WFFT Drink More Water
How much water does a child need each day?
In 2018, Healthy Eating Research (HER) developed a consensus statement on what young children (ages 0 to 5 years) should be drinking as part of a healthy diet by an expert panel of representatives from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Heart Association (AHA) with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).
The recommendations for plain drinking water consumption are as follows:
| 0-6 months | No supplemental drinking water needed. |
| 6-12 months | Approximately 0.5-1.0 cups (4-8 oz.) per day in a cup. Begin offering during meals once solid foods are introduced. |
| 12-24 months | 1-4 cups (8-32 oz.) per day. |
| 2-3 years | 1-4 cups (8-32 oz.) per day. |
| 4-5 years | 1-4 cups (8-32 oz.) per day. |
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Source: https://healthyeatingresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HER-HealthyBeverageTechnicalReport.pdf![]()
When can an infant start drinking water?
According to the Healthy Eating Research (HER) program "for infants 0 to 6 months of age, only human milk or infant formula are recommended to meet fluid and nutrient needs." The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) noted that healthy infants do not need additional water except when environmental temperatures are extremely high. When an infant starts solid foods it is suggested to begin offering a small amount, approximately 4 to 8 ounces per day, of plain drinking water in an open, sippy or strawed cup. This is intended to "introduce infants to the flavor and mouthfeel of water, as well as to foster cup-drinking skills, which take time to develop, rather than to serve as a source of hydration for the infant.”
Source: https://healthyeatingresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/HER-HealthyBeverageTechnicalReport.pdf
Where can I find water on the go without spending a lot?
You can find water almost anywhere you go. Always carry a refillable water bottle to fill up at:
- Water filling stations
- Drinking fountains
- Faucets
- Small water tab on the soda machines
- Just ask for tap water - available at restaurants, amusement parks, zoo, pools, etc.
Learn more about beverages, water safety and how to encourage your community to drink more water: