Breast milk or formula is the only drink your baby needs for the first 6 months. But what about after that? When can your baby drink water? And what about juice and cow's milk?

Here is the complete guide to drinks for babies, based on current recommendations from the WHO and AAP.

When Can My Baby Drink Water?

Babies can have water from 6 months — that is, once they start on solid foods. According to the AAP:

Offer water at mealtimes from 6 months
Use a small cup (not a bottle for water)
Start with a few sips — baby doesn't need much
Breast milk or formula remains the main drink

Babies under 6 months should NOT be given water. Breast milk and formula contain enough fluid. Too much water for young babies can disrupt nutrient absorption and in rare cases lead to water intoxication (hyponatremia).

Drinks by Age

0–6 Months: Breast Milk or Formula Only

Breast milk meets all fluid needs
Formula meets all fluid needs
No other drink is necessary
Not even water, juice, or tea

6–12 Months: Breast Milk + a Little Water

Breast milk or formula remains the main drink
Offer a few sips of water at mealtimes
Use an open cup or sippy cup (not a bottle)
Baby decides how much water they want
Do not give juice, cordial, or soda

Amount of water: Baby doesn't need much extra water as long as they are breastfed or on formula. A couple of sips at each meal is enough. On warm days you can offer a little more.

12–24 Months: Water and Milk

Water as the main drink (when thirsty, between meals)
Cow's milk (whole or reduced-fat) — maximum 16 oz (about 500 ml) per day
No juice, cordial, or soda as everyday drinks
Wean off the bottle — use a cup

Cow's Milk for Baby

Cow's milk is a topic many parents wonder about. Here are the guidelines from the AAP:

Cow's Milk in Cooking (from 10 months)

In sauces, pancakes, and baking
Small amounts are safe
Cow's milk in porridge is best held off until 12 months (porridge uses more milk than a sauce)

Cow's Milk as a Drink (from 12 months)

Use whole milk for children under 2
Maximum 16 oz (about 500 ml) per day (including yogurt and cheese)
Too much cow's milk leaves less room for other foods
Cow's milk contains little iron and can inhibit iron absorption

Too much cow's milk (over 16 oz per day) is a common cause of iron deficiency in toddlers. Cow's milk contains almost no iron, and the calcium in milk inhibits iron absorption from other foods. Stick to a maximum of 16 oz of dairy products per day.

Whole Milk or Reduced-Fat?

According to the AAP, children aged 12–24 months should drink whole milk. After age 2, you can switch to reduced-fat or low-fat milk. Non-fat (skim) milk provides too little fat for toddlers under 2.

Milk Type	Recommended Age	Notes
Breast milk	0–24+ months	Recommended for at least 12 months
Formula	0–12 months	When breastfeeding is not possible
Whole milk	From 12 months	Main drink, max 16 oz/day
Reduced-fat milk	From 24 months	After the second birthday
Skim milk	From 5 years	Too little fat for young children

Plant-Based Drinks (Oat Milk, Soy Milk, etc.)

According to the AAP, plant-based drinks should be avoided before 12 months. This includes:

Oat milk
Soy drink
Rice milk (contains inorganic arsenic — the FDA advises against it for children under 6)
Almond milk
Coconut milk (as a drink)

After 12 months: Plant-based drinks can be used in addition to cow's milk, but they do not replace cow's milk nutritionally. Choose varieties fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Plant-based drinks generally contain less protein than cow's milk.

Rice milk is not recommended for children under 6 years because it contains inorganic arsenic, according to the FDA. This also applies to rice cakes and rice-based products generally.

Baby exploring food in a bright kitchen

Juice and Fruit Drinks

Under 12 Months: No Juice

According to the AAP, babies under 12 months should not have juice or fruit drinks:

Juice contains a lot of natural sugar
Juice lacks fiber (which whole fruit contains)
Juice can cause loose stools and diarrhea
Juice displaces breast milk and nutritious food
Baby gets more nutrition from eating fruit than drinking juice

After 12 Months: Very Limited

Avoid juice and fruit drinks as everyday drinks
Maximum 4 oz (about 120 ml) of 100% juice per day for children 1–3 years
Whole fruit is always better than juice
Fruit juice does not count as a serving of fruit

Other Drinks to Avoid

Drink	Why to Avoid	When OK
Soda (sugary)	Sugar, no nutrition	Never for babies/toddlers
Soda (sugar-free)	Sweeteners, acid	Never for babies/toddlers
Fruit cordials	Sugar, no nutrition	Rarely after 12 months, heavily diluted
Iced tea	Caffeine, sugar	Never for babies/toddlers
Cocoa	Sugar, caffeine	From 12 months, low sugar
Tea and coffee	Caffeine, tannins inhibit iron	Never for babies/toddlers
Sports drinks	Sugar, electrolytes	Never for babies/toddlers
Flavored water	Sugar, additives	Never for babies/toddlers

Tannins in tea inhibit iron absorption from food. Never give tea to babies or toddlers, including herbal tea. Caffeine in tea and coffee is also unsuitable for young children.

Tips for Teaching Baby to Drink from a Cup

From 6 Months: Open Cup

The AAP recommends an open cup rather than a bottle for water:

Use a small cup with a wider rim
Hold the cup for baby and tilt gently
Baby will spill — that is completely normal
A few sips at a time is enough
Offer at every meal

From 8–10 Months: Sippy Cup

Baby can start with a sippy cup
Choose one without a valve (baby learns better drinking technique)
Let baby try on their own
Use a waterproof bib

From 12 Months: Wean Off the Bottle

According to the AAP, bottles should be phased out around 12 months:

Bottle with milk increases the risk of tooth problems
Baby should drink from a cup, not a bottle
Weaning can take time — be patient
Start by replacing one bottle at a time with a cup

Dehydration — Signs to Watch For

Babies can become dehydrated with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. Watch for:

Fewer wet diapers than usual (fewer than 4–6 per day)
Dark urine
Dry lips and mouth
Lethargy or irritability
Sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on the head)

If dehydrated: Offer breastfeeding or formula more frequently. Offer water (over 6 months). Contact your doctor if baby has persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or shows signs of serious dehydration.

Children and food in a warm family setting

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 6-month-old baby drink water?

Yes. From 6 months, baby can have water in small amounts at mealtimes. Use a small cup. Breast milk or formula remains the main drink. Baby only needs a few sips.

Does baby need water in summer?

Babies under 6 months do not need water, even in the heat. Offer more frequent feeds instead. From 6 months, you can offer a little extra water on warm days, but breast milk or formula is still the most important.

Can baby drink tap water?

Yes. Tap water is safe for babies from 6 months. You do not need to boil the water or use bottled water. If you are unsure about the water quality where you live (for example, well water), check with your local authorities.

When can my child drink cow's milk?

Cow's milk as a drink is recommended from 12 months. In cooking (sauces, porridge, baking) cow's milk can be used from 10 months. Use whole milk for children under 2. Maximum 16 oz of dairy products per day.

Is oat milk OK for baby?

Not before 12 months. Plant-based drinks such as oat milk, soy drink, and almond milk are not recommended as a substitute for cow's milk in the first year of life. After 12 months, fortified oat milk can be used in addition to cow's milk, but it does not replace cow's milk nutritionally.

Summary

Babies under 6 months need only breast milk or formula. From 6 months, offer water at mealtimes in an open cup. Cow's milk (whole) as a drink from 12 months, maximum 16 oz per day. Avoid juice, fruit drinks, and soda. Plant-based drinks should be avoided before 12 months.

Water and Drinks for Baby: What Can Your Baby Drink?