Has your baby drunk enough?

With this advice, you’ll be armed with the knowledge you need to keep your baby well hydrated (as well as knowing how to spot when they’re not).

Is my baby drinking enough?

While it’s possible to measure milk quantities for bottle feeds, you can’t measure a baby’s fluid intake when they’re breastfeeding. The good news? If your baby has 6-8 wet nappies every day, he or she is likely to be well hydrated.

What are the signs of dehydration?

If a child hasn’t had a wet nappy in 6-8 hours or if any urine they do produce is darker in color or has a strong smell, they could be dehydrated. Keep an eye out for other signs of dehydration such as lethargy or drowsiness, a sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on top of baby’s skull), crying without tears, cold and blotchy feet and hands, and dry lips.

What can I do if my baby is dehydrated?

Seek advice from your doctor; and offer and encourage your child to drink frequent small amounts of his or her usual milk (breast or formula). You can also offer sips of cooled boiled water if your baby is formula fed.

What else can my baby drink?

Breast milk or formula should be your child’s main drink up to 12 months of age. In addition, you can introduce the following drinks at each stage:

2-5 months

You can offer sips of cooled boiled water, if your child is formula fed and seems to be thirsty in hot weather. Breastfed babies don’t need additional water at this stage (they will feed more frequently to satisfy thirst).

6-12 months

Once solids have been introduced, you can offer water throughout the day (but no more than four to six ounces per 24 hours). With meals, you can try fruit juice (diluted one-part juice to 10 parts water). Full-fat cow’s milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food (but not given as a drink yet).

Top tip: fruit juice that contains Vitamin C can help your baby to absorb iron from food (but remember that juice isn’t recommended as a daily drink for young children).

12 months +

Full-fat cow’s milk or full-fat fortified milk can be offered as a drink now; and lower fat cow’s milk can be used in meals and cooking (but not yet as a drink).

Is there anything my baby shouldn’t drink?

Some bottled water contains too much salt, so check the label to ensure there is less than 20 milligrams of sodium per liter (or try baby water, which is specially formulated). Other drinks to be avoided include:

• Semi-skimmed or skimmed cow’s milk
• Unpasteurized milk
• Goats’ and sheep’s milk
• Tea, coffee or any other caffeinated drinks (including energy drinks)
• Herbal tea
• Carbonated (fizzy) drinks and flavored water
• Milk alternatives such as oat, almond or soya (unless they are prescribed by a doctor)
• Flavored milk, milkshakes and rice drinks

Is there anything else I should know?

Drinking too much water can lead to a serious condition called oral water intoxication, so be mindful of how much you offer to your baby. If in doubt, it’s best to seek medical advice.