Water: a cornerstone of family wellbeing

Water plays a fundamental role in a child’s growth, development and health from the very first days of life. Drinking good-quality water – whether spring water, mineral water or tap water – is essential for the day-to-day wellbeing of the whole family.

Water requirements for babies and children

From birth, babies get their water from milk (breast milk or formula). Once they start eating solid foods, water intake becomes essential to meet their hydration needs. In summer or during periods of high temperatures, these needs increase further. From 6 months onwards, the WHO recommends offering water to babies regularly, even between meals.

A glass of water quickly becomes a central part of a young child’s day. It is important to get them used to drinking water, whilst avoiding sugary drinks. This essential liquid helps to meet young children’s daily fluid needs. It helps to establish healthy habits from a very early age. Using a baby-safe water bottle can also help to encourage this habit safely.

Risks associated with poor water quality

Although tap water is monitored in France, in some areas it may contain traces of undesirable substances. It is therefore important for parents to find out about the water quality in their area to ensure that it is safe. In some cases, bottled water may be preferable, particularly for use in baby bottles, to protect the health of infants (checking that it is labelled as ‘suitable for infant feeding’).

Poorly monitored water can pose a health risk, particularly with regard to nitrates, lead or certain bacteria.

Habits to encourage in children

From a very young age, it is a good idea to establish a routine of regular hydration throughout the day. Offering your baby a little water after each meal or after some playtime may be enough. Offering water in a cute, age-appropriate water bottle can also help encourage this habit.

Making water readily available,for example, in a colourful water bottle or a small jug , makes drinking it feel more natural. These simple steps help to foster independence in young children and support their nutritional education.

Routines and the role of the adult

Adults play a key role: drinking water in front of children, from a very young age, encourages them to adopt this habit. This simple gesture contributes to their development, both physically and in their day-to-day lives. Even a small habit repeated every day can have a lasting impact.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, establishing a hydration routine is a simple yet essential act of self-care. Staying hydrated throughout the day helps you stay fit, maintain your energy levels, support concentration, aid digestion and boost your energy levels. It is also an excellent way for children to discover the importance of water in their daily lives and to grow up with good habits.

Roche Claire offers naturally alkaline spring water that can be easily incorporated into a wellbeing routine. It is the ideal ally for fostering serenity and vitality in everyday life.

This routine thus becomes a cornerstone of personal wellbeing, but also a solid foundation for supporting those around you, particularly children, with greater vitality, patience and clarity of mind. Amidst the many daily activities, it also meets the need to drink regularly to stay in shape. Water, a discreet yet essential element, becomes a valuable ally in maintaining family harmony.

Water: at the heart of family life

Water sustains the body, quenches thirst and helps develop skills from a child’s earliest months. Drinking regularly, without waiting until you are too thirsty, meets a vital need that accompanies every stage: from early childhood through to the final year of nursery school, and then as the years go by. A simple act of family care, essential at every age.

Water is more than just a drink: it is a shared resource, a gesture of care, and a bond between parents and children. It provides support, discreetly but surely, every day.