Tzeadim › 6–12 months

Feeding · Transition

Water with meals from 6 months

Most children: 6m–9m

What it is

Once solids start, offer a little water in an open or straw cup with meals. Water is the only drink besides milk.

Start preparing

1. A few sips per meal is enough — milk still covers hydration in the first year.
2. Use the same cup you want them to keep using; skipping the sippy stage saves a transition later.
3. No juice, no sweetened drinks, no tea — they crowd out milk and coat new teeth in sugar.

Related

• Sips from an open cup
• Stop sippy/spout cups

Sources

• Complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months (2023) — World Health Organization · checked 30-08-2026
• Dietary guidelines (Mediterranean pattern) — Israel Ministry of Health · checked 30-08-2026
• Added sugars and children — American Heart Association · checked 30-08-2026

Last reviewed 30-08-2026 · Confidence: high

Compiled with AI assistance from the public sources listed above. Not yet reviewed by a clinician — check anything important against the source, with Tipat Halav or with your doctor.