Toddlers with Juice?

I have been giving my daughter diluted juice since about 9-10 months old. She loves veggies and fruits so I didn't really have any problem mixing it up.

I've heard it said that everyone, even adults, should really avoid drinking juice and just eat fresh fruits and veggies as often as possible. I give my 11 month old baby juice maybe a couple times a month. My children have all LOVED drinking iced tea. I make mine slightly sweetened decaf, so that's an option if you're looking to expand their liquid horizons. :)

My son is 21 months old, and he only gets juice once a day, first thing in the morning. Then the rest of the day we only offer him milk. At first he kept trying for juice, but we would say "No...milk." Now he really likes the milk. He has it with every meal and in between. Just before bed, he has a whole cup of milk. I think milk just takes more time to really develop a taste for. They all like juice because it's sweet. I guess I have the same question as you: How much juice is too much? But I feel the same, milk & water are best. Doctors say so too. And like you say, they get nutrients from actual fruit and vegetables. Good luck.

Juice isn't bad...if you monitor it and give it in small amounts, and it adds to the child getting more fruit servings. We give it only at breakfast/AM, only 1 serving, and mix it with a little water. This works well!

Hello-

Our pediatrician gave us the advise to treat juice like a fruit serving-but only one serving per day. What we try to do is give our 15 mo milk at mealtimes, water during the rest of the day and if we decide to have juice, we give it to her at snack time. Since we cut back on the juice, she has increased her milk intake! Good luck!

as has been recommended by others, water the juice down.

Even WIC recommends cutting juice 50-50 with water and restricting it to only so many ounces -- even diluted -- per day. It's been a while since I read the guidelines, but I think they say "4oz" for infants 1-2 years. When we were in the midst of foster care adoption, we were pretty much expected to follow WIC guidelines. I was very happy to find that a good friend of ours who happens to be a pediatrician, advises her patients the same -- to cut juice by 50% and restrict it to no more than 4oz per day for age 1-2

I know that, plus banning candy and sugar-filled foods has kept our son (now 8 yrs) from liking overly sweet things. (At a party he'll want birthday cake, for example, but take only a few bites and leave the rest. Ask and he replies, "It was too sweet.")

To this day I often cut citrus juices with a little bit of water -- for both of us, actually.

My motto is Milk for Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner. Juice around 3:00 for mid day snack no more than 4-6 oz. and all is good. The more of a big deal you make the more it will be a big deal. I also believe if you say they CANT have something they will want it all the more. teach moderation and it's all good.Stay away from juice concentrates, or anything that is not 100% juice though. Hope this helps.

I held off with the juice as well. My thoughts are that the fruit and vegetables, themselves, are better than juice. If your daughter will eat them and drink water and milk you should stick with it. It does get harder to hold to when they begin playing with other kids and going to birthday parties. No need to be rigid, but keep it up when you can!

I am a mother of a 9 yr old son. In his early years I give him a lot of juice because he liked it. Never thinking it would do any harm until our first dentist visit. The sugar from the juice will give her cavities and trust me that's the last thing you want for your baby. You might want to try buying some crystal light to go packets they are SUGAR FREE. You just put it in your bottled water shake and go. This is a much better alternative than fruit juices. You try it first if you like it so will she.

One neat option is a line of juice's that are approved by the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)by Healthy Balance. I have found the JDRF line at many different groceries (they also make a non-JDRF line as well). 75% less sugar. Their apple is 6 carbs with 6 grams of sugar. We also diluted and if you do 50/50 - that's 3 grams of sugar in a serving. Our son loves the brand and they make a lot of varieties all about the same in sugars. You can read more at www.healthybalance.com.
When there were times that our jucie was not available, we just significantly watered down the juice that was available so it was not much more than flavored water.

I have a 4 year old and an 18 month old. I still limit my 4 year olds juice intake. He actually prefers water or milk. Even when we go to a restaurant.
When I do give either of them juice it is no more than 4 ounzes in any one day. I also use only 100% juice. I do mix it half with water too. I prefer to give the juice/water mixture in the morning to early afternoon hours.
I too think I may be a little hard on the juice thing sometimes. But, I also see too many young kids drinking juice boxes or sippy cups full of juice. I am also amazed to see parents giving their toddler and preschool aged children pop/soda!
I believe that if kids are provided fruits and vegetables then their nutritional needs should be met. A little juice /water mixture could be a fun treat or for special occasions.

