Topic: Breastfeeding

Just because it is a “kid’s drink” does not mean that it is actually healthy for kids. Here are 5 protips for healthy drinks for healthy kids:

1. Kick out beverages with added sugars. Even low calorie sweeteners aren’t recommended for young kids.
2. Look for juices labeled as 100% juice. And remember, a little juice can go a long way by adding water.
3. Knock out the caffeine. Don’t kids have enough energy anyway?
4. Make water the go-to drink. Great to playtime, mealtime and anytime.
5. Give the right milk for the right age. 0-1 years get breast milk or infant formula. 1-2 years get whole milk. 2+ years get low-fat (1%) or fat-free (skim) milk.

Cheers!

Learn more at www.healthydrinkshealthykids.org.

At different ages, kids need different types of milk.

• 0-12 Months: From birth to age 1, your baby only needs breast milk or infant formula.
• 1 Year: Starting at age 1, plain, pasteurized whole milk is good for your toddler. It is full of nutrients such as calcium, protein and vitamin D that are important for growing bodies. The recommended amount is 2 to 3 cups per day.
• 2+ Years: At age 2, kids should transition to plain, pasteurized fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. The recommended amount is up to 2 cups a day. Transitioning to lower fat milks helps children maintain a healthy weight. However, if your child is underweight or has other medical needs, consult with your health care provider to choose the best beverages for your child.

What about flavored milks?
Stick to plain milk. Flavored milks like chocolate and strawberry milk have too many added sugars.

What if my child cannot have cow’s milk?
When medically directed or culturally preferred, talk to your health care provider about non-dairy milks. Just remember to look for unsweetened options.

Do toddlers need a special “milk” when transitioning from breast milk/infant formula to cow’s milk?
Nope! Once your baby turns 1, she is ready for plain whole milk. Products known as “toddler formulas” or “toddler milks” often have added sugars, and most kids can get the nutrients they need from a healthy diet.

And that’s it! Keep it plain and simple. Cheers!

Learn more at www.healthydrinkshealthykids.org.

The amount of water each child needs might vary from day-to-day based on how active she is, the weather, or the amount of fluids she gets from other beverages like milk or foods like soups and applesauce. It also depends on age:

• 0-6 Months: No water
• 6-12 Months: Once solid foods are introduced around 6 months, you can offer a few sips of plain water at mealtimes. It helps babies develop cup-drinking skills and learn to like the taste of water, which takes time.
• 1-3 Years: Toddlers should drink 1 to 4 cups of water daily to get enough fluids.
• 4-5 Years: Preschoolers should drink 1.5-5 cups of water daily to get enough fluids.

Avoid waters with added sugar or low-calorie sweeteners. If you want to add a little flavor and fun to water, try adding fruit.

Cheers!

Learn more at www.healthydrinkshealthykids.org.

From 0-6 months, your baby gets all of the nutrients he needs from breastmilk or infant formula. Once solid foods are introduced around 6 months, you can offer a few sips of plain water at mealtimes. It helps babies develop cup-drinking skills and learn to like the taste of water, which takes time. Cheers!

0-6 months

Drink: Young infants need only breast milk or infant formula to get enough fluids and proper nutrition.

Avoid: Infants younger than 6 months should not drink juice, milk, flavored milks (e.g., chocolate, strawberry), “transition” or “weaning” formulas (sometimes called toddler milks, growing up milks, or follow up formulas), plant-based and non-dairy milks (e.g., almond, rice, oat), caffeinated beverages (e.g., soda, coffee, tea, energy drinks), low-calorie sweetened beverages (e.g., “diet” or “light” drinks, including those sweetened with Stevia or Sucralose), or sugar-sweetened beverages (e.g., soda, fruit drinks and fruit flavored drinks, fruit-ades, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened waters, and sweetened coffee and tea beverages).

6-12 months

Drink:

• Infants between 6 and 12 months should still rely on breast milk or infant formula to get most of their daily nutritional needs. Breast milk and/or infant formula also provide all of the baby’s fluid needs during this time.
• Once solid foods are introduced, which is typically around 6 months, try adding in a couple of sips of water during meal times. It helps babies develop cup-drinking skills and learn to like the taste of water, which takes time.

Avoid: Infants younger than 12 months should not drink juice, milk, flavored milks (e.g., chocolate, strawberry), “transition” or “weaning” formulas (sometimes called toddler milks, growing up milks, or follow up formulas), plant-based and non-dairy milks (e.g., almond, rice, oat), caffeinated beverages (e.g., soda, coffee, tea, energy drinks), low-calorie sweetened beverages (e.g., “diet” or “Light” drinks, including those sweetened with Stevia or Sucralose), or sugar-sweetened beverages (e.g., soda, fruit drinks and fruit flavored drinks, fruit-ades, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened waters, and sweetened coffee and tea beverages). These beverages can be big sources of added sugars in young children’s diets and provide no unique nutritional value beyond eating a balanced diet and sticking to water and milk. And, avoiding these kinds of beverages at a young age helps to create and maintain healthy habits down the road.

Learn more at www.healthydrinkshealthykids.org.