Hurray! We have heard the news! It’s time to introduce water bottles for our little munchkins. Wait, are you having the clouds of dilemma already? We understand that parenting isn’t easy, and introducing water to your baby’s routine requires careful timing and preparation. However, knowing the right time to introduce a baby water bottle can be confusing for parents. Why? There are a few things that can raise these concerns such as introducing a water bottle for babies too early or too late can impact their feeding habits. It includes oral development, and overall hydration as well. Often this dilemma is triggered because of the varied options of bottles available in the market. You might be wondering, what about water bottles? Each water bottle comes with a specific design and features, and we must pay close attention to it. If we don’t do that, it can lead to a mess.
Worried already? Worry not, Littloo is here to guide you!
What Happens When You Introduce Water Early?
Believe it or not, introducing water early can lead to water intoxication. What is that? It’s a dangerous condition caused by electrolyte imbalance. How is it dangerous? Well, this imbalance can cause seizures, brain damage, or even other serious life measures.
When Can You Introduce Water Bottle?
Littloo parents, we know hydration is essential for health but infants have unique needs that differ from toddlers and older children. Thus, understanding when and how to introduce water becomes necessary. It will support your baby’s growth and further development. Ideally, your baby should begin using a water bottle only after they start semi-solid food to solid foods. Usually, when a baby reaches up to 6 months. Before reaching this milestone, breast milk or formula provides all the hydration and nutrients they need.
The 6 month Milestone:
First of all, congrats to our cutie pies on achieving the 6 months milestone! Exciting it is, isn’t it? At 6 months, babies can be introduced to small amounts of water such as 20-30 ml, (then increase it to 60-100 ml) in an open or straw cup. During their mealtimes, this habit will encourage them to practice drinking skills. By the time they reach the 12-month milestone, their water intake can be increased up to 100-200 ml daily, alongside the usual intake of breast milk or cow’s milk.
However, it is important to understand that water should never replace breast milk or formula in the first year. Why? Because it will impact their weight, especially poor weight gain. You must always prioritize milk feeds along with momentary use of water and encourage skill development, such as learning to sip from a cup or water bottle.
Read More: Choosing the right organic baby skin care products for Newborn babies?
What’s in a Bottle? : Water Bottles For Babies & Their Usage
If you are thinking about what’s in a water bottle design and why it matters, you need to understand the right bottle and baby water bottles usage. Sippy cups, open cups, straw cups and water bottles for babies come in unique designs that help babies remain hydrated without the fear of bottle leakage. For example, at Littloo we design such water bottles that come along with a sipper. It not only makes hydration for babies extremely safe, and mess-free, especially when your baby is transitioning from breastfeeding to independent drinking. With its thoughtful design and child-friendly features, this bottle combines practicality with playful aesthetics to appeal to both parents and babies. Plus, it offers leakage-proof hydration for your baby.
Baby Water Bottle Usage:
Let’s get to know the water bottle usage! Parents, while it’s tempting to introduce a bottle right away, Littloo recommends starting with open cups or straw cups or a bottle that comes along with a sipper. Why? It’s all about developing those oral motor skills for little buds. Because sucking from a bottle is a usual action for your baby, but learning to sip from a cup is a new challenge. It will promote their oral development and also they will learn to hold things properly. Believe it or not, it might even help them develop certain speech skills.
Littloo’s baby hydration guide says that around 6 to 9 months, you can introduce a straw cup as it will strengthen the muscles used for speech. Or you can introduce a small baby bottle that comes with a sipper. As for the traditional sippy cup with a spout cup? Well, Littloo believes you must skip it altogether, as it doesn’t offer significant developmental benefits. Instead, opt for a cup with a soft spout or a small, open cup designed for little hands or a small water bottle. When you choose a cup with bright colours, it will evoke curiosity in babies and they will love to hold that water bottle.
Read more: Choosing the Best Baby Feeding Bottle for Your Infant
Littoo’s Care Tip & Baby Hydration Guide:
As we discussed, babies don't require any water for the first six months of life. As mother’s milk or formula provides all the hydration and nutrients they need. Also, introducing water at such tender months can be detrimental. Not only it can lead to reduced milk intake and potential malnutrition but also exposes them to the risk of water intoxication, which can be dangerous. Babies’ kidneys aren’t mature enough to handle water properly. Thus, Littloo parents you must follow this baby hydration guide we have curated for your precious babies!
Months/Years |
Water Intake per day |
|
6 months |
20-30ml /60-120 ml |
|
6-9 months |
200-300 ml |
|
1-3 years |
1 litre |
|
4-8 years |
1.2 litres |
|
9-13 years |
1.4-1.6 litres |
Before Littloo Bids You Goodbye!
Our beloved babies, as you are nearing your first birthday, water intake shifts from novelty to necessity. But now is the time you must take a careful step towards your hydration, let your wonderful parents introduce you to your favourite water bottle. Remember, Littloo parents, this journey for a baby’s water bottle usage isn’t a race but a necessity for your baby. Let’s celebrate every sip, each splash, each tiny victory. In the end, the ‘when’ is a dance between biology and curiosity, a rhythm guided by growth.
So, raise your water bottle cutie pies to your milestone, each water drop will nurture you for a future of healthy habits. Here’s to the journey, one refreshing sip at a time, Littloo bids you goodbye for now!