When can an infant have water?

Answer 1

The answer to the question that you asked is: almost as soon as you can pop a bottle with a nipple into its mouth. However that is not a sensible thing to do as a rule. Unless there is something badly wrong there is no sensible reason to give a newborn baby anything but mother's milk.

Just a mouthful or two of water fed to a baby, clean water of course, is not generally likely to do much harm as long as it is not too hot or too cold. However, any more than this and you are risking the child's health or life. Electrolyte balance is vital for a small child, and a drink of water that would not nearly harm an adult could fatally upset the electrolyte balance of a baby. If you bring any water for a baby to drink, you had better have a very good reason.

Answer 2

An infant can actually drink water right away.

you should take proper care though so that you do not give chlorinated water or tapwater from areas where it might contain certain unwanted bactereas or chemicals/minerals.

Mothersmilk is better for it anyway as it contain what it need to grow.

It might be difficult to know though whether your infant is hungry or just thirsty, but water is the best for thirst.

There are a few considerations to make, and growth and weight development is to be considered when deciding for your baby whether it should have more or less water instead of milk.

Answer 3

In general, it's not a good idea to give your baby water until he's about 6 months old. Until then, he'll get all the hydration he needs from breast milk or formula, even in hot weather.

Giving a baby younger than 6 months old too much water can interfere with his body's ability to absorb the nutrients in breast milk or formula. It can also cause his tummy to feel full, which curbs his desire to feed. (While small sips of water probably won't hurt your baby, it's best to check with his doctor before hand during those first six months.)

My mother has had 4 kids. Being the second I've watched 2 grow up, i know this from experience my mom is very finicky about giving her children the foods and drinks they need at the right time.