Drinks for children
12 months and beyond
- Keep breastfeeding for as long as you and your baby are happy to.
- Infant formula is not needed after 12 months.
- You can give your baby full-cream cow’s milk.
- From around 12 months of age your child does not need more than 500 mL or 2 cups of milk a day.
- Too much milk can stop children from eating other everyday foods because it fills them up.
- When your child is 2 years old, they can have low fat or reduced-fat milk (not skim or fat free milk).
- Sweet drinks such as juice, cordial and soft drink are high in sugar and are not good for teeth.
Make water the main drink
- Tap water is the best everyday drink for children and adults.
- Give water whenever your child asks for a drink.
- Have water on the table at mealtimes.
- Show that you enjoy drinking water by drinking it too.
- Take a water bottle when you go out.
Tip:
Fun items such as straws, drink bottles or decorated cups can make drinking water fun.
Content taken from page 12 of the Start them Right Booklet