As your little one grows, they encounter many new and exciting changes—some of which involve food. And while you may be tempted to introduce juice to your baby's diet, it isn't recommend. "While juice is something many children enjoy, pediatricians are often not enthusiastic about juice consumption," says Ashanti Woods, a pediatrician at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, Maryland. "Too much juice, too often, can lead to an array of health issues, including dental problems, obesity, and overall poor nutrition." These problems can make it more likely to develop chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, later on.
But when is juice appropriate? And, more important, how much juice should your child be consuming? Today, we're covering all your juice-related questions, from what age babies can start drinking juice, how to introduce juice, and everything in between. Parents spoke with Dr. Woods as well as Ayla Roberts, MSN, RN, a former pediatric registered nurse with over eight years of experience, and Emily Wisniewski, another pediatrician at Mercy Family Care Physicians, to answer all your questions about your little one and juice.
