When can babies eat water?

The earliest stage on this page is 6–8 months: Offer sips of water from an open or free-flow cup with meals. Breast milk or first infant formula stays the main drink.

How do I cut and serve water for my baby?

6–8 months (Sips from a cup): Offer sips of water from an open or free-flow cup with meals. Breast milk or first infant formula stays the main drink. 9–11 months (Sips from a cup): Keep offering sips from an open or free-flow cup with meals. 12–24 months (Sips from a cup): Make water one of the main drinks and discourage bottles from 12 months.

Water

Water does real work in these recipes: it hydrates focaccia and no-knead loaves, becomes the broth in oxtail and bone-broth soups, and sets how soft Chinese steamed eggs turn out. Start a stock in cold water and bring it up slowly. In baking and steamed custards, measure it exactly, since a few spoonfuls change the result.

61 recipes use this ingredient

Water

Not a common allergen. It is not on the UK list of 14 foods that must be declared on labels.

How to serve Water to babies

6–8 months
Sips from a cup
Offer sips of water from an open or free-flow cup with meals. Breast milk or first infant formula stays the main drink.
9–11 months
Sips from a cup
Keep offering sips from an open or free-flow cup with meals.
12–24 months
Sips from a cup
Make water one of the main drinks and discourage bottles from 12 months.