Babies under 12 months should generally avoid homemade lemonade due to its high sugar content and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation to avoid juice in the first year of life.
While the tartness of lemon juice might be appealing to some babies, lemonade, even homemade, typically contains a significant amount of sugar. The AAP advises that babies under 12 months shouldn't drink juice at all. For toddlers ages 1 to 3, juice intake should be limited to a maximum of 4 ounces per day.
Here's why homemade lemonade might not be the best choice for babies:
- High Sugar Content: Excessive sugar intake can contribute to unhealthy weight gain, tooth decay, and a preference for sweet foods later in life.
- Lack of Nutritional Value: Lemonade primarily provides empty calories and lacks the essential nutrients that babies need for growth and development, which they should be getting from breast milk or formula, and later from solid foods.
- Acidity: The acidity of lemon juice can potentially irritate a baby's digestive system.
Instead of lemonade, offer your baby water or breast milk/formula to quench their thirst. If you are introducing new flavors to your baby, consider offering small amounts of pureed fruits or vegetables.
