Apple juice dilemma!

Bridget - posted on 03/15/2010

pear jucie , the apple jucie just isnt good for their tummys, and it causes bad poops !!!! very watery my son loves the pear jucie. my doc said he should start drinking jucie everyday at 4 mounths but to water it down alot so i put 3 oz jucie and 5 oz water

Ila - posted on 03/15/2010

Your not supose to give them juice at that age but I gave it to mine. But I did water it down and apple juice I watered down more than half and half. My kids are 5 and almost 7 and they still dont get apple juice unless it is watered down because they get diarrhea from it still.

Becki - posted on 03/15/2010

My kids always liked white grape juice 1/2 juice 1/2 water. I believe my pediatrician had me try it around 6 months. All three of mine had trouble with apple juice so I just gave them either white grape or pear juice neither of those caused them any problem. Good luck it's just kind of trial and error and you know your baby the best.

Faye - posted on 03/15/2010

I would wait to introduce juice. He is not ready. for good information about what foods are appropriate for babies, there is great information on the website www.westonaprice.org.
Also in the cookbook Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.

Becky - posted on 03/15/2010

Juice actually isn't really good for anyone. It's mostly sugar and empty calories. One of the things that's so good for us in fruit is the fiber, and fruit juice doesn't have that. If you're ever trying to lose weight, one of the things most diets say is stop drinking juice and just eat whole fruit! That said, I love juice and drink a lot of it, and I do give my 2 year old son one glass of diluted fruit juice a day, for the vitamins because he doesn't eat enough fruits or veggies. But we didn't give him juice, ever, except maybe prune juice once or twice for constipation, until he was over a year old. It's not something you need to introduce to them.
Generally, for constipation, I used pureed prunes. And yes, the bananas probably are constipating him. I found they did with my son.

Jerri - posted on 03/15/2010

try white grape juice, or put more water with the apple juice

Carissa - posted on 03/15/2010

I didnt introduce apple juice until my baby girl was 8 months and it was watered down ! give him a few more months :)

Andrea - posted on 03/15/2010

My doctor suggested I start my daughter on juice around the same time as well. He suggested either apple, grape or pear. We gave her white grape. He told me that the juice would help keep her bowels regular like it does in adults, but if she became really constipated and these juices didn't help, that prune juice was okay as well. Of course you said you're diluting it. I'm not sure some of the responders read your later post.
I also started my daughter on solids at 4 months old at my doctor's suggestion. He said to start slowly. I don't see anything wrong with what you're trying. It's the same suggestions I was given. My doctor also told me that the idea that introducing foods early causes allergies is a myth. You are born with a tolerence to certian foods and without the tolerance for others. You'll be that way no matter when it is introduced. It's the same with medicines like penicillin allergies. High allergy risks like peanuts and berries should be avoided because of the severity of the reactions.
This is what my doctor advised me. I'm sure neither your doctor or mine would advise us to do someting that would hurt our children.

Andrea - posted on 03/15/2010

i tried with my son that young because he was constipated and he wanted nothing to do with it. we tried again around 6 months and now he loves it. i would just wait a few more months, and like the other mothers said, unless they are constipated, they dont really need juice until 6 months+

Beth - posted on 03/15/2010

Try white grape juice-it is much gentler on their stomachs. I also suggest diluting it 1/2 and 1/2 with water, especially when he is first starting to drink it. It is not nutritionally necessary for him to drink juice, so if he is stuggling with it, just stick with breastmilk or formula. Good luck!

D - posted on 03/15/2010

I thought you shouldn't give juice until they are about 8mo or so? I didn't give any food/drink to my babies (except breastmilk/formula) until 5-6 months, and it was cereal to start.

Farrah - posted on 03/15/2010

Water is always best.
However, Asian mothers do take a pinch of fennel seed; boil and cool before giving to their babies, this is particularly good for colicky babies.
Never gave juice till my girls were a year and even then it was severly diluted.

