School is almost out and warmer weather is on its way.  Hydration is always important, but never more so than when you’re active in warm temperatures.  What are the best things to give your kids to drink, and are there drinks they should avoid?

First, drinks to avoid completely:

• Energy drinks.  Make sure you know the difference between sports drinks and energy drinks.  Energy drinks contain stimulants like caffeine and are not appropriate for children and teens.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics:  “Caffeine… has been linked to a number of harmful health effects in children, including effects on the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems.”  Caffeine is a drug, and is addictive.
• Caffeinated soft drinks.  (See bullet point above about the ill effects of caffeine on children and teens.)

Drinks that are okay for occasional use:

• Sports drinks.  These replace electrolytes and calories lost from prolonged exercise.
• Non-caffeinated soft drinks.  They are okay on special occasions, but only for older children.  Sodas are acidic and therefore are harmful for teeth.  Add sugar to that equation and you could be creating some real dental health problems.
• Sugary drinks, carbonated or not.  These have been linked to childhood obesity in children as young as 4.  As with soft drinks, all sugary drinks can cause tooth decay.
• Fruit juices.  Better options than carbonated drinks, and often a good source of vitamins, they are still calorie rich and shouldn’t be overused.

Drinks that are best:

• Water.  Always the best way to hydrate, water can be a great part of the healthy child’s diet throughout the day, even when they’re not thirsty.  Your kid doesn’t like water?  Check out the flavor packets and squirts that add flavors to water.
• Low fat milk.  If your child or teen can tolerate milk, it is an indispensable source of calcium.  If she is unable to drink milk, talk to the pediatrician about alternate sources of calcium.

Finally, a note about very young children.

• Nothing but breast milk or formula should go in a baby’s bottle.  Even fruit juice is too sugary and can lead to tooth decay.  Read here about beverages for the very young.
• Children can start learning to use a cup at about 6 months.  Still, limit juice to 4-6 ounces per day until the age of 2.
• Wean completely from bottles at about 12-15 months of age.

What we drink becomes habit, and starting good drinking habits in childhood is an excellent way to build healthy bodies and teeth for a lifetime.

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