No fruit juice in the first 12 months
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise no fruit juice for babies under 12 months. At this age, juice offers no nutritional benefit. On the other hand, it can raise the risk of tooth decay and build a liking for sweet tastes. In the UK, the NHS says babies this age do not need fruit juice. If you do give it, the NHS suggests diluting 1 part juice with 10 parts water and offering it only at mealtimes.
After age 1: a little, with meals
Fruit juice is still not a necessary drink after age 1. For ages 1 to 3, the AAP gives a limit of 120 ml of 100 percent fruit juice a day. Offer juice with a meal. Do not give juice at bedtime. Do not use juice to treat diarrhea or fluid loss.
Why whole fruit is better
Whole fruit gives fiber that juice does not have. Juice is very sweet, and once a child is used to it, limiting it can get harder. Children who meet sweet drinks early can develop a strong liking for that taste. This can make water and plain milk harder to accept. So it is better to serve fruit on the plate, not in the cup.
Sugary and sweetened drinks
Sodas, fruit-flavored drinks, sweetened flavored water, sports drinks and flavored milks contain added sugar. The CDC advises no added sugar for children under 2. The AAP also advises avoiding drinks with stevia or artificial sweeteners. Their effects on children are not well understood. According to the NHS, fizzy drinks are acidic and can damage tooth enamel.
Tea, coffee and herbal drinks
Tea and coffee are not suitable for babies and young children. The CDC advises children under 2 to avoid caffeinated drinks. No safe caffeine limit has been set for young children. According to the AAP, caffeine raises the risk of poor sleep and irritability in young children. According to the NHS, ready-made baby drinks and herbal drinks usually contain sugar and are not recommended.
Put nothing but breast milk, formula or water in a bottle or trainer cup. Sucking a sweet drink from a bottle for a long time causes tooth decay. From 6 months, you can offer a few sips of water from a cup with meals. Ask your child's doctor if you have questions about drinks.