Baby juice question..

[coolbeans]

I have a 10 year old DD and a 3 month old DS, so I've done this before.. just need a refresher. When can I give my DS diluted juices?? We are going to the zoo this week and I'd love to give him something cool to drink?? (I have called the ped, by=ut they haven't called back yet...) thanks!

 

[lecach]

Sorry - I cant help you there. Our ped told us there is absolutely no reason to give our DS juice. That as long as he gets fruit he gets what he needs. And that juice can do more harm than good. So DS has never had any and he's 18 months old. But every ped is different. So hopefully yours will call you back soon.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Until 6 months old, a child should be breastfed exclusively...not sure about formula fed babies. I don't think I gave them any juice (well-diluted) until after a year old. They're 17, 15, and 13 now, so I can't remember exactly.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have a 10 year old DD and a 3 month old DS, so I've done this before.. just need a refresher. When can I give my DS diluted juices?? We are going to the zoo this week and I'd love to give him something cool to drink?? (I have called the ped, by=ut they haven't called back yet...) thanks!

I always waited tll 6 months+.

I personally would go with a little water if you want to give him something cool.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

While I think 3 months is too young for diluted juice..

my understanding of food introduction is that rice woudl be first as it is easiest on the tummy and then a fruit. I did think fruits were not until 6 months...but I have see some ped's allow it between 4 and 6 months if baby was already started on something else.

But the memory is rusty.

If you are concerned about heat (and baby is FF) then plain water is sufficient. If baby is BF then you do not supplement with anything at all as BF is sufficient to keep them well hydrated. (Don't recall the specs--but water can mess with their feedings--but it has been a while and I don't remember how).

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

http://www.fpnotebook.com/PED68.htm

Recommendation on this website is over 4 months before introducing juice.

Birth to 6 months
Avoid honey until over 1 year of age
Risk of neonatal Botulism
Avoid water supplementation
Risk of Hyponatremia
Avoid semi-solid food until age 4-6 months
Infants do not accept semi-solid food
Tongues protrude when spoon in mouth
Unable to transfer food to back of mouth
Risk of Choking


Age 4 to 6 months
Iron-fortified infant cereal (4-8 Tablespoons per day)
Source of Iron and B Vitamins
Begin with rice
Avoid other grains until older than 6 months
Barley
Oats
Wheat
Unsweetened fruit juices (2-4 ounces per day)
Source of Vitamin C
Plain Vitamin C fortified juice
Dilute juice with water 1:1
Avoid other juices until older than 6 months
Orange
Pineapple
Grapefruit
Tomato
Infant able to transfer semisolid food to swallow


Older than 6 months
See Solid Food Introduction in Infants
Fluoride Supplementation if indicated
Water intake may begin
Confirm that fluoride concentration not too high
Initiate dental care
Wipe teeth and baby's gums with soft damp cloth

Interesting the response from a juice company:
http://www.juicyjuice.com/expert/ind_questions.aspx?qa=B81B707C-9C5B-47A4-85BC-3D03CA718F60

What Age do You Recommend Introducing Juice to My Child?

What is the right age to introduce juice to an infant? And what amount of juice would you recommend starting out with? Also, in a 24-hour period, how much is too much juice?

You should not introduce juice to infants before six months of age, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is recommended that you introduce 100% juice after the introduction of solids.

 

[lil mermaid]

A 3 month old baby does not need anything besides breastmilk or formula.....

 

[YourMajesty]

Most peds allow juice at six months but only a small amout(2-3oz). A couple of ounces of cold water is usually fine at 3 months...especially if it is really hot. Let us know what they say...many different opinions out there. The AAP has really gone away from recommending juice and when babies and toddlers get it...it should be a small amount.

 

[ceiligh1]

You didnt say if your baby is on formula or not, mine is so keep that in mind with my answer. I asked our pedi. if we could give him water when it was hot, she said there is no reason to, if he is thirsty just give him formula as he could use the calories. (he is in the 75% so its not as if he is underweight) So when he is thirsty we give him formula, we never warm up the formula as he doesnt care if it is warm or not.

HOwever we did start to give him some apple juice ocasionally once we started rice cereal at 6 months as he had a little trouble in the bathroom department. The apple juice kept things going. Usually I would just substitute the apple juice for water in the formula and he loved it. THis was on the pedi. advise.

Every baby and baby doctor is different so I would call yours to see what they say. I know a friend of mine has always given her son straigt water as well as breast milk. So every family is different.

 

[Tracey1974]

I always waited tll 6 months+.

I personally would go with a little water if you want to give him something cool.

I waited until DS was 6 months and then it was only 2 ounces maybe 3x week. Now he is almost 1 and gets about 2 ounces juice, 2 ounces water once a day. I'd go with water or formula/breastmilk at that age.

Have fun!

 

[Beth76]

If you asked my pediatrician she would say no juice--even for my 5-year-old. She's very anti-juice and really, I'm no big fan. We rarely get juice here. And my almost-two-year-old still drinks only water and milk (he doesn't like anything else). So, I would say no to juice for 3-month-old especially since he's not eating any solids. I would stick to formula or breast milk or possibly water if you really want something cold.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I also wanted to add... I still cant give my 21mo diluted juice. The girl will get the worst diaper rash in a matter of hours.

I have had luck with the gerber fruit splashers.

 

[disneysteve]

I don't do infant care anymore, but I would still advise nothing but breast milk or formula until at least 4 months and preferably 6 months. You should not give a 3 month old water. Formula or breast milk will prevent dehydration just fine.

 

[coolbeans]

ped. finally called me back. You are all right, no juice till at least 6 months! Water is fine, and she even said a little pedialite would be okay.!! Thanks for all the replies! I think I will stick with cool formula or a little water.