What about all of the other types of drinks? For formula-fed babies 12 months and under, see You can continue to breastfeed your baby after 12 months for a year or more, as long as you and your baby want to. Īt 12 months, you can transition your baby from breastmilk or formula to whole or reduced-fat milk. How to Safely Prepare Formula with Water. Solid foods to your baby's diet, continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months. Remember, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding as the sole source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months. Note that the actual water intake is unlikely to replace much breast milk or formula at this point. If you live in an area where the water isįluoridated, drinking water will also help prevent future tooth decay. This helps develop cup drinking skills and familiarity with water. When can I give my baby water? How much is ok?Īround 6 months, you can start offering your baby a little bit of water (4-8 oz/day, 0.5-1 cup/day) in an open, sippy, or strawed cup. Young children who are introduced to sweet drinks at a young age develop a strong preference for them―making water and plain milk a harder sell. We know children who drink mostly water and plain milk from a young age tend to continue drinking them as they age. How do young children develop unhealthy beverage preferences? For information about short-term use of cow's milk for children over 6 months of age during the current baby formula shortage, read this article. *Children ages 12-24 months are advised to drink whole milk and children 2 and older nonfat (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk. Suggested Daily Water & Milk Intake for Infants & Young Children Milk provides calcium, vitamin D, protein, vitamin A, and zinc―all essential for healthy growth and development.

Water provides the hydration all of us need to live. Thankfully, the best-choice beverages are really simple: water and plain milk. But from plant-based and toddler milks to 100% juice, stevia-sweetened fruit drinks and flavored milk, the options and the marketing can be overwhelming. What you offer your child to drink in the first 5 years of life can shape taste preferences for a lifetime.

Whole milk wic approved