Yes, babies can have diluted juice, but it's best to avoid it before your baby is 12 months old.
According to guidance on fruit juice and smoothies for babies, these drinks are high in sugar. If you do choose to offer juice before 12 months, it is crucial to dilute it significantly with water.
Key Recommendations for Offering Diluted Juice
For parents who decide to offer juice despite the recommendation to avoid it before 12 months, the following steps should be strictly followed:
- Dilution is Essential: Juice must be diluted with water. The recommended ratio is 1 part juice to 10 parts water. This significantly reduces the sugar concentration.
- Timing Matters: Offer the diluted juice only with a meal. This helps to minimize the contact time of sugars with teeth, reducing the risk of tooth decay.
- Container Choice: Use an open cup or a free-flow beaker. Avoiding bottles or sippy cups where babies might sip for prolonged periods also helps protect their teeth.
- Limit Frequency: The guidance strongly implies that even diluted juice should not be a regular drink due to its sugar content.
| Age Group | Recommendation Regarding Juice | Conditions if Offered (Against Recommendation) |
|---|---|---|
| Before 12 months | Best to avoid | Dilute (1:10 juice to water), offer with a meal, use open cup/beaker |
| 12 months+ | (Guidance implies more flexibility, but still high in sugar) | (General health advice suggests limiting intake at all ages) |
Why Dilute Juice for Babies?
Diluting juice with water helps to:
- Reduce the overall sugar content consumed.
- Minimize the exposure of developing teeth to sugars, which is a major factor in tooth decay.
- Encourage hydration without the added sugars found in undiluted juice.
It's important to remember that water and milk are the most appropriate drinks for babies and young children for healthy growth and development.
