The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against giving an infant any fluids besides breast milk or formula in the first six months. The Academy limits the maximum amount of water that a child can receive from 6 months to a year at about half a cup throughout the day.
Too much water leads to malnutrition or water poisoning, and in extreme cases water poisoning leads to seizures and coma and the child needs urgent medical care. Water should be offered to the child in cups equipped with safety valve, silicone or BPA-free plastic nozzle, and nutritionists recommend skipping this stage.