How to Keep Your Breastfed Baby Hydrated in Summer

As the temperature rises, it’s natural to worry about keeping your little ones comfortable and hydrated. If you’re breastfeeding, you might wonder if your baby needs extra water or formula during hot weather. The reassuring answer is: your breast milk is all your baby needs for hydration, even in the summer months!

Why Breast Milk Is Enough

Breast milk is perfectly designed to meet all your baby’s nutritional and hydration needs for the first six months of life. It naturally adjusts in composition, often becoming more watery during hot weather to quench your baby’s thirst. There’s no need to offer water or formula “top-ups”-in fact, giving water to young babies can be unsafe, as it may fill their tiny tummies and interfere with nutrient absorption.

Top Tips to Keep Your Baby Comfortable and Hydrated

1. Feed on Demand:
Your baby may want to feed more frequently in the heat, taking shorter, more frequent feeds to stay hydrated. Trust their cues and offer the breast whenever they seem thirsty or fussy.

2. Stay Cool:
Keep your baby out of direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day (11am–3pm). Use a sunshade on the pram, stick to the shade when outdoors, and avoid overheating indoors.

3. Dress Lightly:
A general rule: dress your baby in one more layer than you’re wearing. On hot days, a single layer (like a vest or lightweight sleepsuit) is usually enough. Avoid hats indoors and check your baby’s temperature by feeling their chest or back-not their hands or feet.

4. Keep Yourself Hydrated:
Your hydration is just as important! Breastfeeding in the heat can be thirsty work, so keep a water bottle handy and consider sipping on Milk’s Up breastfeeding tea. This caffeine-free blend is designed to support lactation and help you stay refreshed, with ingredients like fenugreek, fennel, and nettle. Or if you're more of a hot chocolate person, our Go With The Flow lactation hot chocolate makes an amazing milk shake in the summer.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to supplement with water or formula-just offer the breast often, keep your baby cool, and look after your own hydration. With these simple steps, you and your baby can enjoy a happy, healthy summer together.