Melissa - posted on 03/15/2010

Wendee, he is your son and you know him best. I know in Canada juice isn't recommended till 6 months and all the dieticians who I have talked to say not to dilute it anymore, just give them 1/2 a cup max otherwise if you dilute it all day, etc.. they get used to it all day. My daughter is 6 months and she was started on cereal at 4 months as she was trying to eat so we went with it. Each baby is different. If you find it is upsetting his tummy maybe try not giving it to him, it may be too much sugar for him and maybe hold off on juice till he's older. I have only given juice once to my daughter to get her bowels moving till I could find prunes to feed her and it helped. As well, I am sure you aren't hurting your baby or anything, I know my generation the moms were told to give us juice from birth to get rid of issues like scurvy and we are just fine. Just remember your son will let you know if he likes it or not. As for the bananas...try switching to baby oatmeal if you are giving bananas...we had to for my daughter as well as there was no fibre in her diet the other way and she has had no issues since. Good luck!

Debbie - posted on 03/15/2010

My grand-daughter is almost 20 months old and she has been drinking apple juice for well over a year. First we started mixing it half and half with water, but that only lasted a couple of months. She doen't eat sweets and never ask for them. She is very healthy and such a sweet baby. BTW, I have two girls ages 25 & 20, and they alwyas had juice and still drink it more then soft drinks.

Christin - posted on 03/15/2010

Hi Wendee, I read your reply below and I must say I am really surprised by your doctor's recommendation. Perhaps you are not from the USA and that is the reason for the conflicting advice. Personally, I don't think young babies need any juice and if you are giving it to help constipation then prune juice is better. I am also surprised that you are starting foods so early, I was always told to wait until they were about 6 months because you risk developing food allergies if you introduce foods too early. Even when I did introduce food, it was that baby cereal mixed with breastmilk or formula for several weeks.

I don't want you to feel like I am telling you what to do or chastizing you, I am not, just surprised by your doctor's recommendation. I encourage you to do some research on your own regarding this subject.

BTW, I have three girls ages 12, 9 and 5 and I just never wanted to get the juice thing started. I never gave my girls juice only water and breastmilk. Now they drink orange juice with breakfast but they still basically only drink milk and water. Once you start with the juice even if you dilute it they want the sweet taste and start to refuse plain water. My girls all love to drink water and that is their drink of choice now. Only using water also made it easier to go around and run errands or travel. No messy sticky sippy cups to deal with and we could pretty much get water for free everywhere if we asked. At least we could get water for free prior to moving to Europe! LOL Now we drag our own water bottles around everywhere to avoid paying high prices for water.

I wish you luck with your precious little boy.

Candice - posted on 03/14/2010

WE diluted the juice WAY more than 50/50; ours was closer to the teaspoon in the water for taste. Make sure that the baby is only getting sips and not guzzling because 1: that will give him a tummy ache and 2: he won't have any room in his tummy for the formula or breast milk that he needs to grow.
Also, only EVER use 100% juice with no added sugar with children!

Sandra - posted on 03/14/2010

Try white grape juice and be sure to start off by diluting it in half with water.

Nicole - posted on 03/14/2010

Yeah, I would wait, they do fine with water, a teaspoon of apple juice to change the taste a teeny bit would be fine.

Donna - posted on 03/14/2010

Juice isn't appropriate until they are more than 6 months. You should dilute it also. Most baby foods should not be introduced until that age or greater. Their digestive system is not developed enough for it.

Paige - posted on 03/14/2010

Definately too young for juice! I think he is too young for bananas too!

Jen - posted on 03/14/2010

cow n gate do juices for babies over 4 months n u can add water to make it as weak as u want it it did our baby no harm n he was on it frm 4 months til 1 yrs old

Lorraine - posted on 03/14/2010

Only give water With a small amount of pure juice from about 6 months if they are thirsty and perhaps a little constipated otherwise stick to water and offer fresh fruit. Juices have added sugar etc which babies don't need. The herbal granules are a much healthier less sweet option. I gave mine watered down pure juice only with their lunch, never squash and they all drink water very well. All nurseries now do not give any juice only water or milk.

