When is it ok to give my baby juice?

Six months: Six months is when juice and water are generally started for infants. However, juice (which is mostly sugar and water) is not a necessary part of infant nutrition and most pediatricians (and dentists) would be quite fine with never giving it to infants.

Only if needed: Juice can be given after age 6 months, if recommended by a doctor to help with some problem. For example, apple juice can help relieve constipation. Otherwise, normal healthy babies do not need juice. They can eat fruit, prepared appropriately for the age of the baby, once they are 6 months old.

After eating fruit: If your child has eaten the fruit then it is okay to drink the juice. Just remember that juice is junk food for babies. Juice is high in sugar and should be limited to 4 ounces daily.

Rarely if ever: I am not a big fan of giving any juice to babies or children since most juices are just sugar and water. Babies should drink breast milk/formula until 6 months, then water can be added. I also discourage juice since once juice is given, some babies won't like their breast milk/formula/water as much. If you are going to give juice, i definitely recommend diluting it as much as possible.

No: Juice is the useless part of fruit. If it's homemade juice, you'd be better off dumping the juice and giving the baby pulp, that's where all the good stuff is.

No: Most healthy babies do not need juice. Occasionally pediatricians utilize juice as a laxative for babies with constipation. Most babies only need breast milk (ideally) or formula.

Yes: Yes, it's ok-- but it's not necessary, and it's really not a good idea. They get used to "the sweet stuff." water and formula (or milk when older) is all babies need to drink.

No: Normal healthy babies do not need fruit juice nor vegetable juice. They drink breastmilk or formula; plus some solid foods after age 6 months. Fruits that are not sour can be mashed up or pureed and given. Vegetables can be cooked first and then mashed up or pureed. However, juice is sometimes given to treat constipation (such as 4 ounces of apple or prune juice each day for a few days).

No: Juice is garbage. It's the fruit with most of the fiber and vitamins removed and the sugar left behind. Juice makes kids fat, creates a habit of always looking for something sweet when hungry or thirsty, and is a great way to establish a lousy diet at a young age. The people who believe juice is good nutrition are usually people trying to sell you juice.