Juice and flavored milks.. for babies and toddlers?

Question

I've read in alot of questions about parents giving their babies/toddlers juice and flavored milk. Juice even fruit juice contains a high amount of sugar that will rot your childs teeth even if they don't have any and even if it is watered down and the same for flavored milks. was just wondering about other parents views on juices and flavored milks for babies/toddlers as my 18month has never had either in his life and not planning on giving any until he is 5 and then only for treats once or twice a week... what do you think?

Answer 1

My son has had juice when he was constipated, the pedi said it's normal when travelling, the kids just want to hold it in for some reason! I don't see a valid reason why a kid needs juice other than that or why a kid needs flavored milk. I think if I gave my son chocolate milk, he would no longer want regular milk, so I don't give it to him at all!

Answer 2

I'm with you, i have a 1yo that loves water because that and milk is all he knows. However i have given him the occasional chocolate that i have had (Plain only) and i have given a sip here and there of fruit juice and of course he loves it.

I think it is OK to give a very small amount of fruit juice every now and then as in small quantities it is OK. I would just make sure that your child really likes water and will drink that always to be safe to give some fruit juices. I personally would not give flavoured milk unless it is a recommended baby milk, as it is not the sugar i would be concerned about the everything else that goes into it.

Your child's teeth will be safer if you give fruit juice in a cup not in a bottle and i am sure you are brushing your child's teeth daily now anyway, so i think you will be safer against teeth rot if you do those simple things. then you child can have some simple pleasures now rather than wait until he is 5.

I personally think 5 is really late for a child to experiencing those things i do believe it is important for your child to be introduced and taught self control he/she will be better of in the long run, the sooner the better. You dont have to go overboard.

Answer 3

I think you're taking the whole 'sugar rots teeth' thing a little far. Juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and (in the case of some orange juices) calcium. I always limited my son's juice intake to 4 to 6 oz. per day, because I didn't want him relying on the stuff for hydration. It was always 100% juice, with no added corn syrups or whatnot because I believe that if he's going to drink juice, it should be JUICE, not a juice-flavored drink. As for flavored milks, I have always considered them a treat. They do have a high sugar content; to alleviate this, I'll make my son chocolate milk at home with 'No Sugar Added' chocolate milk powder.

Some juices also serve a semi-medicinal purpose: if your child's a little constipated, some straight apple juice has a diarrhetic effect.

As for the teeth-rotting, if you teach your children good dental hygiene you can prevent that.

Why do you feel so strongly that severely limiting your child's sugar content is a good thing?

Answer 4

I gave my kids juice once a day when they were toddlers. They got flavored milk occasionally as a treat. My son is now 8 and has only had one small cavity in his life.
My daughter on the other hand has 3 and she is 5 yrs old.
Just because they drink juice don't mean it will rott their teeth.My daughters cavities are in her far back molars. I think she got those from fruit snacks and candy when she was a little older.
Some of the flavored milk has added vitamins and minerals that are good for toddlers.
If you are worried about the sugar try using sugar free flavorings for milk.

Answer 5

I have a 2 1/2yr. old. Since he has been 5 mos., he's had watered down juice once a day & his teeth aren't rotten. I brush his teeth with infant toothpaste twice a day. Babies need the extra vitamin c & the juice keeps them regular. My son gets constipated without juice. Too much milk isn't good for them either. I'm assuming that you are giving your child water as well? Everyone has their own parenting methods. Do what you want to do, but it kind of sounds to me like your over doing it a little)

Answer 6

i give my 15 month old juice, but it's 100% juice and we water it down. i do not give him flavored milk because regular is just fine and i don't want him to get into the habit of "having to have" flavored milk. most the time we give him this juices called Cal-C. I think it's only sold around my area because it's made in a neighboring town. Anyway, it's made with skim milk and juice and has twice the amount of absorbable calcium as regular milk.

Answer 7

Well that is totally up to you... You are the mom! I do know that WIC(Women infantsChildren) Program will give you checks for juice once your child is ove age to consume juice. And Cows milk is started at 1 year of age. They wouldn't give you anything that would harm your child. If anything your child's body needs the calcium and the sugars from the juice. The body needs essentials that are from food and drink! You don't necessarily need to give your child strawberry and chocolate milk. Do give him juice that is 100% juice though his body needs juice, and milk. Have you consulted with you pediatrician? What does he or she say? I don't give my kids a lot of flavored milk either but they do get regular milk as well as juice, and water. But Like I said you are mom and you know what you want for your child!

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

I had a neighbour once whose child always had a bottle or a cup in her hand containing flavoured milk. By the time this child started school she had already lost all of her baby teeth.

Answer 9

i gave my kids juice when they were little and their teeth are fine. the only time I dont reommend letting them have it is at bedtime where the sugar stays on their teeth overnight.usually when their up, it doesnt hurt because their saliva breaks down the sugar. i wouldnt recommend lots of juice however because it can cause diarrhea .