Drinks

Children should have 6-8 beakers or cups of fluid per day and each cup should contain 100-150ml (4-6 fl oz).

It’s best to encourage open cups or beakers and to avoid ‘non spill’ cups as when drinking from these children have to suck the fluid across their teeth which can contribute towards tooth decay.

The best drinks you can offer your children are milk and water as they are the least likely to cause tooth decay.

Whole milk is needed for children under 2 to help them obtain adequate nutrition for growth. From the age of 2 semi skimmed milk can be introduced, provided your child is eating a well balanced diet.

Fruit juice diluted with water is very nutritious and the vitamin C it contains helps your child to absorb the iron in their food. However, as fruit juice contains natural sugar it is best given with food rather than as a drink on its own.

Fruit drinks, squashes and fizzy drinks, whether they are sugar free or not, should not be encouraged as they erode tooth enamel and do not supply any valuable nutrients.

Tea and coffee are not advisable for under 5s as the tannins these drinks contain can interfere with the absorption of iron.