is 5 months to early to start diluted juice?

Gretchen - posted on 05/29/2010

My sis is a dentist for children at a public health clinic and can testify to how bad some children's teeth are and she says that most all of the children have been given juice. She beggs me not to give my son juice. I want to give him water though but wonder if it is ok. SInce the temperatures are getting warmer in Illinois, I don't want him to get dehydrated. Also, my son will some times go days without a poop and have been told that is also normal with breastfed babies.

Leah - posted on 05/28/2010

Yes I think so. I don't believe a baby should have any juice with the exception of a little diluted prune juice mixed in his or her cereal when needed. Juice has too much sugar even diluted.

Janeen - posted on 05/27/2010

i started juice at 6 months. i dont know about earlier but i do know that he LOVES it now. i do at least 1/2 h20 but it seems to be so much more quenching especially in this weather. can you imagine having formula ALL the time?

Katherine - posted on 05/26/2010

My pediatrician said I could give diluted juice whenever I wanted to. I haven't yet because he loves water so I don't really see the point. He does get hard stools every once and a while, so that would be the only reason I would give it to him, but prunes do the trick for that. The amount you would dilute it really wouldn't give the baby all that much sugar, and if it helps kick start them into drinking water I don't see the harm. I just wouldn't have it be the only thing they drink. Everything in moderation is a pretty good rule to go by.

Chanelle - posted on 05/26/2010

i was told by my health visitor 2 give my baby very diluted juice at 4 weeks old as she was a colic baby and now she has 5oz a day, they say it helps prevent constipation but not cause the runs

Michelle - posted on 04/01/2010

When my son was about 2 months old he had a problem going to the bathroom ( formula fed ) my doctor suggested gerber apple juice, white grape juice or pear juice. I was told not to dilute it because there is no added sugar to it and I believe it is already diluted. They also said the amount to go by is one ounce per month. He is 5 months now but i still only give him 4 ounces. I have been giving him juice since he was two month old and he is fine. He also eats cereal and fruits and vegtables. He loves it but by no means does he favor it over his formula. However I have heard that babies do not need juice at all.

Amanda - posted on 03/30/2010

Jake has been sick with congestion and i got 3 professional opinions suggesting to give him a bit of diluted apple juice.

1. i called telahealth nurse (suggested)

2. walk in clinic doctor (suggested)

3. family doctor (suggested)



You can get baby (no sugar added) apple juice and dilute it half water, half juice.

I usually give Jake 1-2 times a day (for a week now) 40ml juice and about 100ml water...



I was really hesitant to give it to him, but as a mother, i know not to make it a habit.

It didn't give him any runny poops, no tummy aches either.

I think its alright, as long as you know ultimatly baby doesn't need it to survive right now, and not to make it a habit later down the road.



If Jake didn't end up sick however, i would definatly not have given him juice till later on.



hope that helps?

Katie - posted on 03/29/2010

I was advised that juice and cordial should be avoided for as long as possible, especially soft drink!! As they really love the sweeter drinks, like apple juice, but I suppose that orange juice is quite tart in comparison. But the sugar content is just extra calories that aren't needed. And if you are responsible for cleaning their baby teeth, do you want extra sugar in their mouth that you just have to make sure you clean extra carefully!!
If you lead by example and drink water it will be better for yourself and your kid.
I am going to have to wean myself off juice and cordial soon!! So I can set a good example to my little girl.

Diane - posted on 03/25/2010

My son is getting juice, mainly white grape. Hid Dr. says a little juice won't hurt. I give him a few solids now and again which he is happy to chew on, since the gums are bothering him. He does not like water from the first time he has had it. He has to be coaxed into having abit or i use a cup and spoon to feed him. He has been having rice cereal from he was 3 mths, which was recommended by his pedi because he spits up alot. This shud help the stomach feel fuller and help with the spitting up. He has been formula fed since 2mths becuz i did not produce enough breast milk for him to suck.

Jayda - posted on 03/25/2010

I wouldnt offer juice to him at all...once they get the sweet taste of juice they wont want water and water is best!

Kelly - posted on 03/25/2010

Definitely does not need juice- our oldest boy is almost 2 and only have very diluted juice on special occasions.

Alisha - posted on 03/25/2010

My pediatrician recommended juice for my baby. Gerber makes a pear and apple juice for babies, its sold in the isle with the baby food. The doctor also said there is no need to dilute it because its made especially for them, unlike juicy juice or any other brand. I dont think it would hurt your baby, mine loves it! Plus if he is already eating cereal and fruits/veggies, it couldnt hurt.

Angela - posted on 03/25/2010

my son had juice at 2 1/2 months, i say go for it.

