Importance of giving water to babies once they are introduced to solids

According to WHO Guidelines babies that are exclusively breastfed till 6 months don’t need additional water, as breast milk is over 80 percent water and provides the fluids your baby needs. Children who are bottle-fed will stay hydrated with the help of their formula.

However, it’s not only safe but important as well to start giving water to babies when you start introducing solids. They won’t take more than a few sips from a cup or bowl at a time—and that’s fine, because initially they will really need only that much. Letting the baby drink water at this stage helps him get used to it’s taste.

Water is important for the proper digestion of food. Introducing solids and not giving water at all may sometimes lead to constipation. If and when the baby has constipation issues related to starting solids, give 1 teaspoon of Ajwain water (caraway seeds) twice or thrice a day for a few days. Giving warm water also helps reduce the chances of constipation.

How much water and when?

When your little one is at the stage where you’re introducing pureed solids, assuming adequate formula or breast milk intake, your child may not need more than 2 to 4 ounces (¼  to ½ a cup) of water over a 24-hour period. This can go up to 1 cup a day if the baby eats more than two solid meals and there is a reduction in consumption of breast milk or formula due to it. You can give a few sips of water during the meals and a few sips throughout the day.

Once your child is 12-months old, their milk intake will be reduced. At this stage, you may have established a proper routine involving breakfast, lunch and dinner while introducing a variety of new foods. Due to the increased varied food intake, increased activity of your child and the reduced milk intake water intake will naturally increase. It can now go up to 1 to 2 cups a day, depending on the weather,  level of activity and the amount of food intake.

P.S. Always give boiled and cooled water to start with till the baby is a year old. Later filtered tap water should be okay.

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