Baby sterilised water
Drinks and cups for babies and young children
Solid foods and milk for your baby
You should continue to breastfeed or give your baby first infant formula until they're at least 1 year old.
Breastfeeding will continue to benefit you and your baby for as long as you carry on.
As your baby eats more solid foods, the amount of milk they want will decrease.
Once your baby is eating plenty of solids several times a day, they may even drop a milk feed altogether.
Beakers and cups for babies
Introduce your baby to drinking from a cup or beaker from around 6 months and offer sips of water with meals.
Using an open cup or a free-flow cup without a valve will help your baby learn to sip and is better for your baby’s teeth.
It might be messy at first but be patient, your baby will gradually learn how to drink from an open cup.
Once your baby is 1 year old, feeding from a bottle should be discouraged.
When using a bottle or trainer cup, do not put anything in it other than breast milk, formula milk or water, and do not add anything else (including sugar, cereals, baby rice or chocolate powder) to the feed.
Comfort sucking from a bottle on sweetened drinks causes tooth decay in young children. Drinks flow very slowly through a teat, which means the sugary substance will be in contact with their teeth for longer.
Find out how to look after your baby's teeth.
Choosing a baby beaker or cup
It's important to choose the right kind of beaker or cup.
A cup or beaker with a free-flow lid (without a non-spill valve) is better than a bottle or beaker with a teat as it will help your baby learn how to sip rather than suck.
As soon as your child is ready, encourage them to move from a lidded beaker to drinking from an open cup.
Drinks for babies and young children
Not all drinks are suitable for babies and young children. Here's what to give to your child and when.
Breast milk
Breast milk is the only food or drink babies need in the first 6 months of their life.
It should continue to be given alongside an increasingly varied diet once you introduce solid foods from around 6 months.
The World Health Organization recommends that all babies are breastfed for up to 2 years or longer.
Breastfeeding up to 12 months is associated with a lower risk of tooth decay.
Formula milk
First infant formula is usually based on cows' milk and is the only suitable alternative to breast milk in the first 12 months of your baby's life.
Follow-on formula is not suitable for babies under 6 months, and you do not need to introduce it after 6 months.
First infant formula, follow-on formula or growing-up milks are not needed once your baby is 12 months old.
Cows' milk can be introduced as a main drink from 12 months.
Read more about the types of infant formula.
Non-cows' milk formula
Goats' milk formula is available and produced to the same nutritional standards as cows' milk formula.
Goats' milk formula is not suitable for babies with cows' milk protein allergy. It's no less likely to cause allergies in babies than cows' milk formula as the proteins they contain are very similar.
You should only give your baby soya formula if a health professional advises you to.
'Goodnight' milk
'Goodnight' milk is not suitable for babies under 6 months old.
This type of formula is not needed, and there's no evidence that babies settle better or sleep longer after having it.
Water
Giving water as a drink to babies under 6 months is not recommended. Speak to your GP or health visitor for advice before giving water to your baby.
From around 6 months you can start introducing water with meals.
When preparing formula for babies under 6 months, you should not use water straight from the mains tap in the kitchen as it's not sterile.
You'll need to boil the tap water first and then let it cool for no more than 30 minutes, so that it remains at a temperature of at least 70C.
Water for babies over 6 months does not need to be boiled.
Bottled water is not recommended for making up infant formula feeds as it may contain too much salt (sodium) or sulphate.
If you do have to use bottled water to make up a feed, check the label to make sure the sodium (also written as Na) level is less than 200 milligrams (mg) per litre.
The sulphate (also written as SO or SO4) content should not be higher than 250mg per litre.
Like tap water, bottled water is not sterile, so it will need to be boiled before you use it to prepare a feed.
Read more about how to make up baby formula.
Cows' milk
Cows' milk can be used in cooking or mixed with food from around 6 months but should not be given as a drink to babies until they're 12 months old. This is because cows' milk does not contain enough iron to meet your baby's needs.