Nicole - posted on 03/25/2010

i wouldn't do juice quite yet. breast milk is the main important source right now. i only use juice if my little girl is plugged up. but other than that i wouldn't recommend it.

Carrie - posted on 03/25/2010

I ONLY gave my little one 2oz-4oz of undiluted juice at the recommendation of his pediatrician to get him to have a bowl after being constipated for 3 days when he was 12 weeks old. I don't give it to him anymore unless he is constipated. Juice is chock-full of sugars they don't need. So giving it to your baby just to do it, I wouldn't.

Rachael - posted on 03/25/2010

Diluted Juice would be fine to be offered now.. but there is no need for it. If he has excessive amounts of it, it can cause the runs.. I give my daughter watered down juice when she is constipated.. and it always seems to help. lol. :)

Katrina - posted on 03/24/2010

only give him fresh juices. make sure its not acidic and better dilute it with water:)

Nicole - posted on 03/24/2010

Juice is a horrible idea. Babies don't even NEED extra calories apart from breastmilk until 6 months. Why would he need juice? No one needs juice, and for those budding teeth, it's just another thing to rot through enamel.

Stacey - posted on 03/24/2010

I have also given my 5 month old son watered down juice....he is formula fed though...wanted to start him on water and he wouldn't drink it so put a little apple juice in and now he will drink anything. He loves the variety. He is also on solids at least once a day and loves everything and anything. I don't think it would matter if you wanted to try just make sure it is very weak. I say whatever makes bub and mum happy ;)

Terri - posted on 03/24/2010

My daughter is 5 months old as of yesterday, and I give her watered down apple juice and have for about 2 weeks. My daughter does have issues with going to the bathroom though, so it really helps her out. If I didn't give her juice or sugar water, she wouldn't go to the bathroom for 3 days sometimes. So if he has no problems with going, it may give him runs. Although I don't think that it will hurt if you did give it to him! My daughters pedi. says that it is fine, and giving them water helps clear there systems! They need water as we do! My aunt has a 2 month old and her doc. suggested giving her water and juice already! Which, once again she has problems with pooping as well!! It is really all in what you decide, you could try it out and if he gets the runs then don't give him anymore!

Katie - posted on 03/24/2010

I don't think you're suppose to start juice until at least 6 or 7 months old and then you should do half juice, half water and give no more than 4 ounces a day. I've also heard that white grape juice tends to be the most gentle on the belly.

Jessica - posted on 03/24/2010

We just started our little guy on rice cereal last week, and he's loving that. He only gets maybe an ounce or two of water over the course of a day - I think he just likes to gnaw on the sippy cup because he's teething at the moment! Other than that, it's just breastfeeding and the odd bottle of formula. I thought we were starting kinda early with the cereal, but he's so hungry lately, and it's helped space out his feedings again. I'm glad to hear there's other mommys/daddys getting their 5-month-olds on solid food too, at least I know I'm not the only one!

Tabitha - posted on 03/24/2010

I've been hesitant about giving him water because I've heard that breastfed babies don't need water, and it could dilute there sodium levels and cause seizures. He will be 6 months in 18 days so we'll probably just wait til then. He's tried every fruit and vegetable in the pureed foods he likes veggies, doesn't really like fruit, but will eat it.

Jessica - posted on 03/24/2010

if he's taking cereal and fruit/veggie well, why not try different pureed fruits or veg for variety? our 5 month old son likes just plain old water in a sippy cup, i've been giving him a sip here and there for a couple of weeks now. just getting to use the cup is enough variety to entertain him!

Giana - posted on 03/24/2010

I agree with the others- no need for juice! They may like the taste, but that's because they're drinking sugar! Unfortunately kids get plenty of that later, why start now?

Kirsty - posted on 03/24/2010

I've got an NHS weaning booklet which says you can give your baby juice, but it needs to be diluted by 10 parts water 1 part juice.
I think i'll start doing this when i'm sure her body has adapted to the food i am giving her, and she can drink out of a sippy cup.

Lise - posted on 03/23/2010

he'll get empty calories enough when older... why start now? :) I wouldn't if i were you.

Sarah - posted on 03/23/2010

I completely agree with Jennifer. There is not a reasone for juice at all. You do not want to rot the teeth before they even have them.

Debbie - posted on 03/22/2010

I personally would not offer juice, perhaps try to get the variety other ways, although at 5mths they still only need the very basics of ffod in their diet, their little tummies cant cope with to much of a verity.

Jennifer - posted on 03/22/2010

juice is not needed at all really, and you're right it may cause diarrhea. Six months is the minimum age I think, but really juice is not needed at all ever - it's basically sugar water. Fresh pressed veggie juice might be ok later if it's diluted but right now all he needs is mama milk.