Water Intake for 6-Month-Old Infants Starting Solid Foods
After 6 months of age when solid foods are introduced, offer small amounts of plain water (a few ounces) with meals, while continuing to prioritize breast milk or formula as the primary fluid source. 1
Primary Fluid Source Remains Unchanged
- Breast milk or infant formula continues to provide complete hydration even after 6 months of age, and must remain the primary fluid source throughout the first year of life. 1
- Human milk or formula provides all necessary hydration for infants, making additional fluids nutritionally unnecessary even when solid foods begin. 1
Appropriate Water Introduction at 6 Months
- Offer water in small amounts (a few ounces) alongside meals once solid foods are introduced at approximately 6 months of age. 1
- Water should be offered in a cup rather than a bottle to promote proper feeding development and reduce dental risks. 1
- The amount must remain modest, as excessive water intake can displace nutrient-dense breast milk or formula, potentially leading to malnutrition. 1
Critical Safety Considerations
- Excessive plain water can cause hyponatremia (low blood sodium), which can lead to seizures and other serious complications in infants. 1
- Water supplementation provides no benefit and may negatively affect breastfeeding duration, as demonstrated in trials comparing exclusively breastfed infants with those receiving additional glucose water. 2
- Tap water is acceptable and contributes beneficial fluoride intake for dental health. 1
What to Strictly Avoid
- Never give fruit juice to infants under 12 months of age unless specifically indicated for a medical condition like constipation. 1
- Do not use water or any liquid other than breast milk/formula in bottles at bedtime to prevent dental caries. 1
- Do not allow infants to carry around bottles or cups of water throughout the day, as this displaces nutritional intake. 1
Feeding Pattern at 6 Months
- Continue breast milk or formula as the mainstay of nutrition, with solid foods serving as complementary nutrition. 3
- Freshly prepared foods including cereal and beans or cereal and meat with vegetable oil should be offered every 3-4 hours. 4
- Breastfed infants should continue nursing on demand without interruption. 4
Common Pitfall to Avoid
The most critical error is offering excessive water that displaces breast milk or formula intake. Even under extremely hot and arid conditions (35-40°C with 10-35% humidity), exclusively breastfed infants under 6 months require no additional water, as demonstrated by urine osmolality studies showing adequate hydration. 5 This principle extends to 6-month-olds: water is supplementary only, never a replacement for milk feeds.