Should infants drink water

You can offer water in between feeds. The most important thing to check is whether your child is getting enough fluids. Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on to speak to a maternal child health nurse for advice and support. Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and energy drinks — and, of course, alcohol — are not suitable for children of any age.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. There are no shortage of drink varieties in Australia, but the best drinks you can give your kids are water and milk.

What are healthy drinks for kids and teens? Water is best. Low-fat milk is OK. Soft drink, cordial and fruit juice have a lot of sugar and are best avoided. Read more on raisingchildren.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering. Video call. This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional. Another seemingly harmless act that can lead to trouble is diluting formula or breast milk. Because formula and breast milk are calorie rich, they stay in the body longer rather than overwhelming the kidneys.

Most babies will see water as a sort of novelty at this age and still prefer their milk. Some might even balk at the taste and make a face, especially if they were expecting something else! Related: When can baby drink water? Depending on if your baby was born prematurely or has certain health conditions, your timeline for introducing water may vary.

In addition, if your baby shows any of these signs of water intoxication, head to the hospital immediately:. But now you also know the why behind the guideline. You may have questions about feeding your baby. How much should they eat? How often should they eat? Will they ever be on a schedule? Here is what you….

Figuring out a feeding schedule for a newborn is difficult for most parents. Once your child is months old, their milk intake will reduce, ideally to a maximum of 16 ounces per day. At this stage, you may have established a routine involving breakfast , lunch , and dinner , while introducing a variety of new foods.

Due to the increased activity of your child, the reduced milk intake, and the varied food intake, water intake will naturally increase. This amount increases each year. The number of 8-ounce cups an older child consumes each day should correspond with their age up to a maximum of eight 8-ounce cups per day. For example, a two-year-old should consume two 8-ounce cups per day. For most children, all you need to do is provide frequent access to water and they will drink enough to meet their needs.

If you seem to have trouble encouraging your child to consume water through a sippy cup, try these additional tips to ensure adequate hydration. Offer small amounts of water throughout the day. Your child will be hydrated but not full from other fluids, which may affect their meal intake.

Young kids seem to be intrigued by colors and shapes. You could use colorful cups and fun-shaped straws so that your little ones are excited about consuming water. Buy: Shop for cups and straws. Encourage fluid intake before, during, and after activities. These drinks contain sugar and can cause tooth decay, even when diluted. For older babies and young children, these drinks can fill your child up so they're not hungry for healthier food. Instead, offer sips of water from a cup with meals.

Watch out for drinks that say "fruit" or "juice" drink on the pack. These probably won't count towards your child's 5 A DAY and can be high in sugar.

Fizzy drinks are acidic and can damage tooth enamel so they shouldn't be given to babies and young children. Diet or reduced-sugar drinks aren't recommended for babies and young children.

Even low-calorie drinks and no-added-sugar drinks can encourage children to develop a sweet tooth. Tea and coffee aren't suitable for babies or young children. If sugar is added, this can lead to tooth decay.

For information and advice you can trust, sign up for weekly Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails. You can find pregnancy and baby apps and tools in the NHS apps library. Page last reviewed: 21 November Next review due: 21 November Drinks and cups for babies and young children.

Solid foods and milk for your baby You should continue to breastfeed or give your baby first infant formula until they're at least 1 year old. Breastfeeding will continue to benefit you and your baby for as long as you carry on.

As your baby eats more solid foods, the amount of milk they want will decrease. Beakers and cups for babies Introduce your baby to drinking from a cup or beaker from around 6 months and offer sips of water with meals. Once your baby is 1 year old, feeding from a bottle should be discouraged. Choosing a baby beaker or cup It's important to choose the right kind of beaker or cup.

Drinks for babies and young children Not all drinks are suitable for babies and young children. Breast milk This is the only food or drink babies need in the first 6 months of their life. Breastfeeding up to 12 months is associated with a lower risk of tooth decay Formula milk First infant formula is usually based on cows' milk and is the only suitable alternative to breast milk in the first 12 months of your baby's life. Cows' milk can be introduced as a main drink from 12 months.

Non-cows' milk formula Goats' milk formula is available and produced to the same nutritional standards as cows' milk formula.