How to serve, by age
6–11 mo
Offer a few sips of plain water between solid meals from an open or straw cup — drinking is a skill to practice.
12 mo+
Water freely as thirst dictates; open-cup skills keep improving.
Choking risk: Low
Babies tipping the head back to gulp can cough. Small sips, seated upright.
If choking ever happens: act immediately — call emergency services (911 in the US) and seek emergency care. Do not wait.
Allergens
Water is not among the eight most common food allergens (milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish). Any food can cause a reaction in principle — introduce new foods one at a time, during the day, and watch your baby.
Common questions
- Do we need special "baby water"?
- No. Tap water that meets drinking standards, boiled and cooled, is enough — skip the premium concept bottles.
Practical tips
- Before 6 months, without solids, no extra water is needed — milk is the water.
- Start open-cup practice from the spills-everywhere stage; it beats unlearning the straw cup later.
Sources
This page is general guidance assembled from the public sources above. It is not medical advice. For questions about your baby — including allergies, prematurity and any health condition — ask your pediatrician. See our medical disclaimer.