Juice and water

So I've been told that babies from 6 months on are "supposed" to drink a bit of juice each day. Well, I mix mine with water (or try just water) but they won't drink it. I've tried it in sippies, bottles, room temp., etc. I can't remember when Karis started drinking from a sippy, but what do they really need at 6 and a half months as far as extra fluid? My girls get solids once a day...some cereal and veggies. That's when I try offering juice or water.

 

My Dr. has always said that juice is not necessary so I still have never given it to my boys. I think I began to give them water from a sippy during meals around 7 months. At that time, it was basically just to practice with the sippy but around 9 months, they loved drinking out of them.

 

We don't do juice with any of the kids...
As far as the water-my girls have just now really started to drink the water instead of spitting it out. They don't really need it at 6 months--the sippies are just practice for later.

 

I don't think that kids that age "need" juice in a "they will cease to exist without it" sort of way. It's optional, they can have up to 4 oz. a day. If they don't drink it that's fine. For 6 month old babies they need to get roughly 32-36 oz of formula a day. As long as they are gaining well you can try giving them water, but don't be too concerned if they don't like it.

 

I just give them sippy's with water when we do solids. I don't plan on doing juice for awhile - it's just sugar in my opinion. They don't "drink" a lot of water, just a few sips, most of it ends up on their bibs and outfits!

I think the same goes as when they were little - as long as they are peeing and pooping, you're good.

Erica.

 

Need to do juice at that age? Who said that? Juice is just sugar for kids. They don't need it. Water is so much better IF you introduce something other than your milk.

 

Who told you that babies are supposed to drink juice? :blink: I'm not planning to give mine any juice (except under special circumstances - special treat, need to get fluids in them when sick, etc). I haven't started offering water in sippies yet (because I keep forgetting about it - doh, twin mom brain! ), but I know that's ok too. Last time Early Intervention came, they asked if we were doing sippies yet, I said no, and they were totally ok with it. It's just practice.

So don't sweat it!

 

QUOTE(seamusnicholas @ Nov 24 2007, 04:52 PM) [snapback]507324[/snapback]
My Dr. has always said that juice is not necessary so I still have never given it to my boys. I think I began to give them water from a sippy during meals around 7 months. At that time, it was basically just to practice with the sippy but around 9 months, they loved drinking out of them.


I agree with this. As long as they are getting the required formula amount, dont' worry too much about their water intake, formula does contain water. Also, be careful with the juice, they may take a liking and not want to drink any water. I know I would choose anything over water.

 

Thanks, I was thinking it really wasn't that big of a deal, but those WIC people are the culprits. <_< I didn't know any better with Karis and gave her watered down juice and now she doesn't drink plain water all that often. I've mostly just tried water so far with the girls, but I get juice free from WIC, so I thought maybe I should use it? Guess I don't need to get it at all though.

 

Our Pedi said the same thing that juice has no nutritional value just give water. He also said that many parents think juice is good because it's fruit juice even juicy juice has lots of sugar I asked because I said WIC is giving us juice so I guess I am supposed to give it to them. We had lots of juice (still do) from WIC also but DH, I or my SD will occasionally pop open a can and drink it. My boys will be 2 next month and never drink juice they call their water juice. They have also been to the dentist the dentist said that is the best thing you could do is to not give juice. I'm sure when they get older they will eventually have juice but so far so good...if you never give it they will never know the difference.

 

we've been giving water for awhile, since around 6 months. We have juice, but only give it when Becca is having trouble pooping and then it's very diluted. she doesn't like it and i'm not pushing it.

However both kids LOVE water and Jake loves it cold (i think because he is teething).

So everyone else gave you the low down....water in sippies for practice...but don't go crazy and also i think you need to make sure they don't 'fill up' on water since they can get the fluid they need from bm or formula.

Miriam

 

WIC, bless their little hearts, are trying to do good but babies really don't need juice unless they are constipated.

 

QUOTE(Her Royal Jennyness @ Nov 25 2007, 12:31 AM) [snapback]507652[/snapback]
WIC, bless their little hearts, are trying to do good but babies really don't need juice unless they are constipated.


My dr just told me at their 15 month app to save it for those times!

 

My pedi said that juice should wait. We didn't start it til about 8 months. As far as water is concerned, he told me (and my oldest's pedi did also) that milk, formula has plenty of water in it. None of my children ever cared for water and still don't. But they do drink a lot of milk and consumed about 32 oz of formula a day when they were 6 months old. I wouldn't worry about it. :hug99: You are doing a great job. :Clap: