Breast milk or formula is all your baby needs to drink 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 AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and WHO.
When Can Your Baby Drink Water?
Your baby can have water from 6 months — that is, from when your baby starts eating solid food. According to pediatric guidelines:
- Offer water at mealtimes from 6 months
- Use a small cup (not a bottle for water)
- Start with a few sips — your baby doesn't need much
- Breast milk or formula is still 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 interfere with nutrient absorption and, in rare cases, lead to water intoxication (hyponatremia).
Drinks by Age
0–6 months: Breast milk or formula only
- Breast milk covers all fluid needs
- Formula covers all fluid needs
- No other drinks are necessary
- Not even water, juice, or tea
6–12 months: Breast milk + a little water
- Breast milk or formula is still the main drink
- Offer a few sips of water at mealtimes
- Use an open cup or sippy cup (not a bottle)
- Let your baby decide how much water they want
- Do not give juice, squash, or soda
Amount of water: Your baby doesn't need much extra water as long as they are breastfeeding or having formula. A couple of sips at each meal is enough. On hot days, you can offer a little more.
12–24 months: Water and milk
- Water as the main drink (for thirst, between meals)
- Whole milk, max 16 oz (500 ml) per day
- No juice, squash, or soda as everyday drinks
- Phase out the bottle — use a cup
Cow's Milk for Your 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 should wait until 12 months (porridge uses more milk than a sauce)
Cow's milk as a drink (from 12 months)
- Use whole milk (not low-fat for children under 2)
- Max 16 oz (500 ml) per day (including yogurt and cheese)
- Too much cow's milk leaves too little room for other food
- Cow's milk is low in iron and can inhibit iron absorption
Too much cow's milk (over 16 oz/500 ml per day) is a common cause of iron deficiency in toddlers. Cow's milk contains almost no iron, and the calcium in milk inhibits the absorption of iron from other foods. Stick to a maximum of 16 oz of dairy products total per day.
Whole milk or low-fat milk?
According to the AAP, children between 12 and 24 months should drink whole milk, not low-fat. Low-fat or skim milk does not provide enough fat for toddlers. After age 2, you can transition to low-fat milk if your child is growing well.
| 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 | 12–24 months | Main drink, max 16 oz/day |
| Low-fat milk | From 2 years | After age 2, if growing well |
| Skim milk | From 2 years | Not recommended for toddlers under 2 |
Plant-Based Milks (Oat Milk, Soy Milk, etc.)
According to the AAP, plant-based milks should be avoided before 12 months. This includes:
- Oat milk
- Soy milk
- Rice milk (contains inorganic arsenic — the FDA advises caution for young children)
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk (as a drink)
After 12 months: Plant-based milks can be used alongside cow's milk, but they do not replace cow's milk nutritionally. Choose varieties fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Plant-based milks generally contain less protein than cow's milk.
Rice milk and rice drinks are not recommended for children under 6 years because they contain inorganic arsenic, according to the FDA. This also applies to rice cakes and rice products in general.
Juice and Sugary Drinks
Before 12 months: No juice
According to the AAP, babies under 12 months should not have juice or sugary drinks:
- Juice contains a lot of natural sugar
- Juice lacks fiber (which is found in whole fruit)
- Juice can cause loose stools and diarrhea
- Juice takes the place of breast milk and nutritious food
- Your baby gets more nutrition from eating fruit than drinking juice
After 12 months: Very limited
- Avoid juice and sugary drinks as everyday beverages
- Max 4 oz (120 ml) of diluted juice with a meal (rarely)
- 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) | Artificial sweeteners, acid | Never for babies/toddlers |
| Squash/cordial | Sugar, no nutrition | Rarely after 12 months, heavily diluted |
| Iced tea | Caffeine, sugar | Never for babies/toddlers |
| Hot chocolate | 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 the absorption of iron 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 Your Baby to Drink from a Cup
From 6 months: Open cup
The AAP recommends an open cup over a bottle for water:
- Use a small cup with a wider rim
- Hold the cup for your baby and tilt gently
- Your baby will spill — that's completely normal
- A few sips at a time is enough
- Offer at every meal
From 8–10 months: Sippy cup
- Your baby can start with a sippy cup
- Choose one without a valve (your baby learns better drinking technique)
- Let your baby try on their own
- Use a waterproof bib
From 12 months: Wean the bottle
According to the AAP, the bottle should be weaned around 12 months:
- Bottles with milk increase the risk of dental problems
- Your 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 (under 4–6 per day)
- Dark urine
- Dry lips and mouth
- Lethargy or irritability
- Sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on the head)
If dehydrated: Offer more frequent breastfeeding or formula. Offer water (over 6 months). Contact your pediatrician if your baby has persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or shows signs of severe dehydration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 6-month-old baby drink water?
Yes. From 6 months, your baby can have water in small amounts at mealtimes. Use a small cup. Breast milk or formula is still the main drink. Your baby only needs a few sips.
Does my baby need water in summer?
Babies under 6 months do not need water, even in the heat. Offer more frequent breastfeeding instead. From 6 months, you can offer a little extra water on hot days, but breast milk or formula is still the most important.
Can my baby drink tap water?
Yes. In most developed countries, 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 your water quality (for example, well water), check with your local health authority.
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. Max 16 oz of dairy products per day.
Is oat milk OK for my baby?
Not before 12 months. Plant-based milks like oat milk, soy milk, and almond milk are not recommended as a replacement for cow's milk in the first year. After 12 months, fortified oat milk can be used alongside 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. Whole cow's milk as a drink from 12 months, max 16 oz per day. Avoid juice, sugary drinks, and soda. Plant-based milks should be avoided before 12 months.