My six-month-old refuses plain water—how much should I give after feeds, and how can I encourage her?
Recommended Daily Water Intake for Infants
| Infant age in months | Suggested total water per day | Number of water offers per day |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 30-60 | After each 4–6 feeds |
| 7-9 | 60-120 | After each feed or meal |
| 10-12 | 120-180 | After each meal or snack |
Quick Answer
At six months, offer small amounts of water—around 30–60 mL per day—divided across feeds.
Start with just a teaspoon or two after each breastfeed or formula feed, gradually increasing to 1–2 tablespoons as she learns.
Use child-friendly cups or spoons, offer chilled or room-temperature water in colorful cups, and model drinking yourself to encourage acceptance.
Recommended Practices
Offer Water After Each Feed
Give 5–10 mL (1–2 teaspoons) of water using a small cup or spoon immediately after every milk feed, gradually increasing to 15–30 mL (1–2 tablespoons) over 1–2 weeks.
Use a Baby-Friendly Cup
Introduce a silicone straw cup or 2–4 oz open cup with handles; let her hold and explore the cup for a few minutes before sipping, 2–3 times daily.
Flavor without Sugar
Add a slice of mild fruit (cucumber or mint) to water to introduce a gentle flavor; remove flavoring before offering plain water to retrain the palate.
Model Drinking Behavior
Drink water yourself in front of her during feeding times; exaggerate sipping motions and praise her when she imitates, 1–2 times per meal.
Offer Water at Different Temperatures
Experiment with room-temperature, slightly chilled, or lukewarm water to find her preference; avoid extremes, 2–3 times in a day.
Incorporate Water in Play
Use colorful cups during playtime and pretend to feed dolls water; this playful approach can be tried 10–15 minutes before mealtimes.
What to Avoid
Forcing Water
Avoid force-feeding water as it can create negative associations; instead, offer gently without pressure.
Sweetening Water
Do not add sugar or sweeteners to make water appealing—this can establish a preference for sweet drinks and risk tooth decay.
Using Bottles Exclusively
Avoid giving water only in bottles if introducing cups; limit bottle water to milk/formula and shift to cups for water.
Cold Extremes
Don’t offer very cold or hot water—extremely cold water can be uncomfortable, and hot water can scald.
Delayed Introduction
Avoid waiting too long to introduce a cup—early exposure at 6 months helps her skills develop in tandem with complementary feeding.
Comparing with Older Children
Refrain from using older siblings to pressure her—each baby develops readiness at their own pace.
Common Scenarios and Solutions
Baby turns head away from cup at each offer.
Try offering water in a different cup—use a straw cup or spout cup, demonstrate sipping yourself, and wait a few minutes after feed to try again.
Baby spits out water.
Offer just a drop on her tongue or use a clean finger dipped in water to let her taste, gradually increasing drops.
Baby drinks only milk and refuses cups.
Combine feeding; hold milk cup and water cup together, let her choose, praising any water sip; offer water mid-way through milk feeds.
Baby is thirsty in hot weather but refuses water.
Chill water slightly and offer in small sips with a straw; provide water in a bowl at playtime and let her self-serve under supervision.
Similar Questions Parents Ask
When should I start giving water to my baby?
Begin offering small sips of water around 6 months when starting solids and milk intake alone is insufficient for hydration.
Is it safe to give too much water to a baby?
Excessive water can dilute electrolytes and risk water intoxication; stick to recommended small sips after feeds.
Can I give juice instead of water?
Avoid juice in the first year as sugary liquids can affect appetite, teeth, and risk diarrhea.
How do I know if my baby is dehydrated?
Look for fewer wet diapers, dark urine, dry mouth, or lethargy; if concerned, consult a pediatrician.
Signs to Consult Immediately
Fewer than 4 wet diapers in 24 hours
Sunken fontanelle or eyes
Persistent refusal of both milk and water with lethargy
Vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures suggesting electrolyte imbalance
Detailed Explanation
By six months, an infant's kidneys have matured enough to handle small amounts of water alongside breastmilk or formula, helping maintain hydration especially once solids are introduced.
Offering water after feeds supports digestion and prevents constipation.
Developmentally, babies around six months start to learn sipping motions; some may resist water initially due to unfamiliar oral motor skills. Gradual introduction with small sips helps her adapt.
Watch for dehydration signs such as fewer than four wet diapers in 24 hours, dark urine, dry lips, or sunken eyes. If these occur alongside water refusal, medical evaluation is warranted.
For 0–3 months, water is not recommended. At 3–6 months, minimal water sips may be offered rarely. From 6–12 months, increase from 30 mL to 120 mL daily as baby grows and eats solids more frequently.
Premature babies or those with low birth weight may need individualized hydration plans; consult a pediatrician if your infant has special health conditions or is taking medications that affect fluid balance.
In Indian climates, adjust water temperature seasonally—offering cooler water during summer (but not ice-cold), room temperature during monsoon, and slightly warm water in winter to optimize comfort and hydration.
Sources
International Sources
“Water is not required until 6 months; small amounts may be offered thereafter while breastfeeding continues,” 2019.
Global recommendations on feeding holistic hydration practices, 2017.
Recommended Reading for Parents
Complete global recommendations, free PDF.