Can I pour water into her milk bottle, or is a spoon or sipper better?
Quick Answer
At six months, it’s best to introduce water in a separate vessel to help your baby learn drinking skills and prevent dilution of milk.
Use a small spoon or a soft-spout sipper cup rather than mixing water into her milk bottle.
This encourages proper swallowing techniques and helps transition away from the bottle over time.
Recommended Practices
Offer Water in a Small Spoon
Use a clean, shallow baby spoon to give 5–10 mL of cooled, boiled water once or twice between feeds starting at 6 months. Increase by 5 mL each week as the baby grows.
Introduce a Soft-Spout Sipper Cup
From 6–8 months, offer water in a BPA-free soft-spout sipper cup holding 30–50 mL. Encourage 2–3 sips at a time, gradually increasing as coordination improves.
Keep Water Separate from Milk
Serve water in its own cup to avoid diluting breastmilk or formula and to teach the baby clear differences between milk feeds and hydration.
Maintain Hygiene and Safety
Always boil water and cool to lukewarm before serving. Use fresh water each time and wash cups or spoons immediately after use.
Monitor Hydration Needs
Offer water before and after feeds, especially in hot weather or during illness. Aim for 30–60 mL of water per day by 9–12 months.
Wean from the Bottle Gradually
Begin transitioning to cups by 9–12 months. Reduce bottle water feeds first, encouraging cup use during meal times to support self-feeding skills.
What to Avoid
Mixing Water into Milk
This dilutes the nutritional value of breastmilk or formula and can lead to inadequate calorie intake.
High-Flow Teats for Water
Using fast-flow bottle nipples can increase choking risk and hamper learning to sip appropriately.
Sweetened or Flavored Water
Avoid adding sugar, honey, or flavorings, which can harm teeth and encourage unhealthy preferences.
Unboiled or Contaminated Water
Serving unboiled water risks infections; always use boiled and cooled water.
Large Volumes at Once
Offering too much water (over 60 mL for 6–9 months) may reduce appetite for milk and solids.
Late Introduction of Cup Skills
Delaying cup and spoon use may prolong dependency on bottles and delay oral motor development.
Common Scenarios and Solutions
Baby refuses water in the bottle
Switch to a small spoon. Offer 1–2 spoonfuls, praise gently, and try again later when the baby is calmer.
Water spills from the sipper
Ensure the spout fits well and demonstrate slow sipping. Hold the cup together with the baby’s hands to guide the motion.
Baby drinks water but skips milk
Offer water between feeds only, not immediately before a milk feed. Limit water to small sips to preserve milk appetite.
Teething causes fussiness during drinking
Chill the spoon or sipper (not frozen) for soothing effect. Offer teething rings before feeds to calm gums.
Similar Questions Parents Ask
At what age should I start giving water?
Water can be introduced at around 6 months when solids begin, starting with small sips once or twice a day.
How much water does a 9-month-old need?
By 9 months, babies typically need about 30–60 mL of water daily, in addition to milk and solids.
Can I use a straw cup for my baby?
Straw cups may be used after 9 months once the baby masters sipper cups to reduce spills and support oral skills.
Should water be boiled every time?
Yes, always boil water and cool before serving to eliminate pathogens, especially in Indian settings.
Signs to Consult Immediately
Dry mouth with no tears when crying
Sunken eyes or fontanelle
Fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours
Excessive vomiting or diarrhea
High fever (>38°C) with refusal to drink
Detailed Explanation
By six months, babies need small amounts of water in addition to breastmilk or formula, especially in hot climates.
Water helps maintain fluid balance and supports digestion when solids are introduced.
Drinking from a spoon or cup fosters oral motor skills. Learning to sip and swallow from a separate vessel strengthens jaw and tongue muscles crucial for speech and chewing.
Using the bottle for water can cause confusion between milk feeds and hydration, delaying the transition to independent drinking and increasing the risk of ear infections from prolonged bottle use.
Developmentally, babies aged 6–9 months handle spoon feeds; by 9–12 months, they can grasp and sip from a small cup. Customize the method based on individual readiness and fine motor skills.
Premature or low birth weight infants may need closer monitoring of hydration and temperature. Consult your pediatrician to tailor the plan and ensure appropriate volume and frequency.
During Indian summers, babies may require extra water (up to 60 mL/day) to compensate for heat; reduce slightly during monsoon or cooler months to avoid overhydration.
Sources
International Sources
WHO global guidance on complementary feeding including water introduction (2003).
UNICEF resource on developing drinking skills in young children (2019).