Whole milk should be given to children until they're 2 years old because they need the extra energy and vitamins it contains.
Semi-skimmed milk can be introduced once your child is 2 years old, as long as they're a good eater and they have a varied diet.
Skimmed and 1% milk are not suitable for children under 5 years old because they do not contain enough calories.
Lower-fat milks can be used in cooking from 1 year old.
Unpasteurised milk
Young children should not be given unpasteurised milk because of the higher risk of food poisoning.
Goats' and sheep's milk
Goats' and sheep's milk are not suitable as drinks for babies under 1 year old as, like cows' milk, they do not contain enough iron and other nutrients babies this age need. As long as they're pasteurised, they can be used once your baby is 1 year old.
Soya drinks and other milk alternatives
You can give your child unsweetened calcium-fortified milk alternatives, such as soya, oat or almond drinks, from the age of 1 as part of a healthy balanced diet.
Babies and young children under 5 years old should not be given rice drinks, because of the levels of arsenic in these products.
If your child has an allergy or intolerance to milk, talk to your health visitor or GP. They can advise you about suitable milk alternatives.
Rice drinks
Children under 5 years old should not have rice drinks as a substitute for breast milk, infant formula or cows' milk as they may contain too much arsenic.
Arsenic is found naturally in the environment and can find its way into our food and water.
Rice tends to take up more arsenic than other grains, but this does not mean that your baby cannot eat rice.
In the UK, there are maximum levels of inorganic arsenic allowed in rice and rice products, and even stricter levels are set for foods intended for young children.
Do not worry if your child has already had rice drinks. There's no immediate risk to them, but it's best to switch to a different kind of milk.
Fruit juice and smoothies
Fruit juices, such as orange juice, are a good source of vitamin C. However, they also contain natural sugars and acids, which can cause tooth decay.
Babies under 12 months do not need fruit juice or smoothies. If you choose to give these to your baby, dilute the juices and smoothies (one part juice to 10 parts water) and limit them to mealtimes.
Giving fruit juice and smoothies at mealtimes (rather than between meals) helps reduce the risk of tooth decay.
From 5 years old, you can give your child undiluted fruit juice or smoothies. Stick to no more than 1 glass (about 150 ml) a day, served with meals.
Squashes, flavoured milk, 'fruit' or 'juice' drinks and fizzy drinks
Squashes, flavoured milk, 'fruit' or 'juice' drinks and fizzy drinks are not suitable for young babies.
They contain sugar and can cause tooth decay, even when diluted.
For older babies and young children, these drinks can fill your child up so they're not hungry for healthier food. Instead, offer sips of water from a cup with meals.
Fizzy drinks are acidic and can damage tooth enamel so they should not be given to babies and young children.
Diet or reduced-sugar drinks are not recommended for babies and young children.
Even low-calorie drinks and no-added-sugar drinks can encourage children to develop a sweet tooth.
'Baby' and herbal drinks
'Baby' and herbal drinks usually contain sugars and are not recommended.
Hot drinks
Tea and coffee are not suitable for babies or young children. If sugar is added, this can lead to tooth decay.
Further information
- Your baby's first solid foods
- Baby and toddler meal ideas
- Looking after your baby's teeth
- Expressing and storing breast milk
- Bottle feeding advice
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Video: should my baby use a beaker or a cup?
In this video, a health visitor talks about whether your baby should use a beaker or a cup.
Media last reviewed: 28 September 2020
Media review due: 28 September 2023
When can my baby have water to drink? | Baby & toddler, Feeding articles & support
We discuss when it’s okay for your baby to drink water. We also look at how to keep your baby hydrated in hot weather.
When can my baby have water?
Young babies under six months won’t usually need to have any water or extra drinks, other than their usual milk (NHS Choices, 2017).
I breastfeed my baby so do they need extra water in hot weather?
Babies who are breastfed won't need water until they’re around six months old (NHS Choices, 2017).
"When you breastfeed your baby and they’ve started eating solid foods, you can offer them water out of a cup as well as breastfeeding frequently.
