Juice- Is it just me?

Dolce - posted on 12/13/2011

I do give my daughter juice but I water juice down as it has too much sugar even if its completely natural & has no additives. I totally understand your decision ;)

Paula - posted on 12/10/2011

No and I say well done to anyone that doesnt!. My child will soon be 3 and i've never have given him juice with the exception of diluted pure orange on a few occassions to ease constipation. Mums seem so quick to start feeding juice and later wonder why their child wont drink water. I have been adamant from the off.. not only becuase I wanted him to enjoy water but through protection of his teeth for which juice is deadly! I too have been looked at like I was crazy because he doesnt have it and particually during one kiddies party where a mum went to hand a cup of juice to my boy and I stopped her saying "no thank you, he doesnt have juice". It does make me cross when people just do that without asking.

Elena - posted on 12/05/2011

I hold my head up high when I say I don't give my kid juice. It turns into straight sugar in the blood stream. I give baby kefir which is a probiotic yogurt drink found at whole foods. I dilute that with water and even give him about 3/4 of a tablespoon of protein powder because he's not a big meat eater.

Carlie - posted on 12/05/2011

I don't get the big hype about juice. I think juice is all right for any child-as long as it's not the ONLY thing given during the day. I think maybe once a day AT LEAST is sufficient. Or not. And especially if your child receives his "juice" through fruits and vegetables. No harm in not giving it either. The main point should be if he is receiving the proper dosage of vitamins necessary for his age if you aren't giving him the "juice vitamins." As long as you are replacing it with other necessary fruits and vegetables, or maybe an actual vitamin, then....I don't see any problem with what you are doing. Keep on keepin' on. 'Sides, it's hard to find sugar-free juice...unless you are a diabetic...and I'm afraid.....if you aren't diabetic....well then.....you will probably have alot of number 3's.......!! :)

Barbara - posted on 11/30/2011

There's nothing that is off limits to my kids, but we don't regularly buy stuff that is bad to consume regularly. Sure, they can have juice when we're somewhere that there is juice to drink, but at home the options are water, herbal tea, and milk, unless it's breakfast when we each get a small glass of OJ. We only buy one jug a week and when it's gone it's gone, so we get no objection to rationing it like that. Cold mint tea with a squirt of lemon is the popular drink here. We also keep an urn of the reverse osmosis purified water from the co op, and the kids relish drinking that. It does taste vastly superior to the tap water, so it seems quite a treat to drink. This way there's no fighting about what they can and can't have. They can have whatever is there because it's all good.

Maggi - posted on 11/29/2011

My son does not get juice that often and if he does, it is because he is out at dinner with us. We got lucky and he knows that "juice" means water to us. When he says "juice" it means that he is thirsty and wants something to drink. We leave out sippy cups filled with water out so he can get to them whenever he is thirsty.

Susan - posted on 11/29/2011

Yes you cant get enzymes from store bought juice that you get in actual fruit.

Amy - posted on 11/28/2011

My children 8,6,3, and 1 drink water or milk mostly. When we have juice we do the same. I think you are very wise! I asked my peditrition about it and he said that basically juice is empty calories and is hard on the teeth, even the 100% juice.

In my opinion, eating the real deal is best! God put skin on the fruits and veggies for a reason....to keep the vitamins in. Juice has no peelings.

Charleen - posted on 11/27/2011

I started juice about 6 months with 3/4 water and 1/4 juice i STILL do that with my 6 yr old. It is a good way to get them to drink more water while they think they are getting juice. They do not need juice at all for any medical reason unless they are diabetic but if you are going to set an example (a good one btw) follow through with no sugary foods such as candy or soda keep the chips down. I am sure you do since you are doing such a good thing with the juice but the longer you can keep them eating the healthy way the better off you are believe me until my daughter was 4 she thought trick or treat candy had to go to the homeless shelter for their treats. Now she has caught onto candy but it is not allowed to be bought or in the house. The candy still goes but we do have chips and cookies homemade. Other than that I am not a big health fanatic although I should be. But juice is not neccasary so good luck

Kari - posted on 11/20/2011

I have 3 kids ages 4, 3 and 20 months old. None of them like juice, so none of them get it. They drink milk, chocolate milk or water. And on special occasions they get soda. But, alot of my friends dont give their kids juice, the oldest of their kids is 4. I dont see anything wrong with NOT giving your child juice.

Susan - posted on 11/19/2011

I actually think its much better for their health to NOT have juice. These days more juices are predominantly made from sugars, contain preservatives and are really just watered down inferior version of what juice should be. I dont give my 18month old any juice at all he just has water and milk and a healthy well balanced diet, with minimal sugar. Sugar actually inhibits the immune system.

Terina - posted on 11/19/2011

no ! i didnt give my son juice till he was at least over 1 year but for some reason my daughter who is now 21 months had juice a lot sooner but i wish i didnt ! as shes developed a taste for it now and protests if i give her water but my son on the other hand is fine with water of course hed prefere juice , id stick with what you are doing if i was you at the end of the day its your child your rules i wish i didnt give my daughter juice so young :0) but on the other i dont think theres anything wrong with letting them having on the odd occasion like you say if its a party or something

Tricia - posted on 11/18/2011

I have a 7 year old and 1.5 year old twins and none of them have had juice more than 1 or 2 times a year... occasionally 1 or 2 more but No I don't give my kids juice, it's bad for their teeth and water is better for them anyways!!

