Drinks
What your child drinks: only water and milk, juice within limits, soda and sports drinks occasionally, or no rules.
What should our child drink?
In short: Parents choose between 4 main approaches: Water and milk only; Juice within limits; Soda and sports drinks occasionally; Unrestricted. Evidence: well established. Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. Best settled: toddler.
- Evidence
- Well established
- Best settled
- Toddler
- Part of
- Raising the child
Drinks: what are the options?
Parents usually land on one of these 4 approaches.
1. Water and milk only
The child drinks only water and milk.
2. Juice within limits
Juice is allowed in small amounts.
3. Soda and sports drinks occasionally
Soda and sports drinks are an occasional treat.
4. Unrestricted
There are no rules about drinks.
Drinks: what does the evidence say?
Well established. Guidance and evidence agree. The real question is whether you'll follow it. (Settled in direction)
AAP: no juice under 1; at most 4 oz a day at ages 1-3
Sources
What else is worth knowing?
Sugary drinks are a main source of added sugar for children. Water and milk are the usual recommendation for everyday drinking. The question is how firm you are about the rest.
Questions to ask each other
- What do we want our child to drink every day?
- Are juice and soda ever okay, and when?
- What would we do at parties and restaurants?
More in Food and eating
First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.