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Even in hot weather, you won’t usually need to offer your baby water if you feed them breastmilk. They will just breastfeed more frequently if they need to. Babies who are breastfed can feed more frequently because the energy content of breastmilk changes according to their feeds.
I feed my baby formula milk so do they need extra water in hot weather?
If you feed your baby formula milk, you might need to offer them water in hot weather as well as the milk. Make sure you boil and cool the water before you give it to them (NHS Choices, 2017).
How do I know my baby’s getting enough to drink?
In hot weather, it’s important to offer your baby frequent milk feeds, whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding or both. In very hot weather, it’s important babies drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
In general, your baby is getting enough to drink if they have at least six heavy, wet nappies every 24 hours. This should be the case from when your baby is five days old, as long as they’re happy and alert, and they’re feeding frequently.
You can find out more in our how can I tell my baby is feeding well article.
When can my baby drink tap water?
Babies under six months should only drink tap water that has been boiled and cooled down. Water straight from the tap is not sterile so is not suitable for younger babies.
Once your baby is six months old, you can offer them water straight from the tap in a beaker or cup. They’d have this as well as their usual milk (NHS Choices, 2017; Oral Health Foundation, 2017).
Can my baby or toddler drink bottled water?
Bottled water is not recommended for babies or toddlers as it may contain too much salt or sulphate.
Water and milk are good options
Older babies and toddlers who have drinks like squash or juice during the day may fill up on calories from these drinks. This reduces their appetite for milk or solids, and can make it difficult for them to get enough nutrients. It might also lead to deficiencies over time, especially a lack of iron, which can cause anaemia (NHS Choices, 2017; Oral Health Foundation, 2017).
It’s a good idea to simply offer your baby water to drink, as well as their regular milk feeds.
Taking care of your baby’s teeth
Squash and fruit juice are high in sugar and can contribute to tooth decay. Fruit juice is often seen as a healthy alternative to squash, but it still contains sugars and acids that can harm tooth enamel (Oral Health Foundation, 2017). Children under three years of age should not have anything with artificial sweeteners in it (Oral Health Foundation, 2017).
If you want to offer squash or juice to your child, only give it to them sparingly, well diluted, and as part of meal times. Whole fruit juice is a better option than squash. Find out more in our taking care of your baby’s teeth article.
This page was last reviewed in October 2017Further information
Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.
You might find attending one of our Early Days groups helpful as they give you the opportunity to explore different approaches to important parenting issues with a qualified group leader and other new parents in your area.
Make friends with other parents-to-be and new parents in your local area for support and friendship by seeing what NCT activities are happening nearby.
NHS Choices has information on how you can look after your baby’s teeth.
HOW TO STERILIZE PHILIPS AVENT BOTTLES
Teats and bottles harbor millions of microbes. They are not afraid of boiling water, soda and detergents. The only thing that kills them is hot steam, which literally dissolves bacilli with a probability of up to 99.9%. Porridge and milk keep longer. A formula-fed baby is less likely to get sick.
So, mums, end your feeding with poorly washed bottles and learn how to disinfect them the way our grandmothers did. Only in a new way.
How to sterilize baby bottles
Washing with a brush or sponge is a must after every feeding.
And it is better to sterilize in the evening or in the morning, in order to get rid of all pathogenic bacteria and not worry about the cleanliness of children's accessories.
When doing this, you must follow the safety rules: otherwise you can inadvertently scald or deform plastic dishes.
Below are three general guidelines for sterilizing baby bottles.
- The utensil must not be immersed in boiling water, otherwise it will soften and melt.
- Glasses and bottles are placed with their neck down: so that the steam cleans the inside, and the condensate flows down the walls into a bowl.
- Bottles must not touch the sides of the pan as they may melt and stick to them.
After sterilization, it is better not to remove the dishes from the container for about ten minutes. It should cool down to a comfortable temperature. And if you really need it, you should use tongs, oven mitts or a kitchen towel folded in several layers.
