Drinks to give your baby 0 to 12 months

It's important to keep babies hydrated. But their needs change as they grow.

0 to 6 months

Breastfed babies get all the nourishment they need from your milk. They do not need any other drinks. These would reduce the amount of breastmilk they take.

If you are formula feeding your baby, you can give them cooled boiled water. This will help if your baby is constipated.

6 months onwards

From about 6 months, plan to gradually introduce a cup or free-flow beaker for drinks.

Aim to replace all bottles with a cup or beaker by the time your baby is about 12 months old. Aim that they will use a cup for all drinks other than breastfeeds by this age.

Milk

Breast milk should be used as the main drink for the first year of life. If you choose not to breastfeed, standard infant formula should be used.

Types of formula milk

Small amounts of pasteurised full fat cow's milk can be used to prepare weaning foods from 6 months onwards. Cow's milk should not be your child's main milk drink until they are 1 year old.

Cool boiled water

Offer your baby cooled boiled water in a cup at mealtimes or at snack times. Continue to boil and cool both tap and bottled water for your baby until they are 12 months old.

Fruit juices

Your baby doesn't need fruit juices. If you choose to give your baby juices, only give them small amounts of well-diluted, unsweetened fruit juice. Dilute 1 measure pure fruit juice to 8 to 10 measures cooled boiled water.

Serve this in a beaker only at mealtimes and only from 1 year onwards.

Fizzy drinks

Do not give your baby fizzy drinks. They have a lot of sugar and acid, which are harmful to teeth. Fizzy drinks also fill up your baby's small tummy so they may not want to eat their meals.

Caring for your child's teeth

Tea and coffee

Do not give your baby tea or coffee. They make it difficult for iron to be absorbed and contain caffeine which is not recommended for babies.