Type: Video

What milk is good for my kid?

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.

Is juice good for my kids?

Eating slices of fruit is more nutritious and satisfying for little bellies than drinking juice. But a little bit of the right juice in the right portions can be OK. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Look for 100% Fruit Juice. A lot of sugary drinks try to disguise themselves as fruit juice, but don’t be fooled by imposters. Check the ingredient list to make sure there are no added sugars.
  • Give the right amount for the right age. Fruit juice is not recommended for kids under age 1. For ages 1-3 years, no more than 4oz of 100% fruit juice per day. For ages 4-5, not more than 4-6oz of 100% fruit juice per day.
  • Healthier tips. You can help make a little juice go a long way by adding water. Or even better, switch it up. Try adding real fruit to your kids’ water.

Cheers!

Learn more at www.healthydrinkshealthykids.org.

How much water do kids need?

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.

What should my toddler drink?

From ages 1-3, your toddler only really needs two things: Water & Milk. Water is a great go-to drink throughout the day (1-4 cups of water per day). Milk is great for mealtime. Starting at age 1, plain whole milk is recommended (2-3 cups of milk per day). It has fats and nutrients that are important for your child’s rapidly growing brain. At ages 2 and 3, you can offer plain fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk (up to 2 cups of milk per day). If your little one can’t have dairy, talk to your health care provider about unsweetened alternatives. What about juice? If you choose to serve juice, use 100% fruit juice and no more than 4oz per day. Cheers!

12-24 months

Drink:

Water

  • Children between 12 and 24 months should drink 1 to 4 cups of water daily to get enough fluids.
  • The amount of water each child needs might vary from day-to-day based on how active s/he is, the weather, or the amount of fluids s/he gets from other beverages like milk or foods like soups and applesauce.

Milk

  • Children between 12 and 24 months old can be introduced to plain, pasteurized whole milk, which 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.
  • Whether your one-year-old needs 2 cups or 3 will depend on how much solid food s/he eats. As children get closer to 2 years and transition to eating more food at mealtimes, they will need less milk.
  • If there is a family history of obesity or heart disease, reduced-fat (2%) or low-fat (1%) milk may be considered in place of whole milk, in consultation with your child’s pediatrician.

Limit:

100% Fruit Juice

  • Children 12 to 24 months old should drink no more than 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice per day. Adding water to 100% fruit juice can make a little bit go a long way.
  • As much as possible, children should meet their daily fruit intake by eating fruit in fresh, canned, or frozen forms without added sugars, rather than by drinking juice, as this is the best option.
  • If this is not possible, then a combination of whole fruit and 100% fruit juice is okay, as long as a child does not drink more than the upper limit of 4 ounces per day.
  • This is because juice, even 100% fruit juice, can contribute to dental cavities, and if kids drink more than is recommended, it can have other negative health impacts such as weight gain.

Avoid:

  • Children 12 to 24 months old should not drink 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).
  • Plant milks/non-dairy beverages are not recommended for exclusive consumption in place of milk. Evidence indicates that, with the exception of fortified soy milk, many plant-based/non-dairy milk alternatives lack key nutrients found in cow’s milk. Our bodies cannot absorb nutrients in these non-dairy milks as well as they can from regular milk. Non-dairy milks may be a good choice if a child is allergic to dairy, lactose intolerant, or is in a family that has made specific dietary choices such as abstaining from animal products. Be sure to consult with your health care provider to choose the right milk substitute to ensure that your child is still getting adequate amounts of the key nutrients found in milk, such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which are essential for healthy growth and development.
2-3 years

Drink:

Water

  • Children 2 to 3 years old should drink 1 to 4 cups of water daily to get enough fluids.
  • The amount of water each child needs might vary from day-to-day based on how active s/he is, the weather, or the amount of fluids s/he gets from other beverages like milk or foods like soups and applesauce.

Milk

  • Children 2 to 3 years old 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 stay within daily calorie recommendations, which helps promote 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.

Limit:

100% Fruit Juice

  • Children 2 to 3 years old should drink no more than 4 ounces of 100% juice per day. Adding water to 100% fruit juice can make a little bit go a long way.
  • As much as possible, children should meet their daily fruit intake by eating fruit in fresh, canned, or frozen forms without added sugars, rather than by drinking juice, as this is the best option.
  • If this is not possible, then a combination of whole fruit and 100% juice is okay, as long as a child does not drink more than the upper limit of 4 ounces per day.
  • This is because juice, even 100% fruit juice, can contribute to dental cavities, and if kids drink more than is recommended, it can have other negative health impacts such as weight gain.

Avoid:

  • Children 2 to 3 years old should not drink 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, 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).
  • Plant milks/non-dairy beverages are not recommended for exclusive consumption in place of milk. Evidence indicates that, with the exception of fortified soy milk, many plant-based/non-dairy milk alternatives lack key nutrients found in cow’s milk. Our bodies cannot absorb nutrients in these non-dairy milks as well as they can from regular milk. Non-dairy milks may be a good choice if a child is allergic to dairy, lactose intolerant, or is in a family that has made specific dietary choices such as abstaining from animal products. Be sure to consult with your health care provider to choose the right milk substitute to ensure that your child is still getting adequate amounts of the key nutrients found in milk, such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which are essential for healthy growth and development.

Learn more at www.healthydrinkshealthykids.org.

What should my preschooler drink?

From ages 4-5, your preschooler only really needs two things: Water & Milk. Water is a great go-to drink throughout the day (1.5-5 cups of water per day). Low-fat (1%) or fat-free (skim) milk is great for mealtime (up to 2.5 cups of milk per day). If your kid can’t have dairy, talk to your health care provider about unsweetened alternatives. What about juice? If you choose to serve juice, use 100% fruit juice and no more than 4-6oz per day. Cheers!