Gloria - posted on 03/14/2010

Juices are not god for small babies, I think until a yr

Lindsay - posted on 03/13/2010

Babies shouldn't have juice or water til around 9 months. Before that they should only have BM or formula. There bodies can't process it that young. When you do try I reccomend white grape juice.

Debbi (Grammy) - posted on 03/13/2010

Try pear juice-baby variety only.... and wait until at least 6 months of age. Cramps are a sign of too early an exposure to the juice. Start with only one ounce of juice, mixed with water. Wait until at least 24 hours has passed for any signs of cramping or allergies. If no bad signs, then go two 2 ounces the next time, with less water. Remember, fruit juice is only a special treat, or a snack. It does not replace breast milk or formula.

Amanda - posted on 03/12/2010

Apple juice is like pure acid. Juice is one of the worse things you can give your baby, for their tummys and for their teeth. Why not get your child drinkin water???? It is so much better for them.

Teresa - posted on 03/12/2010

yeah i think he's way to young for juices. i gave mine juice at 7 and 8 months to find they are too strong for his little body still. he broke out in a very bad rash on his bum each time. half water and half juice is my suggestion, but not at this age. try again when he's like 11 months. good luck mom!

Tyra - posted on 03/12/2010

Don't give your baby juice until he is at least 1 year old. Apple juice is too acidic and full of sugar... give them milk.

September - posted on 03/12/2010

Babies don't need juice, plus 4.5 months is way too young in my opinion for juice. Our son is 16 months and has never even had juice. He loves water and milk so that's what we stick with. I would talk to your doctor and read up a bit more before you go offering juice to such a young baby. I've never in my life heard of a doctor suggesting that you offer a 3 month old baby juice.

Lesley - posted on 03/12/2010

I have 3 children and none of them had pure juice till they were over a year old ,I gave them diluted juice from 6 monthes and just cooled boiled water until then .

If juice is giving your son cramps I would just stick with the cooled boiled water

Wanda - posted on 03/12/2010

Okay, Wendee, if I understand this right you want to give him a little juice to help with constipation. I would give my son prune juice, diluted of course. Prunes are great for getting the bowels moving. Pears work well, too. If he's really constipated, he's going to get some cramping until he's going on a regular basis again.

The old school method was a little sugar water, so you can try that as well.

Ashley - posted on 03/12/2010

i agree with everyone that is saying hes to young i didnt give my oldest juice til she was 9 0r 10 months and even then it was 75- 80 % water mixed with 25- 20% juice our youngest is 10 months now and still hasnt had juice yet if you need to give him something else to drink then his milk give him a bit of water that has been boiled then chilled

Nicole - posted on 03/12/2010

too young for juice, it goes by stages when he can sit up completely on his own then introduce juice. but i wouldn't quite yet, they don't really need it. and when they are that stage dilute it. like half water half juice. my daughter is only 5 months and i only use prune juice when she is constipated, and thats if the pruned purees aren't working. im really skeptical on giving juice.

Beth - posted on 03/12/2010

I gave my kids juice at 3 months and they are healthy and love it now.. I get the gerber brand juice and at 4 and a half months I tried the other types, besides apple. At 6 months I started my son on the yogurt juices

Theresa - posted on 03/12/2010

Don't give him juice. There's no reason for it. It will just get him used to sweets. He gets all the nutrition he needs from his formula or breastmilk right now. Juices shouldn't be introduced until 6 months and I don't even see a reason for it then. My daughter is 17 months and only has juice when she has hard stool issues too loosen her up. Otherwise she only has milk and water. When/if you do introduce juice when the baby's older you should dilute it to no more than 1/2 juice and 1/2 water.



