At what age do you give a baby really diluted juice??

Trisha - posted on 08/12/2010

i have 3 kids...and all doctors have there very own way of doing things, I always tell anyone that askes me anything your the mother you no whats best..as long is your baby is having heathy appitet, i see no reson for him to have juices or water...as long as its not rplacing his formula becuase he does still need all those vitemens...i would recomend using a sippy cup for the juces...

Trisha - posted on 08/12/2010

i gave my babies water and juices from about 5 or so months. I also gave them freezes as well. Although none of my kids liked the water or juice, I just kept offering it to them and evenually they took to it..it takes time because its something new !

Danielle - posted on 08/11/2010

my baby is 6 months old, and i give her pedialite. its a form of juice, to keep babies hydrated. iv been giving it to her since she was about 5 months old. i dont give her water, her dr says not to. and when she eats baby food she usually dinks a few oz of formula after.

Sarh - posted on 08/11/2010

Tabitha hit it right on the nose and I'm glad she has medical experience behind it.

Jennifer - posted on 08/11/2010

i was also told that solid food should not replace breastmilk or formula. solid foods are supposed to supplement their diet, not replace.

by 12 months, 75% of a baby's calories should still be coming from breastmilk.

our ped told us, as well as all the research i've done on my own, that when we started solids at 6 months, to offer a full feeding of breastmilk, then to offer solids. in the beginning they won't be taking much solids but thats the point. as their appetite increases, you offer more solids, but not less breastmilk.

we were also told that to a baby, thirsty and hungry are the same thing. if baby seems thirsty to offer breastmilk/formula as they are 80-85% water.

Tabitha - posted on 08/11/2010

Katie that depends on how old your child is. Under a 1 year the only thing they need nutritionally speaking is formula. Like i said above make sure their main source comes from that. You can supplement bottle/breast feeding with baby food or cereal between 4 and 6 months and up to a year. And no giving them food is not just to wean them off the bottle, that process is entirely different. As they get older you will of course increase the food they eat and decrease the milk they drink. But normally milk will always be the primary nourishment until they are 1 and ready for table foods. But like you said you want to do whats right for your baby. So if he/she is growing well and is physically and mentally on the right track right now with what you are doing then continue doing it! You are the mother and only you know what is really right for your own baby, so by all meens continue!

Katie - posted on 08/11/2010

Yeah and like you said I just want what is medically rite if I wanted his opinions on things I'd ask him

Tabitha - posted on 08/11/2010

I find it interesting that pediatricians give advice that is so drastically different from others. considering the fact that all pediatricians (at least in the u.s.) are taught the same medical practices. However i do believe alot of them use their own personal opinions and not all of those are medically sound advice to give to everyone, because every baby/toddler is different and responds differently to different things! when giving advice i just go by what i learned in pediatric nursing, and not on personal beliefs, unless the ask.

Katie - posted on 08/11/2010

I just really want to do what is right for my baby, so do I feed him baby food then a bottle or vice versa??

Tabitha - posted on 08/11/2010

sry that would be ditto to sarh....lol

Tabitha - posted on 08/11/2010

Ditto on that katie. Under a 1 old formula is their primary source of nutrients. The baby food is only "practice" foods to get them ready for table foods! The baby food is the supplement not the formula! Do not get rid of formula feedings to give your little one baby foods instead,babys under a 1 year get all their nutrients from this!

Katie - posted on 08/11/2010

I just don't understand why all pediatricians say something different, it confuses me lol

Katie - posted on 08/11/2010

Thats what my pediatrician says and it makes sense to me thats the whole point of feeding them baby food to get them weined off milk. He said to do it to where he has 3 meals a day and about 3 bottles a day with water inbetween

Sarh - posted on 08/11/2010

I've heard opposite that it is not supposed to substitute a bottle feeding! I've never heard anything like that....

Katie - posted on 08/11/2010

My doctor said when I give him food not to give him formula, when a baby eats solids it supposed to take the place of a bottle feeding. So when I feed him food im supposed to wait 2 or 3 hours before I give him a bottle and inbetween that time, give him water cuz babies get thirsty just like us. He said not to do a bottle with a feeding cuz then he will learn that he will always get milk after his feeding so therefore he will eat less.

Sarh - posted on 08/11/2010

I completely agree w/Tabitha! Water is empty calories for baby. It fills their tummy and they get nothing from it. Does your son eat and then drink formula or breast milk? If not try giving him a little less food to make sure he does in fact drink after wards. I wouldn't give him juice even if it is very diluted, because there is still lots of sugar in it that baby does not need, plus I am strongly against putting anything other then formula or breast milk a bottle... terrible for their teeth!
By the way, I so wish I lived in AZ, the weather there is BEAUTIFUL compared to this nasty heavy and humid weather we get in WI.

Tabitha - posted on 08/11/2010

I am a bit confused as to why your doctor would be pushing the water. Your baby does not need any other liquids until over 6 months, and even then you should use them sparingly. If he drinks to much water in can interfere with the absorbtion of the nutrients in the formula or breast milk and make his little tummy to full to drink the formula or breastmilk. If he is telling you that your baby will became dehydrated if he doesn't drink water he is completely wrong.It sounds like it may just be his personal opinion. but medically speaking your baby will stay hydrated perfectly fine with formula or breastmilk even in 115 degree weather!

Katie - posted on 08/11/2010

Thank you that does help, I really don't want to give him any juices but I want him to be able to drink more water lol cuz he won't even drink pedialite lol and I wouldn't blame him I tried some and it was kinda nasty lol but I guess he will just have to learn that milk and water is all he is getting for awhile lol

Varda - posted on 08/11/2010

try putting ice inside the bottle of water so it's interesting for your baby - it's shaking and moving...
The best is water - try to get him used to drink water.
Hope this helps (-: