When to Start on Juice...

If you can do it, just stick to water in the cup. There's really no nutritional need for juice and even if it is 100% fruit juice, it is basically simple sugars anyway (most of the nutritional value is absent).

We've only ever done prune juice when he was constipated and he doesn't know that he's missing out on anything.

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We used juice to introduce the sippy cup. Watered down 100% juice was what was advised by my ped. but then there was no Graduates Juice. Never put juice into a bottle, always the cup. There is no real nurtritional value to drinking juice at this age, so therefore it is a great way to introduce and understand the use of the cup. Formula should still be the #1 for nutrition. :) Best of luck!

I think it is fine to start a sippie. I would recommend buying one of each of a couple of different kinds to see what kind your child likes. If he has trouble you can try a straw cup. My daughter preferred these in the beginning. She is 19 months now and out of personal choice I do not give her juice at all. She has milk with meals and water the rest of the time. She loves water and I don't like the sugar in juice so I figured I would keep her drinking the water and hopefully will keep up the good habits. But it is definately a personal choice!

Good luck to you!

J.,

Like the other posters said, it's pretty much a personal choice. But as long as he's sitting up and grabby and curious, I say why not give it a try? We tried the sippy at about 7 months as well. Usually only 100% juice and I water it down. When we first tried, I filled a small bottle AND a sippy at the same time. I let him suck a bit on the bottle, that way it wasn't totally out of the blue to stick the sippy spout in his mouth. He caught on right away that it contained liquid to drink. He still hasn't got the knack of tipping the cup, though. =) My Sam never drinks very much, and it's more of a new and different experience than anything to sustain him. But I try it every lunch and every dinner. Of course it's outstandingly fun to hold the sippy cup upside-down and shake drops all over the kitchen as well, so be preparred. =)

Hope this helps,
J.

I never gave my children juice. Water and milk, and to this day (age 5 & 7) they LOVE a huge cup of water. It's the irst thing they ask for when they're thirsty. Also, I usually only give milk at meals, as too much can prevent the apsorption of other vitamins. No need for juice - they can obtain that from all their fruits.

This, like most parenting decisions, is your choice. It's up to you whether you buy baby juice or not and whether or not you even dilute it. You really can do this at any time. Now would also certainly be a good time to start to introduce the cup. You may have to experiment on which ones to buy. Most people will tell you to start with the Nuby with the soft, nipple-like sip. My kids chewed on the cups too much for these to work for me & I found that they leaked too much. Again, trial & error & personal choice.

Truthfully there is no rush to start juice, it's really jsut sugar, but most def do it in a cup, not a bottle, and buy 100 percent juice, they make baby juice and dilute it for as long as your child will let you. my kids no longer even drink juice, we eat plenty of fruit and they don't need the extra surgar.

Check with your pediatrician on this one. Mine did not recommend juice until after a year because it was just empty calories. Even when it was ok, it was only 4oz of half juice/half water. At this juncture, my 22 month old has juice on occasion, but never more than 4oz. Everything else is milk or water.

As far as the sippy cup, you can try it, but if your baby isn't ready, it won't work. We tried, and still use, all different types of cups. My son doesn't seem to have a preference, and they all leak.

You really don't have to ever give a child juice. Fresh fruits are healthier than juices. Just cut them up in small pieces for your 7 month old and try them one at a time (in case of an allergy). If you really want to try something, maybe give your child some water with a slice of fruit in it for flavor.

We used Juicy Juice. If you buy it in the can, it's MUCH cheaper. My oldest is 3 and we still water his juice down.

I had started my son on juicy juice but it was too acidic at this time for him and gave him bad diaper rashes. Stay with the gerber baby juices for now. Most stuff I read shows they should only have 4 oz of juice a day. I agree they shouldn't have too much. I still water it down some. It helps it last longer and makes better for baby not getting diaper rashes. However my doctor told me if they are 7mo then they can have 8oz of juice a day.. and at 8mo, 9oz a day... Just becareful they are still drinking formula for now too.. My sister gave her kids too much juice constantly.. She didn't just give at meals.. they literrally just walked around with a bottle of juice all the time and now their teeth are rotted...It is important to stick with 100% juice.. Otherwise you are filling your baby with unnessary sugars. I say if he takes it from a sippy, use the sippy- there is no reason to go backwards.. My son is still using bottle but I should be switching soon