk or formula to grow and develop properly.
What should my baby drink in hot weather?
If your baby is less than 6 months of age, they should drink breast milk or infant formula in hot weather. Do not offer them water. Your baby may demand extra feeds in hot weather, or may want to drink more often than usual, but for shorter periods.
Here are some tips to make breastfeeding more comfortable for you and your baby in hot weather:
- Place a towel, sheet or pillowcase between yourself and your baby.
- Lie down to breastfeed to reduce skin contact.
- Make sure you are drinking enough water and are well-hydrated.
If your baby is older than 6 months of age, you can offer them water in hot weather.
You will know that your baby is properly hydrated (getting enough fluids) if they have 6 to 8 wet nappies with pale urine over 24 hours.
What should my baby drink if they have a fever?
If your baby is younger than 3 months old and has a fever above 38°C, take them to see a doctor or to the nearest hospital emergency department as soon as possible.
If your baby has a fever, is under 6 months old and is:
- breastfed — you can offer them extra feeds
- formula fed — you can offer them the usual amount of formula
If your baby has a fever and is over 6 months old, you can:
- continue to breastfeed or formula feed them
- offer your child water or oral rehydration solutions
You may need to feed your child smaller amounts of fluids, but more often.
Many babies refuse to eat when they have a fever. As long as your child stays hydrated, this is not a problem. Usually their appetite will improve when they start to feel better.
The most important thing to check is whether your child is getting enough fluids.
Read more about dehydration in babies and young children.
Can my baby drink other drinks?
If your baby is under 12 months old, it's not recommended to offer any drinks other than water and breast milk or formula.
These drinks are not recommended for babies under 12 months of age:
- juices
- tea and coffee
- soft drinks, cordials and sugar sweetened drinks
- unmodified milk from non-human species — cow's, goat's and sheep's milk
- plant based milks — oat, coconut, rice and almond milks
- mineral water
If your baby has allergies, seek dietary advice from your baby's doctor or a dietitian.
Resources and supports
- The Sydney Children's Health Network has an informative resource explaining infant and baby nutrition.
- The Tasmanian Government Department of Health has a factsheet about drinking water for babies.
- Visit the Royal Children's Hospital website to learn how manage a fever in children.
Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?
The Royal Children's Hospital has information about fevers in children translated into many community languages.
If you prefer to speak in languages other than English and you want to contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
The Australian Breastfeeding Association has breastfeeding resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.