Drinks for Toddlers
Both the foods and the drinks you offer your toddler are important in helping her to grow up healthy.
What drinks should I offer?
Milk feed. Offer 500 ml (2 cups) of a milk feed over the course of a day but don’t provide more than 750 ml (3 cups). If your toddler fills up on milk, he won’t be hungry for other healthy foods he needs. Try offering 125 ml (½ cup) of milk at every meal and one snack time. Talk to your health care provider if your toddler does not drink at least 500 ml (2 cups) of milk a day.
Water. Offer cool water during the day and more often when the weather is hot or your child is very active. Bottled water is not necessary unless water is unsafe.
Juice. Too much juice leaves less room for healthy food choices. It can also cause tooth decay. Dilute 100% juice (1 part water to 1 part juice) and limit intake to 125 ml per day. Offer vegetables and fruit more often than juice.
Avoid sweetened beverages and other teas. Toddlers do not need sugary fruit punches, drinks, beverages, cocktails or soft drinks. Rooibos teas and water sweetened with sugar take the place of healthier foods and do not help children grow.
When should drinks be offered?
Serve milk feeds only at meal and snack times. Offer water between meals and snacks – it won’t spoil your toddler’s appetite and it is better for his teeth.
Related articles
Growth and Development
“Toddlers” refer to infants from the age of 12 months to 36 months.
5 mins to read
Why fathers are important to a child’s development and well-being
It’s an ongoing joy being a dad” – Liam Neeson
5 mins to read
Cerelac® Puffs
New NESTLÉ CERELAC® Puffs is a light, puffy and delicious cereal snack
5 mins to read
The Junior Eater from around 12 months and onwards
.
5 mins to read
The Smarts of Omega
Boost your child's brain and eye health with Nestlé Nankid® 4 OmegaSmart.
5 mins to read
Social & Emotional Development in your Toddler
As your toddler matures, their social skills grow. They begin to recognise, exhibit and feel emotions.
3 mins to read
Juniors are different
Juniors think differently, act differently and, most frustratingly, eat differently. They won’t eat what you want them to eat or they play with their food and expect you to play with it too.
5 mins to read
Enriched drinks provide your child with important building blocks for life
5 mins to read
Building immunity – nurture your child’s immune system
Your child is born with an immature immune system.
5 mins to read
Great ways to increase your toddler’s tastes
Expand your toddler's taste and appetite! Follow our helpful tips.
5 mins to read
Play time is fun time
Give your child enough time to play. Playing is learning
5 mins to read
Did you know?
As children begin eating from the family table, their diets begin to mirror diet patterns of older siblings and adults
1 min to read
The importance of your child growing up happy
We all love the warm, fuzzy feeling we get when our little ones laugh after a good tickle or two.
5 mins to read
Children and sleep: sweet dreams, strong immunity at bedtime
Getting enough quality sleep is essential to your child’s mental and physical health, not to mention that it makes your life as a parent easier when the kids are sleeping better.
3 mins to read
Growing Up Happy at Home Tips - Lockdown Play
5 mins to read
The Power of play based learning: why learning through play is important
Children understand the world around them through play – with every new experience, they learn something new and as the experiences stack, so do their skills and abilities.
2 mins to read
