Introducing fluids
Babies under 6 months should only have breast milk or infant formula, even in hot weather.
From around 6 months, you can start offering small amounts of water, but breast milk or formula should remain your baby’s main drink until 12 months of age.
Did you know?
A baby's kidneys and digestive system are still developing. Giving water too early can be dangerous, increasing the risk of water intoxication and reducing essential milk intake.
Guide to introducing fluids by age
Birth to 6 months old
- Only breastmilk or infant formula should be given.
- No extra fluids are needed, even in hot weather.
- Formula must be made with boiled and cooled water.
- Breastmilk is 87% water, providing all the hydration your baby needs.
Recommended intake: around 700 ml per day from breastmilk or formula.
6 – 12 months old
- Offer small sips of boiled and cooled tap water in a straw or open cup.
- Cups support motor skill development and healthy drinking habits.
- Most hydration should still come from breastmilk, formula, and food.
Recommended intake: around 800 ml daily, with at least 600 ml as actual fluids (not just from food).
Above 12-months old
- Tap water can be offered straight from the tap (if it meets Australian safety standards).
- Boiling is no longer needed.
- Introduce full-fat, pasteurised cow’s milk as a drink.
- Breastmilk can be continued as long as the parent and child are both comfortable.
Recommended intake: around 1.4 litres per day, with at least 1 litre from fluids like water, cow’s milk, or breastmilk.
Preparing water
For babies under 12 months, always boil and cool tap water before mixing with formula or offering as a drink (from 6 months of age). Boiling removes harmful bacteria and contaminants that infants are more sensitive to.
If you don’t have access to clean tap water or electricity, you can use unopened, still-bottled water (not sparkling) instead.
Dairy milk and plant-based alternatives
From 12 months, babies can start drinking whole, pasteurised cow’s milk. However, plain water should still be their main drink, and cow’s milk should be limited to two cups (500 ml) daily.
You might consider plant-based alternatives if your baby can’t have cow’s milk. But be aware that many options like soy, oat, rice, coconut, or almond milk are not fortified and often have lower protein content, which might leave your baby feeling hungrier.
Before switching, speak with your GP or paediatrician about suitable fortified options.
After age 2, toddlers can have reduced-fat or fat-free milk.
A note about cow's milk
The World Health Organisation suggests cow’s milk may be used from 6 months as a formula alternative, but the Australian NHMRC recommends waiting until 12 months to introduce it as a drink. More research is needed to confirm the safety of early introduction.