We did something similar, and our kids still love water and milk! Sure, they ask for juice, but don't throw a fit when we firmly say, "Water." I only offer my kids juice at some snack times, never during meals unless we are eating out. It remains special.

KIDS definetly DONT need juice
especially if they're eating fruits - REMEMBER the amount of fruit in a glass of juice is so much more then in a single piece of fruit!

**********DID YOU KNOW**********************
There is enough sugar in a 1/4 cup of orange juice to suppress a childs immune system by 50% for up to 5 hours! and people think when kids go to Birthday party's and end up sick it's because they were around so many other kids! - It's more then likey the sugar and other junk they eat! But to be on the practicle side, if your child does have juice just make sure its watered down by at least 70% - they won't even know especially if they get used to it that way!
Sorry about all the capitals - but wanted to get your attention!
Hope this is of some help! Cheers, L.

A bit about me : I'm a mother of 2 Beautiful kids 4yrs & 2yrs old from Minnesota... but now live in Perth - Western Australia - I'm constantly studying anything to do with child & adult nutrition - based mainly on traditional methods! would love to make a career of it some day!

If you're concerned about juice consumption just mix it with half water. I did this with all my babies (younger than yours)and they never knew the difference. The only time they realize this isn't "the norm" is when someone else gives them juice!

SAHM of seven

Hi M.:
I was worried about my son drinking too much juice with all the sugars that are in them. My son would not drink the juice if I added more than 1/4 water. He would give it back to me and say more juice.
I spent an hour looking at all the labels and found that V8 Fusion has no added sugars or corn syrup. It is a blend of fruits and vegetables and has all natural sweeteners no added sugars. The extra bonus is that it provides him with his daily nutritional needs for vegetables and fruits. I no longer feel like a bad mom when I can't get him to eat any vegetables during the day because I know he gets them from the juice. I hope that helps a little. Good luck.

my daughter is 4 and I still very rarely, not even once a day give her 100% juice and it always after she has had at least a glass of milk if not more and never with a meal. She does not mind. We have always done it that way. I also used to mix it with water - half and half. now I buy light. I think it is okay once in a while but like my daughter would eat every fruit available all day long and eats all vegetables and has done that since she has been small so there was not any reason to get juice into her same as you.

Hope this helps
SHell

We give our daughter one small cup of 1/2 juice, 1/2 water a day. She knows she gets it after nap, and that's it. We started it when she was about 1 because she was having poop issues and it helps keep her regular. We only give 100% juice.

M.,

Even when we did start giving our 4 1/2yr old son juice, it was always mixed with 1/2 water. We actually kept doing this up until about 5 months ago and he never knew the difference. This way he was getting something different than milk and water, but not all the sugar....I don't remember with our daughter since she is 10 1/2yrs old.... Juicy Juice is a good juice, but also a little more than some. We ususally bought generic, as we do alot of stuff to save money.

Hey M.,
Your'e not alone on this one. Still to this day give my kids (3 yrs and 18 mo) watered down juice, 75% h2o and 25 % juice. I only give them organic REAL juice as well...we also juice our own and they help out with the process and they LOVE IT, then I will let them drink it straight w/o watering it down. Juicing is great way to sneak in some fresh veggies too, for the pickey eater...cucumber adds a nice flavor especailly come Summer...yummmmm
Happy juicing to you and your daughter!
http://earthmamma333.blogspot.com/ (my blog)
check it out
Peace, M.

we always gave our son water with a splash of 100% fruit juice - more for a change of flavor and because we didn't think he really *needed* juice.

he's now almost 4.5 & only within the past year or so found out what "real" juice tasted like (juice that wasn't watered down). we limit how much he drinks (one glass per day), and are really careful to only buy 100% juice rather than juice drinks or whatever. the rest of the day it's milk or water - he doesn't feel like he's missing out, it's just the routine he's used to.

i think it's an individual choice - if you want to give your daughter juice regularly, go for it. if you don't or if it's just a special treat every once in awhile, that's fine too!

good luck!

