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.
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