Shan - posted on 11/13/2011

Water or milk. and only V8 juice and that is rare

Teresa - posted on 11/10/2011

i only give my son juice on weekends, and always watered down 4:1 with water. (during the week he is at daycare and they only give water or milk, which is fine by me). he eats a lot of fruit and i really don;'t think he needs the juice, i only give it to him, because my husband started doing it, and now he asks for it. I don't have any strong beliefs about it either way, as long as it is 100% juice, and not a sugary "fruit drink"

Liz - posted on 11/09/2011

I give juice to my 2 year old, but only as 1 part in 5 diluted with water and no more than once a day. I'm fine with giving her a taste of the flavor, but she doesn't need more sugar than that! I'm totally in agreement with Kim Sarofin's answer. :)

Kari - posted on 11/08/2011

I don't give my 19mo old daughter juice, only milk and water. I just don't think she needs the extra sugar. I did the same with my 2 older boys, I occasionally gave them juice cut with water after they were about 3, and I never gave them soda. Now they are 10 & 12 and don't care for the sugary drinks.

Lisa-Marie - posted on 11/03/2011

my daughter is 18months old and drinks juice all the time. we buy her the baby the juice which is pre watered and suitable from 6 months. she also loves water. the one cup of juice she drinks is her entire vitamin c daily needs and it is sugar free. my doctor says its perfectly fine as its sugar free and no artifical colours or persavities added. she gets one cup a day and than water after that. she doent get anything to drink at meal cause she doesnt eat her food if has a drink. i do not give cool drink and never will

Jenny - posted on 11/02/2011

I dont give my kids juice either! I get strange looks and comments, and "aww, can i give him just a little?" They (family/ freinds) really feel bad for my kids.
I dont see why. They should be happy that i dont give my kids junk, chips & chocolate. But they are not, because they give their kids crap, and probably makes them feel bad to know that i dont.

Eschelle - posted on 10/28/2011

with my eldest i held off on it as long as possible. Honestly just delays acid erosion due to juice on their teeth. All he needs is milk and water nothing wrong with that and good on ya for keeping the juice out of his diet H2O is hte way to go!

Marta - posted on 10/23/2011

You're not the only one! :). I don't give my son juice - I figure what's the point of getting him used to sweet drinks when water is the healthiest drink out there. I do give him orange juice when he has a cold for the vitamin C, but that's it. If he doesn't know it exists and doesn't ask for it, what's the point? There's plenty of time for them to try not-so-healthy foods - no use in us "forcing" it on them (and that's exactly what we're doing when we give our kids food because really they have no choice about what they eat, other than what's given to them).

TINA - posted on 10/22/2011

Sara almost never gets juice either and when she does its always 80 % water and 20 % juice. Shes sweet enough she doesnt need any more sugar. I also do that with prestty much anything sweet I give her ie if im eating ice cream she gets just a little bit from the tip of the spoon. She barely gets a taste but that is enough for her. I do that with any sweet food. A great way to get them used to juice is to add fresh slices to water or I have a soda stream that basically makes fizzy water and I add orange slices to it. She loves it and thinks shes getting pop when all it is is seltzer water, LOL

Katie - posted on 10/18/2011

Neither do I.........it makes my baby girl have diarrhea and the sugar is so bad.

Cher - posted on 10/18/2011

my 19mnth old very rarely gets juice,he drinks water and milk and bm,He is given plenty of actual fruit that has juice in it. They dont need juice and it is actually not that healthy for them so your not alone!!

Shan - posted on 10/17/2011

I rarely give my daughter juice it's either water or milk and maybe that person looked at you because they have their child hopped up on all that sugar all the time

Ella - posted on 10/15/2011

My twins are 21 months and they get juice. i think its fine for kids to have juice. I dont have limits on it or anything! but if you dont like giving him juice i think its fine and you should stick with what you do if your son is fine with it!

Nicki - posted on 10/15/2011

I've always given my children cordial at lunchtime and water and milk at other times, because I like a sweet drink with lunch myself. I've never watered it down much because to me that tastes worse than pure water! Now I'm doing family day care and my scheme advises not giving cordial. It seems a little grim just drinking water with lunch! I think it's great if your child is happy without sweet drinks.

Brittany - posted on 10/14/2011

My son drinks milk, juice and water. He likes it all, and it's not effecting him any.

Pamela - posted on 10/14/2011

I dilute my 21 month old's juice because it has way too much sugar in it. 25-35 grams per serving is too much (even for adults.) It also helps that the juice lasts longer. :)

Gwynne - posted on 10/12/2011

rip at me all you want, but I suspect that the first mom to cut juice 50/50 with water did so to save money and stretch the juice to last 2x as long, not necessarily because they were afraid to give their children natural sugars.

Jamie - posted on 10/12/2011

I have twins(7) another 6 and a 21 mo old, I still do this. The older ones even ask for ” juice-water”.

