When Can My Child Drink Water and Juice? – The Child Cubby

As a father or mother, I am all the time googling issues to seek out solutions to questions on my child. You’ve got been there too? In fact you might have! One thing I’ve needed to ask google (and my pediatrician) about is when are you able to give your child water or juice? Looks like a foolish query, however don’t be concerned it is not–it’s one thing all dad and mom ought to know as a result of giving your child the appropriate or unsuitable type of liquids can have an effect on their well being and diet, and the reply will depend on their age and their particular wants. So let’s discover out collectively!

When Can My Child Begin Consuming Water?

It is suggested to begin giving your toddler just a few sips of water once they start consuming stable meals. Begin by introducing water from a learners cup, this won’t solely introduce them to a brand new style, however it should even be one thing new and enjoyable for them to be taught.

Any water your child drinks at this age is supposed to get them used to its style and introduce the talents wanted for cup ingesting, not for hydrating them utterly. So don’t be concerned in case your child doesn’t like water at first. It’s not meant to exchange breastmilk or formulation, which nonetheless gives all of the water your child wants. As soon as your child is over the age of 1 then the sport modifications just a little, however all the time seek the advice of together with your kid’s pediatrician on what’s really useful after age 1 and if water or milk must be their major supply.

According to many if not all pediatricians, infants shouldn’t be given water earlier than 6 months of age. In the event you give your youngster too much water or water at too early of an age then it can lead to weight reduction, electrolyte imbalances, decreased milk provide, nutrient deficiencies, and in excessive circumstances result in seizures. 

Should not my child be ingesting water to remain hydrated?

The reply is NO. That is FALSE. This one thing I’ve heard from many mothers, even from my very own mother. We immediately assume that as a result of we want water to remain hydrated that our infants will want it as effectively. It is okay to be involved about their hydration, however be assured that infants really get all of the hydration they want from breastmilk or formulation for the primary 12 months of their lives. Even on the most well liked of days, breastmilk or formulation nonetheless gives adequate water on your new child/toddler. Bear in mind to by no means water down formulation or breastmilk–it will be very harmful on your youngster and likewise result in water intoxication.

How a lot water ought to child drink as soon as they’re sufficiently old?

As talked about earlier than, as soon as your youngster hits the suitable age of 6 months to 1 12 months, slowly introduce small sips of water to get them conversant in it and tips on how to drink it. You may seek the advice of this chart from SolidStart.com as a information, however please reconfirm the quantity together with your kid’s pediatrician. 

It’s also suggested to not give your youngster water in a sippy cup or 360 cup however slightly have them drink from an open cup or straw cups to assist with oral well being.

When Can My Child Drink Juice?

Not solely does juice refill your toddler’s tiny tummy, leaving much less room for milk and nutritious meals, however the excessive quantity of sugar in juice could cause abdomen cramping, tooth decay, and diarrhea in younger infants. Juice provides further energy with out giving a balanced diet that formulation or breastmilk offers and that your youngster wants. 

As soon as your youngster has handed the suitable age to offer them juice, take the following pointers when giving it.

• Restrict the juice to not more than 2–4 fl. oz. (60–120 ml.) per day.
• Water down juice or use a sugar-free juice
• By no means give powdered juice combine, solely give 100% fruit juice
• By no means give juice to a baby who has diarrhea or as a therapy for dehydration.
• Solely give juice throughout time for supper

Ought to I give my child juice to offer them vitamin C and introduce taste selection to their food regimen?

The reply is NO. That is FALSE. American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that, “juice has no important function in wholesome balanced diets in kids and infants. Infants presently ingesting juice usually tend to wish to drink soda and different sugary drinks once they’re older. Juice and different sugary drinks could cause weight acquire, diarrhea, and tooth decay.” All of the vitamins that your toddler might ever want of their first 12 months of life come from breastmilk or formulation; and even after a 12 months, it’s more healthy to offer your toddlers and older children actual fruit and water as an alternative of juice. 

Can juice assist my child in any approach?

For infants underneath 1 12 months previous, the reply is not any. For youngsters older than 1, some sorts of fruit juice will be useful to ease constipation. Some pediatricians could suggest any juice that begins with a “P”, (prune, pear) to assist ease their abdomen or assist with bowel actions. Be sure you ask your kid’s physician earlier than making an attempt this in case there are different approaches that might be higher.

We hope this publish has helped you study when is the right time to introduce water or juice to your youngster. A very powerful factor to know is that there a undoubtedly one true type of diet, hydration, and protected liquid to offer your toddler and that’s with mommy’s milk or formulation. We promise that this can have your child flourishing in a powerful physique and rising wholesome and comfortable!