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Can babies eat sparkling water?

🚫 No 6–8m 🚫 No 9–11m ⚠️ With care 12m+

✅ Cross-checked against pediatric feeding guidance · Oct 2026 audit

⚠️ Educational info only. If your baby is choking and cannot cry or cough, start infant choking first aid and call 911 (US). For a suspected allergic reaction or poisoning, call your pediatrician — or Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222.

Not before 12 months — carbonation fills tiny tummies with gas and offers nothing water does not. After the first birthday, plain sparkling water occasionally.

The age-by-age verdict

Age	Verdict	How it reads
6–8 months	🚫 No	Not at this age — keep it off the plate
9–11 months	🚫 No	Not at this age — keep it off the plate
12 months +	⚠️ With care	Only some forms — check the prep rules

Why

The bubbles themselves are the issue for infants: carbonation brings gas, bloating and a false feeling of fullness into a stomach the size of a fist, and it can make babies reject the milk feeds they actually need. It also teaches fizz as the normal texture of drinks. Flavored sparkling waters add sweeteners or citric acid on top, which is a separate problem.

How to serve it safely

Before 12 months, stick with still water, breast milk and formula. After the first birthday, plain unsweetened sparkling water is fine as an occasional novelty in an open cup — check the label for added sweeteners, flavors and sodium, and skip versions with any of them if your toddler will drink still water anyway.

Warning signs to watch for

Carbonated drinks in young babies can mean gassiness, burping, fussiness and taking less milk than usual.

When to call for help

If your baby seems unusually gassy or is feeding poorly after carbonated drinks, mention it to your pediatrician. US Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.

Common questions

Can I give my 8-month-old sparkling water on a hot day?

No — regular cool water is the right choice from 6 months on. The gas and fullness from fizz work against exactly what a hot day requires.

Does the carbonation hurt baby teeth?

Plain carbonated water is mildly acidic but far gentler than soda or juice; still, plain still water remains the default drink for young children.

My toddler loves bubbles — how often is okay?

After the first birthday, plain sparkling water now and then is harmless. Keep it a sometimes-thing and make still water the everyday drink.

More drinks & sweeteners for babies

Honey🚫 NoNo — not before the first birthday. Honey can carry spores that cause infant botulism; after 12 Water✅ YesYes — from around 6 months, small sips of plain water with meals are fine. Before 6 months, no: Soy Milk🚫 NoallergenNot as a drink before the first birthday — breast milk or formula leads. In cooking, small amoun Almond Milk🚫 NoallergenNot as a drink before the first birthday, and even after 12 months it is a thin choice — almond Oat Milk🚫 NoNot as a drink before the first birthday; after 12 months it is okay in moderation but low in pr Rice Milk🚫 NoAvoid as a baby drink entirely — rice-based foods and drinks can carry arsenic from rice itself,

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Every baby is different — if your baby ate something concerning or is unwell, contact your pediatrician right away. Emergencies: 911 (US). Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222.