Viva Vitality: Drinks for baby

By PAT MACINTOSH on June 21, 2023.

Every year as it starts to get hotter outside, I often get asked, “How do I make sure my baby is getting enough fluids?”

Babies under six months of age can meet their fluid needs with just breastmilk or formula. Continue to feed on demand as they may want to feed more often when it is hot out. Once babies are around six months of age and showing signs of readiness, you can start offering solid foods. Liquids in the foods are part of babies’ fluid intake.

Babies on solid foods can also be offered small amounts of water during the day. Cold tap water is best, but you can also offer plain bottled water or well water that is tested a couple of times a year to make sure it is safe. Do not use hot tap water, mineral or vitamin waters, or softened water. Offer water in an open cup to help baby learn drinking skills. You will have to help hold the cup for a while.

Around nine to twelve months of age you can offer babies whole 3.25% milk to drink. For babies who are breastfed, breastmilk can continue to meet their milk needs and you do not need to offer 3.25% milk if you don’t want to. Drinks other than milk and water are not recommended for babies.

Find more information in our short video, Drinks for Baby at bit.ly/3HktHYj. Additional topics covered in our new feeding babies video series include:

– Nutrition for breastfeeding

– Infant formulas

– Signs baby is ready for solid foods

– Iron rich first foods

– Baby-led weaning and self-feeding

– Making baby food

– Preventing food allergies

– Progressing food textures

– The feeding relationship

You can view all the videos at bit.ly/feedingbabiesvideos. Each video is less than five minutes and can be viewed on a tablet or phone. Share this great new resource with family and friends.