Roxanne - posted on 10/09/2011

Not at all! our 7yr old twins didn't get straight juice until they were 5. They always got juice cut. Our 18mo old gets enough juice to flavor his water.

Gwynne - posted on 10/05/2011

...o^O... everything in moderation. A little natural fruit juice is not bad. http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/nutrition...

Tiffany - posted on 10/02/2011

i think im the only one that does give there child juice. real juice not watered down thats the way i always had it and my teeth are pretty good. I think i have heard more moms say its ok to smoke while pregnant then just have juice....seriously?

Dru - posted on 09/29/2011

We don't do juice either. My daughter hates cow milk so she gets water or flavored water. Nothing with sugar in it. She gets enough sugar with her cookie obsession but we limit that too.

Kristin - posted on 09/24/2011

I dont give my 18 month juice yet and people think i am nuts but they are giving their kids cheetos .. so seriously who is the real nut?

Lydia - posted on 09/23/2011

I started giving my daughter watered down juice when she turned one and then asked my pediatrician who told me that besides orange juice or V8 juice that it doesn't really have any nutritional value for them so not to bother. She's 18 months old now and she gets a cup of milk (6 oz) with breakfast in the morning and flavored waters all day and then another cup of milk with dinner. Every now and then she gets a little bit of watered down juice but they really don't need it :)

Amber - posted on 09/22/2011

While I do, I think what you're doing is completley normal and acceptable. My daughter is 18 months and she just started getting juice a month or so ago.

Ashley - posted on 09/20/2011

I give my 19month old juice...not very much and very diluted. He mostly drinks milk and water. The only time I will give him juice is when he is refusing the milk or water, which is very rare. So maybe once a week he gets juice and I put less then half in his sippy cup.

Victoria - posted on 09/20/2011

my daughters goes through juice like crazy, its the only thing she will drink. she absolutely refuses to drink milk or water. i always water the juice down though. i tried adding a little chocolate to her milk and she still didnt drink it.

Suzie - posted on 09/19/2011

My son is going to be 18 months tomorrow and never had juce... he only drinks milk and water and smoothies too. he just loves smoothies.

Jessica - posted on 09/19/2011

I make juice for my boys, actually one of the favs is strawberry juice, I use a coffee pot, a filter and water. Basically it cookies them and gives you a nice vitamin, and mineral flavored type drink. I rarely give him small tastes of juice, and I minimally add sugar to his strawberry juice. I do the same for blueberry juice... and he loves it.

I personally, avoid any store bought juice except on rare occasions.

Claudia - posted on 09/18/2011

No, juice is full of sugar. If you want to introduce juice, you can make your own. Just blend the fruit with water and add the amount of sugar you want for your child. Water is great for your child. Believe or not I know people that gives coca cola, pepsi, etc to their toddlers, and theyer children are overwheight. Don't worry about what others think or say, you are the mom, is your child, you make decisions, just that. You are doing a great job!

Claudia - posted on 09/18/2011

No, juice is full of sugar. If you want to introduce juice, you can make your own. Just blend the fruit with water and add the amount of sugar you want for your child. Water is great for your child. Believe or not I know people that gives coca cola, pepsi, etc to their toddlers, and theyer children are overwheight. Don't worry about what others think or say, you are the mom, is your child, you make decisions, just that. You are doing a great job!

Morgan - posted on 09/16/2011

My daughter is 20 months and has only had 1 sippy cup of applem juice when she had the flu, water and milk are all she needs

Jeannette - posted on 09/16/2011

My son is 22 months and does not have juice either. I don't think it is necessary. He eats plenty of fruits and veggies. My sister still water's down her 3 year old daughters juice. He has water with him all day and with dinner. Milk with breakfast and usually lunch and chocolate milk as a treat.

Now if he did not eat fruits and veggies, then it would be a different story and I would give him either 100% fruit and veggie juice (still mixed with water) or homemade juice.

Jenn - posted on 09/15/2011

I can so relate to this post! My daughter is 2 1/2 years old and only drinks milk and water too. We eat/drink pretty healthfully as a family and tend to avoid 'empty calories', so indirectly have passed that onto our daughter thus far too. The way I see it, if she doesn't need/ask for juice, cookies, etc, she's happy with the other healthy options. Now if she's at a party or a friend's house and wants one, no problem. But our pediatrician said the same thing other moms have posted: There's not really nutrition in juice and it's bad for their teeth, at an age when it's hard to get quality teeth-brushing done daily :-).

Tischanna - posted on 09/14/2011

i dont give my son soda at all but he drinks a lot of pure fruit juice

Ariel - posted on 09/14/2011

My son is 3 as well and he drinks juice on a daily basis. I try to dilute his juice as much as possible because he gives me a hard time when I give him regular water. If your son doesn't mind drinking water, I would continue to give him water as much as possible! However, don't be scared to give him diluted juice. It's not weird at all. It's more healthy for your son in the long run.

Nicole - posted on 09/13/2011

My DD is 17 mos and she doesnt get juice yet.. Ive tried it but she prefers milk or water..