Contents
Water to hydrate
Only water hydrates the body. Go for the still spring waters, weakly mineralized (check the labels carefully) or filtered tap water. When ? At meals, of course, and whenever he’s thirsty. Note: you should not give your child sparkling water before 3 yearss. And then, sparingly, because it risks causing bloating, especially as a child tends to drink quickly!
How much water should a baby drink per day?
The amounts of water to give baby to drink daily will vary according to his age. Generally, the infant requires a lot of hydration which will decrease as he gets older. According to the French Society of Pediatrics, until his three months, count approximately 150 ml of water per day. Between 3 and 6 months, we count between 125 and 150 ml of water per day. From 6 to 9 months, between 100 and 125 milliliters per day, then between 9 months and 1 year, count between 100 and 110 ml daily. Finally, between the first and the third year of the child, it is necessary to give him on average 100 ml of water per day.
Milk to grow taller
Due to its high calcium content and its many nutrients, milk must remain the drink and even the staple food up to 3 years. Prefer growth milk, better suited to its needs, at a rate of at least 500 ml per day, or even more! After 3 years, give her half a liter of whole milk per day (or the equivalent in dairy products). It meets their needs better than semi-skimmed milk. When ? Before 3 years old, in the morning, at snack time and after his soup. After 3 years, for breakfast and afternoon tea, without adding sugar!
Fruit juices for vitamins
Home-squeezed juices keep the taste of the fruit and its richness in vitamins if they are drunk quickly. If you buy them in bottles, choose pasteurized or fresh “pure fruit juices” and consume them quickly. When ? At breakfast or from time to time, as a snack, instead of a piece of fruit. Fruit drinks, obtained from water, sugar and fruit juice (at least 12%), contain sometimes additives. They are poor in vitamins and minerals, but still rich in sugars! When ? For special occasions such as parties, birthday parties, outings.
Sweet drinks: sodas sparingly
Very sweet (20 to 30 pieces of sugar per liter, or 4 pieces per glass), sodas do not quench thirst and give even more thirst. When? Exceptionally. Syrups are popular with children and more economical than other drinks. However, even very diluted, they still provide the equivalent of 18 lumps of sugar per liter, or about 2 lumps for a glass, but do not contain vitamins or nutrients. When ? Exceptionally, like fruit drinks and sodas.
Flavored waters for variety
They have the merit of containing mainly water (spring or mineral) and aromas. But their composition differs a lot from one brand to another. Their sugar content ranges from 6 g to 60 g (12 cubes) of sugar per liter! When ? For afternoon tea or for the holidays, favoring slightly sweetened waters. But beware: they disaccustom the child to the taste of water. So not too often, and never instead of water!
Light drinks instead of sodas
It might seem like a good solution for limiting the intake of unnecessary sugar and calories, especially if it tends to be coated. But it seems that the metabolism doesn’t react the same way to sweeteners and real sugars. In addition, it does not make the child unaccustomed to the taste of sugar.