juice - what's the big deal?

Due to DS being sick and the doctor telling me to give him extra water, I started spiking it with a little juice - he normally won't drink more than .5 to 1 ounce of plain water. I got some Earths Best baby apple and pear juice and mixed in an ounce of juice with like 3-4 ounces of water. It's very diluted. I know so many moms are vehemently against juice AT ALL, even a splash - but I don't see anything wrong with what I'm doing. Just curious as to what all of you do?

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

wsj had a big article on the benefits of juice and how for years it was frowned upon. i give my daughter watered down juice thats organic and it helps with hydrating and going to the bathroom. i dont see anything wrong with it.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I have been giving Julia juice and water since she was 9 months old, my dr said it was fine.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I have been giving my son juice w/ water since he was under a year. I also dont see a problem

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I don't give juice b/c both of my kids love to drink water and they eat a lot of fruit, so I didn't see the point of giving them more sugar in their diet. If they weren't so good about eating fruit or drinking water I'd give it.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I give my DD juice. I started when she was about 8 months old. I do water it down a lot though.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I give Roman watered down 100% juice all the time.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I just read in a baby mag-

this is a quote from the article

"2-3 yr olds who drank 100 percent fruit juice (about 4.1 oz daily) were nearly three times less likely to be overweight or at risk for becoming overweight than kids who don't drink juice".

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I give juice to both my kids. When its in a cup, it's watered down a lot! My older son now gets a juice box 3x a week for his nursery school snack, so its not watered down. And I always give them juice boxes when we are out, its just easier than lugging leaky sippy cups.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

DS is on the thinner side, so he's been getting full juice for years now. He's still on the thinner side, so it's a great way of getting calories into him, as well as vitamins.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I have been giving Jacob juice for all the same reasons that have been mentioned since he was 12 months old and only drinking whole milk...

I have watered down his juice alot but since I have to send him to school with a lunch and no sippy cups allowed , I will be giving him juice boxes...

Motts now makes a juicebox called Motts for Tots that is 60% purified water 40% juice... I have tasted it and it is definately watered down..

I don't have a problem with it...

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I don't see a big deal. I've been giving Jared watered down juice for a while now.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I don't see a problem with it....Kerri gets watered down juice

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

Anthony gets watered down juice as well. I cant see how a little juice in water is harmful?

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I think it's fine in moderation. But here's the list of the potential hazards of too much juice from kellymom:

Drinking too much juice can lead to malnutrition or anemia, as a child is missing out on other necessary nutrients, including proteins and complex carbohydrates.

Drinking a lot of juice can damage the enamel of the teeth, leading to tooth decay. This is particularly a problem when the juice is offered in a bottle, rather than a cup.

Drinking a lot of juice, especially apple juice, may cause loose bowel movements and constant diarrhea.

Consumption of greater than 12 fl oz/day of fruit juice by young children has been associated with short stature and obesity (see studies by Dennison et al); other studies did not observe this association (see studies by Skinner et al).

Consumption of more than 12 fl oz/day of fruit juice has also been associated with nonorganic failure to thrive (Smith et al, 1994).

Fruit juices that contain sorbitol or high levels of fructose as sweeteners may cause restlessness, gas and stomach distress in infants (Cole et al, 1999).

The sweeteners may cause problems in babies because young children often have difficulty breaking down carbohydrates, including these sugars.

Unpasteurized juice may contain harmful bacteria, such as E-coli and Salmonella.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

My Dd doesn't like juice but I'd see nothing wrong with giving her a little daily, especially if it's calcium fortified.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I don't see the big deal with juice either. I water it down a lot though.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

I give DS juice, very, very diluted and not everyday.
He sometimes drinks just water too.
The ped. said it was ok, but, to just be a little careful because it's empty calories.
I honestly don't see anything wrong with it as long as it is 100% and watered down.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

My boys didn't have juice until they were over 2, and even now it's diluted and only on occasion. I wanted them to develop a love for milk and water first, which they have.

Although this is what I did, I in no way have an opinion as to what others do. Every mom makes the best decisions for her child.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

In the beginning & under normal circumstances , it's because every ounce of fluid that they drink is supposed to be packed with nutrients (which is also why they say not to give water). Obviously, your doctor's advice supercedes everyone else's opinion.

My kids are milk, water & juice drinkers. I offer water first, then milk, then juice. If they ask for juice they get it.

But if it was my choice, I don't really want my son or daughter having 30 grams of sugar in 1 serving of liquid.

To each his own (or her own).

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

Re: juice - what's the big deal?

Dd has been having juice since she was 5 mths or so on and off.

I give her juice boxes when we go out since it is easier than a sippy cup. I buy her apple and eve or juicy juice.

Re: juice - what's the big deal?