Food and Nutrition Guidelines - Barnsley Council Online

Drinks
Breast fed babies less than 6 months should
have no additional requirements for water,
breast milk provides all the water they need.
Formula fed infants can have additional fluids
when thirsty. Tap water should be boiled then
cooled for infants under 6 months.
• To help prevent tooth decay try giving your
child water to quench thirst instead of soft
drinks and fruit drinks, as they are very acidic
and contain lots of sugar
Drinking from a cup
• Water is the ideal drink from 6 months and
should be offered and available at all times
• A free-flowing beaker should be introduced
for drinks around 6 months of age and aim to
stop using a bottle by the baby’s first birthday
• From twelve months full fat cow’s milk can
be offered as the main drink unless there is a
known allergy to cow’s milk
• It is recommended that all drinks are offered
through an unlidded cup at child’s first
birthday and all bottles disposed off.
• The only safe drinks for teeth are milk and
water
• Sugar sweetened drinks including
carbonated drinks such as lemonade and
coke, fruit based juices, squash and natural
fruit juices should be avoided as these are
well recognised as causes of dental decay. If
these are to be given, limit to mealtime only
and well dilute (1 part juice to 10 parts water)
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