In general, your baby shouldn’t drink water until he’s about 6 months old. Until then, he gets all the hydration he needs from breast milk or formula, even in hot weather.

Once your baby is 6 months old, it’s okay to give him sips of water when he’s thirsty. Don’t overdo it, though, or you might give him a tummy ache or make him too full to eat well.

After his first birthday, when your baby’s eating solids and drinking whole milk, you can let him drink as much water as he likes.

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*Why it’s unsafe to give water to babies 6 months and younger?*

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.

In rare cases, a baby who drinks too much water can develop a condition known as water intoxication, which can cause seizures and even a coma. Water intoxication happens when too much water dilutes the concentration of sodium in the body, upsetting the electrolyte balance and causing tissues to swell.