Together with Tatiana Anatolievna Evdokimova,the senior lecturer of the Department of Dietetics and Nutritionology of the State Educational Institution of Higher Education of the Republic of Moldova and the expert of HiPP, we decided to find out which drinks will suit the child and will benefit him, and which ones should not be given up to a certain age or better completely excluded from the children's diet.
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Drinks for children up to one year
Up to 6 months of age, babies who are breastfedfeeding, do not need additional drinks. Even in summer, the milk they receive during feeding is enough for them. On the hottest days, you can only add one or two spoons of water if the child sweats a lot or has a dry mouth. With artificial or mixed feeding, the baby needs to get a little water, but no more than 100-150 ml per day. Clean water should be the first additional drink that the child gets acquainted with after breast milk. Already at 6-7 months, when complementary foods usually begin to be introduced into the child's diet, you can give the baby a few spoons of liquid. It is especially useful to do this on hot days to avoid dehydration. Of course, children should not be given tap water, as well as "adult" mineral water from bottles, even non-carbonated. For the little ones, there is special water marked "baby", which will be as safe as possible. Not only cool drinks are suitable for saving from the heat, but also warm tea, thanks to which the body starts mechanisms to reduce body temperature. However, children under one year old should not drink the tea that adults drink, due to the content of caffeine, tannins and tannins. For babies, there are special drinks made from herbs and fruits, which are selected depending on the age and needs of the child. In the first months of life, tea can become not only salvation from the heat, but also a safe remedy that improves the condition of the baby. For example, tea with fennel eliminates colic and normalizes the digestive system, and tea with chamomile is useful for fighting colds and gastrointestinal problems. Linden and lemon balm have a calming effect, and rose hips can act as an antipyretic. Be sure to check the age recommendations on the packaging, because some types of tea can be given after 1 month, and others - only after six months. If the child is 6-7 months old and is receiving his first complementary food, natural juices are already allowed in the diet. Special children's drinks are suitable for babies, and at first it is better to choose those made from only one type of fruit or vegetable. Previously, juices were given at the initial stage of complementary feeding, but today it is recommended to introduce them after the child has become familiar with the first few products and reacted well to them. You should start with green apple juice, since an allergy to it is unlikely, and then try pear or plum juice
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Drinks for children from 1 year to 3 years
If the child is already one year old, then forto escape the heat, you can offer him compote, but it should not contain sugar. For children, a drink made from fruits with low allergenic properties, such as apples or pears, is suitable. If the baby reacts well to it, then you can give compote of plums or berries, such as cherries. One of the safest options will also be compote of dried fruits, which has a positive effect on the child's immunity after 1-1.5 years. At 3 years old, you can already add fruit drink made from cranberries, blackberries, lingonberries, raspberries, blueberries or currants to the baby's menu. A drink rich in vitamins should be prepared independently and choose only one type of berries, and fruit drinks from the store are best given at a later age, closer to 4 years. Also for a child of this age or yogurt. Many mothers give kefir even during the introduction of complementary foods, but after a year this product will be safer. During this period, you can also introduce cow's or goat's milk into the child's diet, which are undesirable at an earlier stage, as they contain too much protein and have high allergenic properties.
Drinks for children from 4 to 6 years
At 4 years old, the child is already familiar with mostdrinks, and he develops his own preferences. At this stage, parents can already share "adult" tea, juice or mineral water with the baby. You can also expand the menu of the little gourmet with original drinks, such as coconut milk or a milkshake, which, however, should not be abused. In the summer, children play, run and have fun a lot, so they definitely need additional liquid, and the most useful is clean still water. Also, an excellent option would be homemade cold tea with a slice of lemon or a cocktail of fruits or berries whipped in a blender - a storehouse of vitamins for a growing body. At this age, many children try soda, but it is better to wean the child off this drink in childhood, since the food additives included in its composition can harm the child's health.
Drinks for children over 6 years old
For a child who is preparing for a new stage in his or her lifelife or is already going to school, needs good health and lots of energy. To stay alert, he needs enough fluids, so teach the younger members of the family to drink water as often as possible during the day.
Photo:Getty Images Milk, kefir and pomegranate juice are also considered the healthiest drinks for schoolchildren. Even in the hottest weather, try to avoid soda, and, despite the fact that the child is already quite old, do not rush to introduce him to kvass, although it is so pleasant to drink in the stuffiness. Another undesirable drink for children is coffee. Even if you really love its amazing aroma in the morning and are happy to escape the heat with an iced frappe, do not accustom your child to it, who will still have time to get acquainted with coffee culture in adulthood. Also interesting:
