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.