When can my lil man drink juice?

Amy - posted on 06/30/2010

I learned the hard way don't get them on juice at all unless they're constipated. That's all my 4 yr old likes to drink now and the trips to the dentist to have numerous cavities filled isn't fun. Now he when he has juice he has to brush his teeth right afterwards so that had cut down on how often he asks for it!

Julia - posted on 06/30/2010

Most doctors say 6 months for apple juice but our oldest always preferred water to juice so that is usually what we went with. My younger daughter who is now 9 months likes watered down juice but it is more of a treat for her because she normally gets water.

Aideen - posted on 06/30/2010

we have kept away from juice with our two, and indeed we count it as a treat food for ourselves now too. The dentist told us about acid erosion and that's not a problem we want to deal with down the line. We let our little man suck on orange segments and he gets lots of fruit, (purees at your stage). Water and milk only as drinks.

Kathy - posted on 06/30/2010

you can.... my daughter is 9 months and has been having juice sometimes since about 6-7 months. I water it down alot and I only give it to her to well loosen her stools. I started giving her water about a month ago in her sippy cup too. I keep bottles just for her formula and use the sippy cup for water and juice so she learns to use it.

Chatty - posted on 06/30/2010

You can at 6 months but I wouldn't.....in my opinion it's unecessary! My 21 month old still doesn't get juice.....well, maybe on a rare treat or occasion but that's it! Bad for teeth and useless calories!

Jennifer - posted on 06/30/2010

most doctors say 6 months, but that by no means means it is necessary. i personally think it is just empty calories so we don't plan on giving our son juice until he is much older, and only after he has acquired the taste for plain water.

if you do decide to give juice, apple and white grape are most gentle on their little tummies, and you want to dilute it AT LEAST half water, half juice. also, be mindful that if and when your little one has teeth, you want to brush their teeth after juice especially so as to prevent dental caries.

Jennifer - posted on 06/30/2010

The only time I gave my son juice was when he got constipated. A little pear juice always did the trick. I learned quickly that apple juice is very binding and will constipate some babies. Right now, your son is still getting all the nutrition he needs from breast milk or formula. You can certainly give him a little watered down juice but it really isn't necessary.

Lindsey - posted on 06/30/2010

I have 5 kids and with each one the dr told me 4 months was a good time to begin juice but to start with white grape and apple first and to gradually add juice to a bottle of water. Start with 1 oz of juice and 5 oz of water and after a couple weeks of that you can increase the amt of juice 1 oz at a time. It may cause diarrea for the first couple of days that is just the body adjusting to the juice. Hope this helps.

Celeste - posted on 06/30/2010

This is my first just to let you all know LOL. :)