The public health community and health advocates have long been urging people to avoid drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, energy drinks and juice, and to just drink water. New recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations are the most comprehensive yet, for children under the age of 5. The recommendations encourage parents to only allow kids under 5 to drink water or milk. It is important to consider that the sugar-sweetened beverage industry disproportionately markets to low-income communities and communities of color furthering the health inequities associated with childhood obesity.  What a child drinks in their early years can affect their health throughout the course of their life and following the guidelines will help to ensure children have every opportunity for optimal health.