By the way: Baby utensils: how to choose - 4 key parameters to help
How to sterilize pacifiers for children?
Teats are sterilized in the same way as bottles, but with the base down - to steam not only the outer, but also the inner walls. And let the moisture drain.
Types of sterilization
Two types of sterilization are used for the treatment of children's utensils - steam and dry heat.
- In the first case, the vessel is steamed.
- In the second - washed and still wet bottles are heated in the oven, sterilizer, microwave, multicooker and even in the dishwasher, which supports steam treatment at 80+ ° C.
Life hack: how to steam bottles and other things with sterilization bags (such as Nuvita NV1087)
- Put dishes in food bags.
- Pour 60-70 ml of water into them.
- Microwave for 2-3 minutes.
The sterilization process is as simple as a copper penny.
Evaporating moisture destroys pathogenic (and not only) microbes from various surfaces. Materials exposed to hot air and steam do not creak from cleanliness, but are sterile and safe for health.
In this way, not only nipples and bottles are disinfected, but also brushes, bowls, thermoses and cups like Avent SCF796/01 and so on.
Interesting article: When did the first baby stroller appear: 10 facts from history
Microwaveable
The microwave oven offers 3 sterilization options. Not all of them are suitable for processing nipples.
- Place the bottles in a glass or ceramic dish → fill it with water → cover with a lid → put the microwave on maximum power for 5-7 minutes.
- Pour water into the bottle 1-1.5 cm from the bottom → microwave for 3-5 minutes. The nipples will have to be washed separately.
- In the Nuvita type microwave sterilizer (NV1085), it is enough to put the container → pour water → click on the valve → set the device to work for 5-8 minutes.
Picking up a hot dish is easier with tongs or oven mitts.
Sterilization in the microwave gives its advantages and disadvantages, described in the table: the inner bowl of the multicooker. So that the saucepan does not smell like food, otherwise bottles or children's dishes will take over this smell.
The subsequent sterilization process in the multicooker is similar to microwave.
- Pour ≈ 1-1.5 liters of water into the bowl.
- Place the steam rack and place the bottles upside down.
- Seal the steam device hermetically.
- Set "Steam" mode to 15 minutes or "Sterilize" mode.
- Remove the dishes and cover with a towel to cool completely.
This method also has its pros and cons.
Sterilizer
Children's sterilizer is an electrical device for processing utensils. Works carefully, the bottle will not crack due to overheating.
Everything is calculated with medical precision in the method of steaming with a sterilizer.
The device holds up to 6-8 bottles and the same number of nipples. A great example of such a device is the Philips Avent 3-in-1 steam sterilizer. It is ideal for a family with several kids.
How the device works is as simple as it gets. It consists of step by step actions.
- Pour cold water into the tank (how much is indicated in the instructions).
- Place pre-cleaned bottles in special niches. This should be done upside down.
- Close cover.
- Switch on the sterilizer for 7-15 minutes.
- Let the device “cool down” for 5-7 minutes. This is necessary so that you do not accidentally burn yourself with steam.
If the use of the bottles "does not burn", then they can be left under a closed lid - so they will be sterile for another 4-5 hours. If you need to get one of the bottles, take only it, and close the rest of the clean bottles with lids.
Before putting the dishes into the sterilizer, make sure they are clean.
The device removes germs and odor, but does not cope with pollution.
Read: Top 5 Best Convertible Strollers
Avoid Sterilization Mistakes: 4 Common
Many parents make basic mistakes that are best addressed in advance.
1. Unwashed or poorly washed utensils
Leftover food provokes the reproduction of microflora and can cause stomach problems in a child. And sterilization does not wash out food residues - only cleaning can do this.
2. Pot boiling
You can't boil! The maximum allowable temperature for children's utensils is 110 ° C. And often it is even less. Otherwise, the bottles may melt.
3. Installation in a steamer and microwave without water is contraindicated
The device will burn, and the dishes will melt.
