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Does my baby need water before six months?

No, babies do not need extra water before 6 months. Breast milk or formula alone provides all the fluid a baby needs during this time.

Giving water before 6 months can actually be harmful, increasing risks of diarrhea, poor nutrition, or dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

Strength of evidence

Strong

This is supported by international guideline bodies (WHO, AAP/HealthyChildren.org) plus a topic review summarizing multiple studies, giving consistent, strong-quality evidence.

What the evidence says

No extra water is needed for babies under 6 months, whether they're breastfed or formula-fed. Breast milk is about 88% water and, along with formula, fully meets a baby's fluid needs, even in hot weather.

Giving water before 6 months isn't just unnecessary, it can be risky. It can fill up a baby's tiny stomach and reduce how much breast milk or formula they take in, which can affect growth. In more serious cases, too much water can dangerously dilute a baby's blood sodium levels, leading to problems like seizures.

Once your baby turns 6 months and starts solid foods, small sips of plain water can be introduced alongside meals. Before that milestone, breast milk or formula alone is all they need for both nutrition and hydration.

If you're ever worried your baby seems thirsty, unwell, or dehydrated (for example, in extreme heat or with a fever), check with your pediatrician rather than giving water on your own.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked July 23, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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