I'm surprised your ped recommended starting him on juice that young. I'm also surprised he wanted you to give him cereal and fruit that young. My docs all said nothing other than formula or breatmilk until at least 6 months. Then you introduce plain rice cereal first mixed with their milk. Fruits and veggies weren't until about 8-9 months. Even though your doc suggested it I would wait until 6 months, if even then for the juice. The cereal is up to you, but I would use plain rice with out the banabas. bananas do tend to make poop harder. His little system is still to new to food to digest things like that. good luck.

Brittany - posted on 03/12/2010

If you were giving him straight apple juice and not diluting it I'm not shocked he got cramps. Diluted apple juice is fantastic for constipation but you're really not supposed to start juice until 6 months.

Medic - posted on 03/12/2010

He's too young like the others have said but pear juice is good diluted and white grape juice is good too but I waited till my son was almost 7 months and he only got a few oz a day in a sippy cup....most of it he poured onto the floor.

Wendee - posted on 03/12/2010

This is my first child, so everything is new to me and I am just going by what my pediatrician has told me and at his 3 month check up the doctor told me I can start introducing apple juice. Of course I dilute it. I dilute it quite a bit. It is basically water with a splash of juice and I only give maybe 3 ounces a day. He is a little constipated at the moment, but I am giving him oatmeal with bananas and I think that is what is constipating him...bananas! The nurse told me that apples and apple sauce will cause constipation, but the apple juice actually helps them to go, but is not a fix for the problem.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 03/12/2010

Ok, so everyone in here has pretty much said it all...to soon to give juice for sure, and when you do..dilute dilute dilute. My son is almost 4 and I still give him 1/2 water 1/2 juice. Here is a myth about apple juice, it makes you go poop. On the contrary, it binds you up. Also, to much apple juice can cause stomach cramping just as you describe. You can look that up..on web MD look up infant/toddler stomach aches..it should be one of the list of causes. If you do need to give juice, pear juice is much more gentle on there little systems, and will help move the poops on out. Good luck!

Jhoni - posted on 03/12/2010

Oh, I forgot to mention that the juice is really bad for their teeth as they're coming in

Jhoni - posted on 03/12/2010

the poor little guy is probably having stomach cramps because the apple juice makes his bowels move. Is there a reason you want to give him juice? If he is going to the bathroom okay, then i wouldn't worry about any juice. Besides its sweet and he'll crave it as he gets older. Milk really is the best thing for him if he tolerates it well. Good luck...

Vanessa - posted on 03/12/2010

I was always worried about giving my older 2 juice and they are still 3 and 2 and i barely want them to have juice, cause i heard things as it was so bad for babys and i was worried about them having to much, only reason i let my youngest have juice is because she is a contant drinker and would drink over 30ozs (a sleeve of a bag and more) by herself in one day so milk is so expenisve, i started giving her juice and use to water it down too. My youngest is 3 months and I dont even give her water(besides what i use to make formula) but that is all she gets, I might start giving her a little water when she gets a upset tummy. I had someone else tell me to gice her prune juice or apple juice with water cause she seemed constipated.. but I wouldnt.. just keep with the formula:) but apple juice would still be the best one to try in a few months:)

Christi - posted on 03/12/2010

we gave my son juice at six months, but we diluted it with water. the only reason we gave it to him was because he would get the hiccups alot and he would get constipated. i think introducing juice at six months in a sippy cup helped prepare my son to drink out of a sippy cup and made the switch at one much easier.

Kristien - posted on 03/12/2010

I wouldn't give him any juice at all at his age. What he needs is breastmilk and water.

Gwen - posted on 03/12/2010

My daughter didn't really have much interest in juice until she was over a year old.

CASEY - posted on 03/12/2010

i agree Joanna Bedard unless ur baby is constipated i thnk about 6 months is the time to give juice and then it should be half juice half water

Firebird - posted on 03/12/2010

He doesn't need juice at his age. It's not really good for babies. I didn't give my girl juice until she was 9 months old and it was half water, half juice. I would wait much longer if I were you.