How much water your 1-year-old should drink on a daily basis depends on many factors, including his health, weight, activity level and whether you are still breastfeeding. Water makes up about 60 percent of your baby's weight and every system in his body depends on it. Each day your baby's body loses water through bodily functions and his body's water supply requires replenishing to prevent dehydration. While there is no exact formula for determining how much water your baby needs, understanding dehydration and what clues to look for can ensure your 1-year-old receives an adequate supply.
Importance
While babies under 6 months old do not need fluids other than breast milk or formula and children between 6 and 12 months require little water, a baby over 1 year old has more fluid requirements, especially if you are no longer breastfeeding. A child who does not receive enough water or other fluids may experience mild or chronic dehydration. Both conditions occur when your baby's body loses more fluid than he is taking in, with chronic dehydration resulting from an inadequate supply of water over a longer amount of time.
Recommendations
Pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu recommends offering your 1-year-old milk with meals and water any other time he is thirsty. Offering milk along with water guarantees your baby receives enough calcium as well as satisfies his water requirements. And since water also comes from food, it's not necessary to aim for a specific amount of glasses of water your baby should drink each day.
How to Know
Look for the signs of dehydration in your baby if you question whether he is receiving enough water. The first indicator is the color of his urine; it should look colorless or just slightly yellow when he is properly hydrated. More serious signs of dehydration include sunken eyes, weight loss, decreased urination and increased thirst.
Other Tips
When your child is at least 1 year old, you may give him other fluids besides water to increase his fluid intake. Particularly when he is sick, offer him fluids he prefers such as broths, popsicles and gelatin. If your baby is vomiting, offer him fluids in small amounts frequently throughout the day. Giving your baby an electrolyte solution can ensure he does not become dehydrated when sick. Contact your physician for advice if you are concerned about your baby's fluid intake.
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