What Good And Bad Drinks For Your Baby ?

Here's the truth on your child's drinks and beverage options. Learn which ones are healthiest and which ones to limit or avoid and why.

Note: The information in this slideshow is for children ages 1 and older. Babies under 6 months should drink only breastmilk or formula. Infants 6 to 12 months can also have small amounts of water. Experts recommend that you wait until your child turns 1 to introduce cow's milk.

Water

You can't go wrong with safe drinking water. It hydrates, helps regulate body temperature, and helps prevent constipation and urinary tract infections, all without adding calories or sugar to your baby’s diet.

Coconut water (elaneer / nariyal pani)

Coconut water is a very healthy option for your toddler. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and is ideal in preventing dehydration because it replenishes the natural salts lost by the body through sweat or other fluid loss. It is a great drink to give your child if she has diarrhoea.

Note: Coconut water is not suitable for children with kidney problems.

Flavoured or enhanced water

You can make flavoured water by adding a little fruit juice to plain filtered or boiled water. Or you can add freshly cut fruit to a glass of water for a delicate fruity taste or freeze fruits and use them instead of ice cubes. Just be careful that the fruit pieces are not small enough to be accidentally swallowed or they could be a choking hazard!

Limeade (nimbu pani)

Limeade (nimbu paani) is a good source of vitamin C, which helps the body absorb iron. It is also very refreshing in the heat, especially with a hint of mint (pudina). But limeade tends to be high on sugar, especially if it is bought in the market. Market bought varieties might also contain artificial flavours and colouring, which are not good for your child. Check the list of ingredients at the back to choose a variety made from real fruit.

Fruit juice

Juice is an acceptable way to get one serving of fruit each day, but whole fruit is a better choice. Juice lacks fibre and contains less of some nutrients than whole fruit. Plus, children tend to fill up on juice instead of healthier foods. 

You can make the juice at home or buy it in the market. If you buy it, make sure the package says ‘100 per cent juice’ otherwise there might be more colouring and artificial flavours than real juice. Limit your child’s juice intake to 3/4 cup per day. (Children age seven and older can have up to 1 cup a day.).

Milk drinks

After your baby turns one, she needs to have about 350ml of cow's milk each day. This will provide her with essential protein, calcium, magnesium and vitamins B12 and B2 (riboflavin). You can give her milk based drinks such as milkshakes, almond (badaam) milk, smoothies, lassi or chhaach. If she doesn't like milk, give two portions of calcium-rich foods instead.

It is not a good idea to give your child more than 350ml of milk a day. If you do, it may cut her appetite for solid foods that have other essential nutrients like iron and vitamins.

Cultured dairy beverages, yogurt drinks, probiotics and prebiotics

Most of these products have the same nutrients as milk, but some aren't fortified with vitamin D, so read the nutrition label if you are buying a packaged version. Some are made with live bacteria cultures which may aid digestion and protect the body from harmful gut bacteria. However, there may not be enough bacteria in one serving to make a difference to your child's health. Flavoured varieties contain added sugar. You also need to check the 'use by' date and storage instructions especially in hot humid weather.

Vegetable juice

Vegetable juices are a good way to feed veggies to a fussy eater. Tomato (tamatar) or carrot (gajar) juices are usually the favourites. You can try different combinations of vegetables. Some vegetables do not have much flavour on their own. Adding them into the juice with other tastier vegetables is a good way of getting your baby to have them.

If you buy vegetable juice, choose a variety with as little sodium as you can find. Some packaged juices contain more than half of a child's daily sodium allowance in one serving.

Soy milk (non-dairy made from soya beans)

Soy milk is an acceptable alternative to cow's milk (especially for those who are lactose intolerant), but it contains fewer nutrients. If your child drinks soy milk as a substitute for cow's milk, his doctor may recommend a vitamin supplement. He may also be put on a calcium supplement, especially if he does not have any other form of dairy products.

Some soy milk brands are fortified with calcium and vitamins A, D, and B12. Soy milk contains no saturated fat or cholesterol and may be enriched with omega-3 fats. Flavoured varieties tend to contain added sugar.

Rice milk (non-dairy made from rice grains)

Rice milk contains fewer nutrients and less protein than cow's milk. If it is given instead of cow’s milk, your paediatrician will advise you on other ways of getting the vital nutrients in your child’s diet.

Most families make rice milk at home because it is not easily available in the market. If you do buy it, check that the rice milk is fortified with calcium and vitamins A, D, and B12. Sweetened varieties of rice milk contain added sugar. Be sure to check the 'manufacture date' and 'use by' date.

Almond milk (non-dairy made from crushed almonds)

Almond milk contains fewer nutrients and less protein than cow's milk but almonds are rich in several vitamins. If almond milk is given instead of cow’s milk, your paediatrician will advise you on other ways of getting the vital nutrients in your child’s diet.

You can make almond milk at home by blending blanched almonds and water. If you find it in the market, check that it is fortified with calcium and vitamins A, D, and B12. Sweetened varieties of almond milk contain added sugar. Be sure to check the 'manufacture date' and 'use by' date.

Coconut milk beverages

Coconut milk beverage contains fewer nutrients and less protein than cow's milk, so it's not a good substitute. To make the most of this beverage, choose a brand that's fortified with calcium and vitamins A, D, and B12. Some varieties have a bit more saturated fat than low-fat cow's milk; others have less. And while health claims have been made recently for the fat in coconut oil, there's no real evidence that it's particularly good or bad for you. Sweetened varieties of coconut milk beverage contain added sugar. Be sure to check the 'manufacture date' and 'use by' date.

Fizzy drinks and sodas

Fizzy drinks have no nutritional value. Most brands contain artificial colouring or flavours. They also contain high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Some fizzy drinks also have caffeine. None of these ingredients are good for your child.

Sweetened drinks

Cordial, syrups or other concentrates that are dissolved in water, flavoured drinks that do not specify '100 percent juice' or juice powders contain ingredients that your child doesn't need (sugar, artificial sweeteners) or already gets enough of (vitamins). They may even contain additives that could be harmful (caffeine, artificial flavouring and food colours). Sports drinks often contain extra sodium, which young children don't need.

Tea

Regular tea (green or black) contains antioxidants, which are beneficial, but the tea may also contain caffeine, which your baby shouldn't have. If your child is very fond of tea, give no more than 1/4 of a cup per day and make sure it is very weak. Ginger tea (adrak ki chai) is often given to help soothe colds and sore throats. You can make it with holy basil (tulsi) leaves instead of black tea leaves.

Coffee and cold coffee

Coffee also contains caffeine and often, when coffee or cold coffee is made for children, it has a lot of sugar as well. Store-bought cold coffee or coffee based drinks available in coffee shops and ice cream parlours also often have a dollop of ice cream or chocolate syrup. This makes the drink very high on calories with very few nutrients.

Energy drinks

These products have no nutritional value. Most energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine as well as sugar or artificial sweeteners. Some contain herbs and additives that may not be safe for children.