About this guide
A free, plain-language resource on what kids should drink. Here's who's behind it and the rules we hold ourselves to.
Who's behind it
Healthy Hydration for Kids is written and paid for by ShineWater, a zero-sugar drink company based in Bay City, Michigan. ShineWater was founded by a physician.
We're a drink company writing about kids' drinks, so you should read this with that in mind. We'd rather tell you up front than have you find out later. Here's how we keep the advice honest anyway.
Our editorial rules
- Guidance comes from the experts, not from us. Every recommendation traces back to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the National Academies, the American Heart Association, or the CDC. Sources are cited on the page and listed on our sources page.
- We report what the guidance says, including when it doesn't help us. For example, pediatric experts don't recommend drinks with low-calorie sweeteners for kids under 5. That includes stevia, which our sponsor uses. We say so on every page where it matters.
- No product placement in the advice. Our sponsor's products are described on exactly one page, From our sponsor, which is clearly labeled. Where a topic touches something our sponsor makes, such as zero-sugar drinks, we say so in a sentence and point you there.
- No ads, no affiliate links. Nobody pays to be mentioned here.
- We keep it current. When major guidance changes, like the 2025 to 2030 Dietary Guidelines released in January 2026, we update the affected pages and the date on them.
Medical review
Every health article is being reviewed by a pediatric registered dietitian. Until a page has been reviewed, it carries a note saying so. Once it has, the reviewer's name and credentials will appear on the page.
This isn't medical advice
This site is general education for healthy kids. Children with kidney, heart or other medical conditions, and babies, can have different needs. Ask your pediatrician about your own child.
Found a mistake?
Tell us below. We fix errors quickly and note significant corrections on the page.