According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, water should be given to babies from 6 months of age, which is when foods begin to be included in the diet. Furthermore, it is important to remember that the water must be filtered, boiled or treated with chlorine, and offered to the baby in a glass or cup.
Before 6 months, if the baby is fed with infant formula, the supply of water, in addition to that used to prepare bottles, must be done in accordance with the pediatrician’s instructions. See the different types of infant formula for your baby.
Babies who feed exclusively on breast milk up to 6 months do not need to drink water, as milk provides the amount of water necessary to hydrate the baby. Furthermore, giving water to babies under 6 months of age who are exclusively breastfed can increase the risk of diarrhea or vomiting.
Amount of water according to the baby’s age
The amount of water to give the baby must be calculated according to age. It is important to note that the basic recommendations are for babies who are not dehydrated due to diarrhea or other health problems. If the baby is dehydrated or if the temperature in the room is too high, it is important to offer more water to the baby. Know the signs of dehydration in children.
Below are the recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics regarding the amount of daily water intake for babies:
Up to 6 months of age
A baby that exclusively breastfeeds until 6 months of age does not need water, even in hotter regions and days, because breast milk provides the amount of water the baby needs. This way, whenever the mother breastfeeds, the baby is also drinking water.
If the baby is fed with infant formula, the recommended water intake up to 6 months of age is 700 ml per day, and it is important to consult the pediatrician regarding the need to offer pure, filtered or boiled water, in addition to that used in the preparation. of bottles.
From 6 to 7 months of age
From 6 months of age, the baby starts to eat some foods, increasing the amount of fiber, protein and sodium in the diet. Therefore, to avoid constipation or kidney overload, babies aged 6 to 7 months should drink around 700 ml of water per day, including water from breast milk, water used in preparations such as soups, and pure water offered throughout the day.
From 7 to 12 months of age
From 7 to 12 months of age, the baby’s need for water increases to 800ml per day. To achieve this amount, it is important to consider the water from breast milk or the water used to prepare infant formula, the water used to prepare soups and stews and pure water, which should be given to the baby throughout the day and in small increments. portions.
From 12 to 36 months of age
Babies between 12 and 36 months need to drink around 1300 ml of water per day, of which 900 ml should be pure water and meals, such as stews or soups. Furthermore, at this age, the baby can already drink natural fruit juices, which is why you can give him a maximum of 150 ml of the drink per day.
How to give water to your baby
Water should be given in a glass, cup or spoon, avoiding using bottles or nipples, so that the baby does not confuse the nipple of these utensils with the nipple of the mother’s breasts, which could cause him to refuse breastfeeding.
Water should be given to the baby while sitting, with the head and neck aligned, to prevent him from choking. Furthermore, it is important to give water in small portions, throughout the day and between meals, to prevent the baby’s stomach from becoming bloated and he has less desire to eat.
Baby water must be filtered, treated with chlorine or boiled beforehand, as these precautions help prevent infections that can cause fever, diarrhea or vomiting. Likewise, it is essential that the utensils used to serve water, such as glasses, spoons or cups, are also well sanitized.
Bibliography
- WEFFORT, Virginia R. S. et al. Nutrition Manual – from childhood to adolescence. 4th ed. São Paulo: SBP, 2018.
- BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS. How much water do babies and children need to drink?. 2018. Available at: <https://www.sbp.com.br/imprensa/detalhe/nid/qual-a-quantidade-de-agua-que-bebes-e-criancas-precisam-tomar/>. Accessed on June 23, 2021
- BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS. Nutrition department guidance manual: nutrition from infants to adolescents, nutrition at school, healthy eating and mother-child bonding, healthy eating and disease prevention, food safety. 2012. Available at: <https://www.sbp.com.br/fileadmin/user_upload/publicacoes/14617a-pdmanualnutrologia-alimentacao.pdf>. Accessed on June 23, 2021
- MINISTRY OF HEALTH. Food Guide for Brazilian Children Under 2 Years. 2019. Available at: <http://189.28.128.100/dab/docs/portaldab/publicacoes/guia_da_crianca_2019.pdf>. Accessed on June 23, 2021
- BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS. Do exclusively breastfed babies up to the 6th month need to drink water?. Available at: <https://www.sbp.com.br/especiais/pediatria-para-familias/nutricao/bebes-em-aleitamento-materno-exclusivo-ate-o-6o-mes-precisam-tomar-agua/ >. Accessed on June 23, 2021