Early childhood experts agree that hydration is essential for young children. The British National Health Service recommends the following daily intake of fluids.

    One to three years old        One liter
    Four to eight years old        1.2 liters
    Nine years plus        1.5 liters

Of course, that doesn’t just mean that any fluid will do. The healthiest option is water. Milk is a good source of vitamin D and calcium, which are essential for those growing bones.

You can start helping your child become accustomed to the taste as early as age one by mixing in a small amount of cow’s milk to her formula or breast milk and gradually increasing the blend.

At mealtimes, offer a choice between milk or water with no room for alternatives.

You do not have to avoid juice and soda altogether but it’s important to get your child into the habit of drinking milk or water as his primary beverage. Make water the only self-serve drink available to your child and allow him to drink water whenever he feels thirsty.

When you do offer juice, set limits -- even 100 percent juice is no substitute for fruit! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a maximum of 18 centiliters of 100 percent juice daily for children between the ages of one and six.

Instead of watering down juice and allowing it multiple times, give one full serving and move on to something else. Otherwise, your child will become accustomed to constantly tasting something sweet.  

The sugar, calories and caffeine in soft drinks have absolutely zero health benefits. Some families worry that a complete ban on sweetened drinks make them more appealing and tempting.

In that case, set firm limits if you decide to allow them. A good rule might be that soda is allowed at birthday parties or on vacations. If the bubbles are what your child craves, offer sparkling water!