Hi M.,
Our daughter is now just over 2 and 1/2 and has really just been drinking juice for a few months.. We just gave her water and milk up until awhile ago and she LOVES both. You're right, they get plenty of vitamins from fruits and veggies(my little one is not good on the veggies yet;-)) She does like cucumbers and carrots dipped in ranch though! Anyway, I always drink water from a big water bottle and recently got her her own mini water bottle like Mama's and she loves it! When she does have juice, it's usually white grape juice watered down because it's too sweet... Their is just so much extra sugar in juice so if you can swing it, stick with the water and milk:-) Good luck!

Melissa

A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
32 year old happily married mother to two beautiful kids. My daughter is 2 and 1/2 and my son is 3 months.

I have a 5 years, 2 1/2 years, and 11 month old and we never give juice. Most pediatricians do not recommend juice at all. Propel is a great product. There is little to no sugar and no aspartame.

I banned it too, but was literally harassed about it by grandparents and my husband who don't know what the recent findings are and won't listen to the logical reasons behind the ban. I have 2 boys (3 1/2 and 2). I probably started juice around 18 mo. way watered down just to shut up everyone harassing me. My kids still get 100% juice watered down about 1/3 water only once a day at snack time. They know not to even ask for a seconds or it at any other time. If it were up to me I would have banned it longer and waited to introduce it when they had constipation problems which they now do so I don't mind giving it to them once a day. I also banned chocolate or flavored milk. My 3 1/2 year old has tasted it on occasion at Grandma's but that's about it. I'd stick to your guns as long as you can! :)

I am a pediatrician and a mother of 4, and I would ask you "why do you want to give your daughter juice in the first place"? It is usually made from sugar, water and fruit concentrates, though every juice is different and obviously some are better than others. If your daughter does well eating fruits and veggies, she is meeting those nutritional needs far better than with juice. Kids really don't NEED juice, and mine don't care for it, which is fine with me. They drink milk with meals and water in between (they are 5, 6, 7, and 8) which we are very happy with!

My oldest is 4 years old and has very rarely had juice. We don't keep it in the house, but allow her to have it at other people's homes (sometimes) and occasionally as a "treat". We feel that juice is just sugar and not desirable in a kid's diet. In our house we drink water, water, water, and a bit of milk. We have had no problem keeping juice away from our kids.

My oldest is 2 1/2 and we still don't do much juice. He has some at daycare, not every day, but sometimes and when they do get juice from daycare, it's very watered down. We don't usually any at home, unless it's a treat and even then it's 100% juice, not the junk that's high in sugar.

If it's not in a juice box, still water it down, if you decide to give your daugher any.

I think a little every day or every other day is OK, but it will affect her poops...so if they start to get too "loose" persey, ease up on the juice. But it's definately a good thing if she's consipated. My son usually has apple or one of the grape juices.

My kids are 2 and 6 and they only get juice at grandma/grandpa's house and birthday parties. Since juice's nutritianal content is so minimal and there is so much sugar, perservatives and dyes in it we just don't buy it. Since I don't buy it they don't ask for it.

M.,

We didn't give our daughter juice until around 18 mos. She's 22 mos. now and we only give it to her when we are not at home (e.g., at a party or a restaurant). We don't keep it in the house because we know she'd beg for it all the time. She eats well and drinks lots of milk and water, so we want to keep it that way!

Best of luck to you!

L.

M.,

My kids are 7,5,3, and almost 1 and none of them have juice on a regular basis because they would still quickly turn up their noses to water and milk.

Sure, we have it as a special treat sometimes. If they are offered it by someone else they know they can always accept. We just generally don't keep it in the house. I buy a carton of 100% juice maybe once every month or two.

S.

I think you could safely ease up on your ban. However, my daughter's doctor told me no more than 4 ounces of juice per day. So I don't think it really matters if your daughter drinks juice or just eats fruit. My daughter doesn't like juice, and that's fine. They don't need juice.