4. Sterilization of dishes with visible chips and cracks
Microbes accumulate and multiply in them, which can cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and not only.
Note: TOP-10 strollers with inflatable wheels
Pros and cons of sterilization
Each parent has his own opinion about sterilization, but there are definitely no indifferent to this issue.
Arguments "For" and "Against" are summarized in the final table:
So when choosing "to sterilize or not", everyone decides for himself. However, if the child is often fed in public places where it is impossible to verify the cleanliness of the surfaces, it is advisable to at least wash the dishes thoroughly in very hot water.
Read: Top 5 tricycle baby strollers
How to sterilize baby feeding bottles?
There are several ways to sterilize baby feeding bottles. The most popular are electric or microwave steam sterilizers. However, you may prefer to use traditional methods such as boiling baby bottles or cold water sterilization.
Why and how to sterilize baby bottles
If the bottles are not sterilized, viruses, bacteria and parasites gather there and can infect the baby. It's nearly impossible to create a completely germ-free environment, but by sterilizing your equipment, you'll be doing everything you can to help keep your baby healthy.
Before sterilization, thoroughly wash used bottles in clean soapy water to remove all traces of milk. If possible, wash them in the dishwasher. You may have heard that the dishwasher sterilizes baby bottles, but that's not true. After washing in it, they still have to be sterilized.
It is best to wash baby bottles as soon as possible after feeding, before the milk has had time to dry. Be especially careful when washing the nipples, as milk clots may remain on them. Use a small brush to clean the inside of the nipples, or wash them inside out. Check teats and bottles regularly and thoroughly, discarding any that are split, cracked, or damaged.
When you have washed everything, thoroughly rinse off all detergent: the bottles are now ready for sterilization.
How to Sterilize Baby Bottles in a Microwave or Electric Sterilizer
Electric and microwave steam sterilizers are fast and efficient, usually taking minutes plus cooling time. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions as they are all slightly different. Sterilizers can usually hold multiple bottles at once and may have a rack for small items such as nipples and pacifiers.
Make sure bottles, nipples and other equipment are facing down. Then you can be sure that they are completely sterilized. Make sure you only install equipment that is safe for steam. For example, some parts of breast pumps or metal objects may not be suitable.
Sterilizers can usually sterilize bottles within a few hours if you leave them there with the lid closed. The manufacturer's instructions for your sterilizer will tell you exactly how long you can leave it on.
How to sterilize baby bottles with cold water
This method uses a sterilizing solution diluted in cold water. The solution is very effective in killing bacteria. You will need to change the solution every 24 hours. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the bottles or nipples and keep everything under water for at least 30 minutes to completely sterilize.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for how much water and sterilizing solution to use. If your solution is too strong or too dilute, it can affect how well sterilization works.
Only take out bottles and teats when you need to use them. Taking out each item, shake it and rinse off the liquid with chilled boiled water.
How to sterilize plastic baby bottles in boiling water
If the bottles are suitable for boiling, you can sterilize them using this method. You will need a large saucepan with a lid, preferably a new one. Try not to use the pan for anything other than sterilizing your baby's feeding equipment.
Fill pot with water and completely submerge all feeding equipment. Make sure there are no air bubbles inside the bottles and nipples, then cover the pot with a lid and simmer for at least 10 minutes.
Keep pot lid closed until you need to use the equipment. If you use this method regularly, be sure to check your nipples regularly for damage. Boiling can damage teats faster than other sterilization methods.
How to store sterilized baby bottles
It is not necessary to remove sterilized baby bottles from the sterilizer or pot until you need to prepare food. Storing bottles in a sterilizer or pan with a closed lid will keep them germ-free.
When you need to feed your baby, clean and disinfect the work surface you are going to use. Then wash and dry your hands. Take a sterilized bottle and place it on a clean surface. Use sterilized tongs to remove the pacifier, bottle cap, and other items.
Do not leave sterilized empty bottles exposed to air for a long time, as they will quickly lose their sterility.
