Q:
How long should my daughter be on formula? Also, can kids be given caffeine-free diet soda as an occasional treat?
A:
Maddi, your daughter should be on formula up to her first birthday then on whole milk until her second birthday.
As for soda, I don't recommend it for children. Aspartame, the non-nutritive sweetener found in diet sodas is not appropriate for young children. Additionally, carbonation can affect the enamel on developing teeth. When my children were young, we would give them a juice box as a treat rather than juice in a cup. This was special to them but still provided the nutrition that they needed.
Susan M. Leisner RD, IBCLC, RLC Nutritionist & Lactation Consultant
Our parenting advice is given as suggestions only. We recommend you also consult your healthcare provider, and urge you to contact them immediately if your question is urgent or about a medical condition.