4-5 years

Drink:

Water

  • Children 4 to 5 years old should drink 1.5 to 5 cups of water a day.
  • The amount of water each child needs might vary from day-to-day based on how active s/he is, the weather, or the amount of fluids s/he gets from other beverages like milk or foods like soups and applesauce.

Milk

  • Children 4 to 5 years old should drink plain, pasteurized fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. The recommended amount is up to 2.5 cups a day.

Limit:

100% Fruit Juice

  • Children ages 4 to 5 years old should drink no more than 4-6 ounces of 100% juice per day. Adding water to 100% fruit juice can make a little bit of juice go a long way.
  • As much as possible, children should meet their daily fruit intake by eating fruit in fresh, canned, or frozen forms without added sugars, rather than by drinking juice, as this is the best option.
  • If this is not possible, then a combination of whole fruit and 100% juice is okay, as long as a child does not drink more than the upper limit of 6 ounces per day.
  • This is because juice, even 100% fruit juice, can contribute to dental cavities, and if kids drink more than is recommended, it can have other negative health impacts such as weight gain.

Avoid:

  • Children 4 to 5 years old should not drink 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).
  • Plant milks/non-dairy beverages are not recommended for exclusive consumption in place of milk. Evidence indicates that, with the exception of fortified soy milk, many plant-based/non-dairy milk alternatives lack key nutrients found in cow’s milk. Our bodies cannot absorb nutrients in these non-dairy milks as well as they can from regular milk. Non-dairy milks may be a good choice if a child is allergic to dairy, lactose intolerant, or is in a family that has made specific dietary choices such as abstaining from animal products. Be sure to consult with your health care provider to choose the right milk substitute to ensure that your child is still getting adequate amounts of the key nutrients found in milk, such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which are essential for healthy growth and development.

Learn more at www.healthydrinkshealthykids.org.

What should my baby drink in the first year?

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.

What is a good first food for your baby?

As your baby transitions from breast milk and/or formula to now trying foods for the first time, it may have you wondering: What is a good first food to feed my baby?

Foods that are rich in iron and zinc make great first foods. This is especially important for breastfed babies since babies will start to require more iron than found in breast milk alone. Iron is a key nutrient that is important for your baby’s growing body and brain.
Iron-rich first foods include:

  • Meats like chicken, turkey or beef. Animal meats contain iron that is easy for your baby’s body to absorb.
  • A variety of infant cereals that are fortified with iron and zinc, including oat, barely and multigrain cereals. Look for infant cereals that are labeled “Fortified with iron and zinc.” It’s important for babies to eat different types of infant cereal – like oat, barely and multigrain – so of feed your little one a variety of grains, not just one kind.

While there is no specific order to introducing foods, it is important to introduce your baby to foods that are rich in iron and zinc.
And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.
To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

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No-cook first foods

Not all homemade baby foods require cooking. Try these easy, no-cook first foods for babies. All you need is a fork for mashing.

Banana
Simply peel a ripe banana and mash it with a fork. Add water, breast milk or infant formula for a smoother texture.

Avocado
Cut and peel the avocado. Mash it with a fork. Add water, breast milk or infant formula for a smoother texture.

Canned Beans
Open a can of beans, rinse them under water, and put some in a bowl. Mash them with a fork. Add water, breast milk or infant formula for a smoother texture.

 That’s it! Enjoy! And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to cook sweet potato

Sweet potatoes are rich in several essential nutrients like potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and B-complex. All of these are important for your baby’s growing body and brain. And sweet potatoes are simple to make!
Here are steps to cook sweet potato for your baby:

Step 1: Wash, peel and cut your sweet potato

If you’re using frozen sweet potato, you can skip this step. But if you’re using fresh sweet potato, rinse the sweet potato with water, peel it, and cut it into small chunks.

Step 2: Boil the sweet potato

Place the sweet potato chunks into a medium pot, cover with water and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat until the sweet potato is soft (about 15 minutes). Drain and let cool. As a tip, to speed up the cooling process you can rinse the sweet potato with cold water.

Step 3: Puree or Serve as a Finger Food

For a smoother texture, you can puree the sweet potato in a blender. Add water, breast milk or infant formula and blend until it is smooth. If your baby is already enjoying soft finger foods, you can simply offer him or her bite-sized pieces of soft sweet potato.

That’s it! Enjoy! And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

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How to cook broccoli

As your baby begins to try foods for the first time, it is important that he or she eat foods that are rich in iron and zinc. Broccoli is full of iron and other important nutrients that are essential for baby’s growing body and brain. And it is easy to make!
Here are steps to cook broccoli for your baby:

Step 1: Cut and wash your broccoli

If you’re using frozen broccoli, you can skip this step. But if you’re using fresh broccoli, remove the stalks and rinse with water.

Step 2: Boil the broccoli

Place the broccoli into a medium pot, cover with water and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat until the broccoli is soft (about 15 minutes). Drain and let cool. As a tip, to speed up the cooling process you can rinse the broccoli with cold water.

Step 3: Puree or Serve as a Finger Food

For a smoother texture, you can puree the broccoli in a blender. Add water, breast milk or infant formula and blend until it is smooth. If your baby is already enjoying soft finger foods, you can simply offer him or her bite-sized pieces of broccoli.

That’s it! Enjoy! And remember, talk to your child’s pediatrician or health care provider about any questions or concerns.

To learn more, check out these additional resources related to this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More