My daughter had constipation issues, so we had to start her on juice sooner than I wanted to! So, what I do, is I started out by filling a sippy cup 3/4 with water and then just about 1/4 of juice. Eventually I worked her up to 1/2 and 1/2, which is where we are now. (she is 26 months now) I felt better about it because on days where she "demands" juice over milk, i'm still giving her only really one serving of juice! (I really don't want drinking milk to be a battle!) I also tried only giving it to her with her afternoon snack. HOpe that helps!

No juice here! I have a 19 mo old and one who's almost 4. I agree with most--it's just about all sugar. If we have given it, it's been 1/2 water 1/2 juice. Sounds like yours is a good eater--so I think you're doing the right thing!

My daughter is 4 and we still don't give her juice unless it is a special time. Juice is a filler and bad for their teeth. I am going to stay away from it as long as I can.

Our girls are 3 and 5 and they rarely get juice. When they were toddlers we mixed it about half and half with water and they were fine with that. It's more of a special treat at our house.

I would not give her juice, your doing it the right way. Juice contains lots of sugar, It might be natural sugar but it is still sugar.

Have you tried getting fresh non organic fruit and making it yourself.
A blender is a Moms dream tool...like a Dad with his elec screw driver and all its attachments.

Also you can use fruit on top or and in ceral.

Applesauce homemade with a cheese melter that came with my crockpot is a wonder for homemade apple sauce.
I add cinnamin or other spices for flavor with a little bit of brown sugar or butter if needed or desired.

Good in desserts instead of sugar,good in oatmeal,good over meat when cooked and ready to serve or by its self.

Also maybe you can mash bananas, berries,cherries etc and add to ceral or blend in milk or add to water for a healthy treat.

D.

Oh be careful you do not get the child to disslike anything by using it to much or to little.

I give juice at breakfast a few days a week. Either orange or apple. I've thought about adding grape, but haven't bought any yet. Usually they get orange.

My 3 year old will drink 1/2 cup (about 3 oz.) and my 16 month old will drink maybe an oz. Other than that, they get milk at lunch and dinner and water in between. I buy the juice with calcium added.

My 16 month old likes the idea of juice, he asks for it, but generally doesn't drink much, so I often just give him milk when my 3 year old gets juice.

I give 100% juice rather than watered down, since I am considering it as part of their meal. I have never given juice at any other time of the day, watered down or not.

Good luck! It sounds like you are doing a great job with nutrition and your daughter.
J.

My 9,5,and 2 year old have never had straight juice (at least not at my house). They've always had 100% juice mixed with water. We also talk about the food choices we make and why like another responder does. Our kids are really good about making healthy choices. They know that it is better to eat "real" food as opposed to food packed with chemical replacements.

M.,
We have always tried to limit to one glass a day - usually bfast or snack time. I'm a big fan of homemade "YoJ", too. You just mix equal parts 100% juice and yogurt - I prefer the stoneyfield lowfat vanilla. (Plain doesn't taste too good...) Banilla also works well. Juices like apple, cran apple, and other fruit mixtures work great. Grape and Orange don't. You can play with the amounts to adjust to your liking. Its very healthy.

M., my son will be 2 in May and he still does not drink juice. We took him to a dentist about 6mo ago for a chipped tooth because he fell and the dentist said the longer we keep him from juice the better. All Noah gets is milk and water like your daughter and I have so many people who have told me how good it is that he doesn't drink juice yet...I say keep up the good work!

Why bother. Juice is mostly sugar anyway. Our Dr. says there is no need for it in the diet. We rarely give juice to our kids (4 and 2). Only on special occasions (i.e. birthday parties, holidays) when juice boxes are plentiful. Good luck!

Just remember she can not have more than what you give her. As long as you don't make it a big deal, she won't think anything of it. My daughter grew up without having it all the time and still doesn't think she needs it and she is 13. She will have a small glass in the morning with breakfast.

I would continue your juice ban for aslong as possible that was very smart of you to do in the first place.

You could give her diluted juice once a day.

I to know to many kids who live off of juice and fill up on it and eat nothing.

Google on "What's wrong with fruit juice?" and you will see a lot of information, including scientific studies.

