What Are The Best Drinks For Your Baby?

The best drink for babies from birth to 6 months is breast milk (or formula, if breast milk is unavailable). Breastfed babies don't need anything but breast milk for their first 6 months.

From 7 to 12 months, breast milk (or formula) and water are the best drinks for your baby. You can offer some water in a cup, although your baby still gets enough to drink from breast milk.

You may choose to continue to breastfeed your baby beyond 12 months of age.

Wait until your baby is 12 months old before offering them cow's milk.

Avoid giving your baby drinks containing natural or added sugar (like fruit juice, cordial, fizzy drinks, or flavoured milks). These aren't good for your baby. The sugar in the drinks can damage your baby's teeth and may cause your baby to develop a taste for sweetened foods.

Never give your baby tea, coffee, alcohol, or energy drinks or other adult drinks.

Call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 for parenting advice, including advice about feeding your baby.