Frequently Asked Questions about babies and drinking

• What drinks can I give my baby?
• Help! My toddler won’t drink water and keeps demanding ‘juice’
• What about fruit juices?
• How can I tell if my baby is drinking enough?

Making sure your baby is getting enough fluid is really important. It doesn’t take long for babies to become dehydrated in summer temperatures, whether they are indoors or out. And a cool drink is really refreshing when it’s hot.

Young babies who are solely breast- or bottle-fed usually take in enough fluids from their milk, but once weaning begins - and for toddlers and children - you need to offer extra drinks

What drinks can I give my baby?

• Out and about When you are out, or when you are in the garden, a small insulated bag will help to keep your baby’s drink nice and cool - and keep the flies away!

  Plain water is good, especially between meals.
• All water given to babies should be boiled and cooled before use
• Many parents like to use bottled mineral water since it is free of the chemicals used in processing tap water. However, If you plan to use bottled water, check that it is marked on the label as being suitable for babies (some natural mineral waters are too high in calcium or sodium)
• If you have a water softener fitted at home, make sure you keep one at that supplies hard water for drinking. Softened water contains relatively higher levels of sodium that is unsuitable for babies to drink

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• Try diluting fruit juice with a little water at first and then gradually make it more and more dilute.
• It’s best to use a feeding cup or beaker for drinks rather than let babies or toddlers suck for a long time on a feeding bottle - even fruit juice contains naturally-occurring sugars which shouldn’t be in prolonged contact with growing teeth

Hipp Organic Fennel Drink is also an excellent - and very soothing - sugar-free drink to use for babies and children (and a good herbal ‘tea’ for mums and dads too). It can be used from 4 months onwards and contains no added sugar. It is made purely and simply with organically-grown fennel, which has a very appealing and naturally mild and gentle taste

Prepare Hipp Organic Fennel Drink as you would any herbal tea (it comes as individually-wrapped teabags). Allow it to cool for babies and children, but if you’re a grown-up you’ll probably drink it hot!

Buy online! - to order Fennel Drink, check out the HiPP web shop

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• Our fruit juices are made with the juice of the very highest quality organic fruit, plus added vitamin C but no added sugar There are three different and naturally delicious fruit combinations to choose from We make a really refreshing range of organic fruit juices that are ready-mixed with pure, natural mineral water (suitable for babies) from our own protected source

  Milk remains the main drink for babies and toddlers, but you may like to offer diluted fruit juice as well. A great advantage of fruit juices rich in vitamin C is that they help the body to absorb vitally necessary iron.

Five a day
A drink of fruit juice at a mealtime will count as one of the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

• Look for organic choices of fruit juice for babies and children (and pregnant mums too) - you’ll avoid any unwanted ‘nasties’ such as pesticide residues or artificial additives
• Beware of fruit squashes aimed at older children - they could contain additives such as colouring or artificial sweeteners - and avoid fizzy drinks
• Artificial sweeteners should not be used for children under 3 years
• Tea and coffee are not suitable drinks for babies or young children - and they can reduce iron absorption

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• Babies who are solely breast- or bottle-fed should be getting enough fluids. It’s only when solid foods are established that extra drinks usually need to be offered. Your baby’s nappy should be wet at every nappy change.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Dark yellow urine
• A sunken fontanelle (soft spot)
• Dry or sticky lips and mouth
• Skin that has lost its elasticity
  

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