What Your Kids Should Be Drinking

You may have figured out how to get the right foods for your children to eat, but making sure that they drink the right stuff is just as important. Babies get enough water in their milk, but once they are on a mixed diet it is good to offer water as well. Milk continues to be a good source of calcium but water is the best drink for thirst. Fluid needs vary depending on age, weight, and diet, check with your child's pediatrician for a recommendation of how many ounces to aim for each day. But in general, offer your child a drink every two to three hours, more often if they are active or thirsty. Here is some tips on what they should be drinking.

Water is the best choice, it is free of calories, easy to absorb, and a good thirst quencher. If your child will not drink plain water, add a splash of his favorite fruit juice or some sliced oranges ( or other fresh fruit) to a pitcher of cold water. A special bottle of water keeps it handy for on the go.

Milk is not as good a thirst quencher as water. But milk(even the chocolate variety) contains nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin, and protein. During the first year of life children should either be breast-fed or be given iron-fortified formula. Give whole cow's milk to children 12 to 24 months old. Children who don't like the taste of milk will often drink 3 servings a day if they are offered chocolate or strawberry milk. Flavored milks do not have any nutritional drawbacks. By age 5, kids should be drinking nonfat milk. Limit milk to three to four o8-ounce glasses a day.

Juice is an all time favorite for the kids and it also provides such nutrients as vitamin C. Fortified orange juice can also contain calcium and vitamin D. But to much juice can cause weight gain, tooth decay, stomach upset, and diarrhea. The American Academy of Pediatrician suggests that children ages 1-6 drink no more than 4-6 ounces of juice per day, and that a 7-8 year olds consume no more than 12 ounces daily. Infants under 6 months of age should not be given juice, although many Pediatricians do recommend small amounts of juice for children that are constipated. Serve your child 100 percent fruit juice, and avoid such labels as "fruit drinks" and "fruit cocktails".