Drinks & extras Food Library
When can babies have sparkling water?
Can babies have sparkling water?
Plain sparkling water is fine for toddlers from 12 months as an occasional drink. Before 12 months, babies only need breast milk or formula plus small sips of still water. Choose unsweetened sparkling water with no added sugar, caffeine or sweeteners, and keep still water as the everyday drink.
How to serve sparkling water by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Skip sparkling water. Breast milk or formula is the main drink, and you can offer a few sips of plain still water from an open or straw cup with meals.
7–8 months
Keep skipping sparkling water and offer small sips of plain still water from an open or straw cup with meals, alongside breast milk or formula. Fizzy drinks can fill a small tummy with gas.
9–12 months
Keep offering plain still water with meals. Fizzy drinks can fill a small tummy with gas and are not needed yet.
12 months +
Offer a small amount of plain, unsweetened sparkling water in an open cup now and then, such as at a party or with a family meal. You can add a slice of cucumber or a squeeze of orange for flavor, but keep still water as the main drink.
Why it’s good
Plain sparkling water has the same hydration as still water, with no calories. Some mineral waters add small amounts of calcium and magnesium, while club soda may contain added sodium. It offers no extra benefit over tap water for young children.
Safety notes
- Choose plain sparkling water. Avoid tonic water, which contains sugar and quinine, and flavored waters with sweeteners or caffeine.
- Bubbles can cause burping, gas or a full feeling, so offer small amounts and not right before meals.
- Sparkling water is slightly acidic. Plain sparkling water is much gentler on teeth than soda or juice, but still water remains best for frequent sipping.
- Check labels on club soda and some mineral waters for sodium, and choose lower-sodium options.
- Fizz can make toddlers cough or sputter. Offer it seated, in small sips.
A low-allergy food, still worth watching
Sparkling water is not a common allergen. Flavored sparkling waters may contain natural flavors or other additives, so read the label if your child has known food allergies.
Sparkling water for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about sparkling water for babies and toddlers.
When can babies have sparkling water?
Babies can have plain sparkling water occasionally from 12 months. Before then, babies need only breast milk or formula plus small sips of still water with meals.
Can babies drink sparkling water?
Babies under 12 months should not drink sparkling water because the bubbles can cause gas and fill a small tummy. Toddlers over 12 months can have a little plain sparkling water now and then.
Is sparkling water a choking hazard for babies?
Sparkling water is not a choking hazard, but the fizz can make young children cough or sputter. Offer sparkling water in small sips while your toddler sits upright.
Is sparkling water a common allergen?
No, sparkling water is not a common allergen. Flavored sparkling water may contain additives, so check the ingredient list if your child has food allergies.
What should I give a 6 month old instead of sparkling water?
Instead of sparkling water, offer a 6 month old a few sips of plain still water from an open or straw cup with meals. Breast milk or formula is still their main drink.
Is sparkling water bad for toddler teeth?
Plain sparkling water is only slightly acidic and is far gentler on teeth than soda or juice. Still, offering sparkling water with meals rather than for all-day sipping is best for toddler teeth.
Are flavored sparkling waters okay for toddlers?
Flavored sparkling waters without sugar, sweeteners or caffeine are generally fine for toddlers in small amounts. Many flavored sparkling waters contain artificial sweeteners or added juice, so check the label first.
Can sparkling water give toddlers gas?
Yes, sparkling water can cause burping, gas or bloating in toddlers. Offering small amounts of sparkling water and not too close to mealtimes can help.
Is club soda or tonic water the same as sparkling water?
Club soda is sparkling water with added minerals, often including sodium, and tonic water contains sugar and quinine. For toddlers, plain sparkling water or seltzer is the better choice, and tonic water is best avoided.
The takeaway
- Plain sparkling water is fine for toddlers from 12 months as an occasional drink.
- Offer a small amount of plain, unsweetened sparkling water in an open cup now and then, such as at a party or with a family meal.
- Choking risk is low. Not a Top 9 allergen, but offer a small amount first and watch for any reaction.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Recommended Drinks for Young Children Ages 0-5 American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 U.S. Department of Agriculture and HHS
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.