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Where We Stand: Fruit Juice for Children

a man and a boy a man and a boy

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends fruit juice not be given to infants under 12 months of age.

Why fruit juice is not good for babies under a year old

Fruit juice offers no nutritional benefit to infants in this age group. At the same time, it can increase risk of tooth decay and cause a preference for sweeter flavors instead of plain water.

What about fruit juice for toddlers and young children?

We also recommend limiting the amount of fruit juice for older children, favoring whole fruit instead.

  • For children older than 12 months: Fruit juice offers no nutritional benefits over whole fruit, but 4 ounces of juice per day given as part of a meal may be a reasonable option. Whole fruits also provide fiber and other nutrients. Children should not be given fruit juice at bedtime. Also, juice should not be given to children as a treatment of dehydration or management of diarrhea.

  • For children ages 1 to 6 years old: Limit fruit juice consumption to no more than 4 to 6 ounces (120 to 180 ml) each day.

More information

Last Updated
7/27/2022
Source
Adapted from Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age Five 7th edition (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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