My kids are 13 and 20 and have never had juice as a regular drink (sometimes we have had it on special occasions). Why? Because pediatricians and nutrition experts have recommended against it. Apparently juice is higher in sugar that soda so it suppresses their appetite for healthy foods! It is also moldy and can cause everything from rashes to sinus infections to chronic sore throats. Daily juice intake replacing water definitively causes tooth decay (ask your dentist).

Why bother introducing something that is the equivalent of soda? Let her have it as a treat on special occasions and at the homes of her friends.

I don't remember for sure when we started giving my daughter watered-down juice, but I'm thinking she was a little older than that. It worked great for us, since at 6 she still prefers water over anything else, and milk is her second choice! I am so happy to think since she never got used to sweet drinks she'll never have the pop addiction I have to struggle with!

M.,

I say stay away from juice as long as possible. I really don't think juice in moderation is a big deal at all (my son drinks juice--I just try to make a conscious effort to limit it), but it really has no health benefits and the extra sugar is just something they don't need. It is hard as some people think it is a silly thing to be a stickler on, but why expose her to something that she doesn't need when the alternatives are healthy?? She'll get a taste of it someday--no rush!
When my son first starting drinking juice it is all he wanted to have. We ended up having to make 'rules' like "milk for meals", or I have to fill a small cup sometime in the morning and tell him it is all the juice he gets for the day. If you stick to some type of moderation guideline that you set, it won't be a fight or an issue (very often at least).

My 2 1/2 year old has only had juice a handful of times (alway diluted with water). Otherwise he only drinks milk with meals and water throughout the day. My 14 month old has only had juice a couple of times when he was an infant for constipation. At that point it was only a tiny bit mixed with his formula. In my opinion they don't need all of the sugar so why give it.

I think that when you give your child juice is a personal decision, and if she's eating enough fruits then there's no worry of her getting the good stuff from it. I did want to tell you about an article I recently read (I believe it was Parent's magazine?)that was about the amount of milk children should drink. I was always under the impression that there could never be too much milk, but according to this article toddlers should not drink more than 10 oz of milk per day because after that the milk actually begins to inhibit the intake of iron and other nutrients into the system. I wouldn't go and take my word for it, after all this was an article in a maganize, but I think it warrents some further research if all you are giving your daughter is milk and water. I also read quite a while ago (in another parents magazine) that giving your toddler 100% real juice (I think it was 6-8 oz per day) wards off obesity and some other childhood concerns like diabetes. This could also be something you want to look into as you make your decision about whether to give her juice or not. Hope this helps!

When my kids were little we let them have one cup a day, usually some juice with breakfast. I put some juice in and then added water. They didn't know and didn't care what I was doing until they got older.

What they don't know won't hurt them. I don't buy juice, if it's in the house that's all they want. Your not hurting her by not giving her juice. I think your doing the right thing.

When my older son was born (now 10 1/2), his pediatrician told me not to give him anything but milk and water until he was over 2 years. I tried to introduce juice after age 2 and he CHOSE not to drink it, opting for milk or water. (Even watered down juice was too sweet for him.) He was 6+ years before he ever actually drank any juice. If your daughter is eating plenty of fruits and veggies, then I'd stick with milk and water for a bit longer. If you decide to give her juice, make sure to water it down first.

Children don't need juice as long as they are getting essential nutrients from their diet as it sounds like you child is.

My older children are ages two and four and they still do not drink juice as part of their regular diet. It's just a treat and even then they get it diluted in water. Children's palettes are not as de-sensitized as ours (if they haven't been allowed a poor diet) so they can enjoy watered down juice without knowing any difference. I would also recommend only 100% fruit juice (no added sugar).

:0)

Have a nice weekend!

I don't think it is a problem offering 100% juice once in awhile. My son typically prefers water or milk but at times really enjoys a little variety with a small glass of juice. We don't have it around the house very much but when we do I don't put strict limits on it, I just let him ask for it rather than me offering it. Now that he is 4 he often sees the brightly colored "fake" juices drinks at the store and often asks about buying them. I am very frank about telling him that they are simply overpriced sugar water that are packed full of nasty fake dyes to try to lure him into wanting them. I do the same thing with cereals aimed at kids. He has really come to understand and accept our family choices for healthy food. I think it is important for parents to talk out loud about food, nutrition, and making good choices. My mom did that with us and it worked.