Why Giving Fruit Juice to Babies is a Bad Idea
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is changing its stance on fruit juice for children. The statement says fruit juice doesn’t offer any nutritional benefits to children under the age of 1 and should not be included in their diet. It marks the organization’s first change in recommendations on fruit juice since 2001. The AAP sites increasing obesity rates and concerns about dental health as the reasons for the change.
When Can Babies Have Juice?
- Under 1: No juice
- Toddlers age 1-3: 4 ounces daily
- Children age 4-6: 4-6 ounces daily
- Children age 7-18: 8 ounces daily
“These are guidelines for parents to follow,” Dr. Andrew Cyr, MD, UnityPoint Health says. “That being said, juice is in no way a requirement for a healthy balanced diet.”
Dr. Cyr says breast milk and formula should be the primary liquid offered to babies until solid foods are introduced around the 4 to 6 month mark.
“Breast milk and/or formula provide the most appropriate mix of protein, fat, carbohydrates and electrolytes. It is okay to begin giving small amounts of water between 6 to 9 months of age if your child would like something to drink during meals,” Dr. Cyr says.
While many parents think fruit juices are healthy, they are not a good substitute for fresh fruits, and they are loaded with extra sugar and calories. Dr. Cyr says most of the benefit of eating whole fruits comes from the fiber content, which helps promote intestinal health and makes you feel full. The process of making most juices eliminates the fiber content, so you are left with just sugar.
“The high sugar content in juice can be difficult for little ones to absorb in their intestines and can lead to acute or chronic diarrhea. Lots of sugar contact with teeth can also significantly increase your risk of cavities,” Dr. Cyr says.
How to Shop for Juice for Baby
There are plenty of baby and infant juice products on the market. They are all marked with labels touting extra vitamins and minerals like “made with real fruits and vegetables” or “100% juice” or “no sugar added.”
“Even products labeled as “100% juice” or “no sugar added” still often have as much sugar as a can of soda. The reality is there isn’t a great nutritional reason to use any of these products for baby or infants.”
Dr. Cyr says if you are concerned about vitamin and mineral intake, talk with your doctor about your child’s requirements. A daily multivitamin is likely just as effective in providing extra nutrients if needed, without all the unwanted sugar.
If you’re concerned with products like Pedialyte, Dr. Cyr says don’t be. They are actually very different than most juice and sports drink products. The sugar content in Pedialyte is much less and has more salt and electrolytes than most other sports drinks and juices.
“This makes it an ideal drink to help with dehydration when your child has a stomach bug. I would recommend staying away from juice and sports drinks during these types of illness because their high sugar content can actually worsen diarrhea.”
If you have specific questions about your child’s diet, contact your primary care provider.