Weaning a baby, Water or juice?

[CantThinkOfAGoodUserName]

I know the guidelines are water or milk before 1 is that right????

But what do the majority do? I've only given DD water but ALL my friends say yeh that's what they say but all give really weak diluted juice or something.. Is this normal or is it just my irresponsible friends? :)

[beccajoh]

I've only ever given water, but we don't routinely drink juice ourselves so don't have it in the house very often. Plain water is widely available but well-diluted juice isn't. I would worry that by giving juice as a regular drink, you might end up with a baby who might refuse water because it doesn't like the taste?

My toddler sometimes has juice, but her main drinks are water or milk. My baby is being weaned and is offered water with his meals.

[tumbletumble]

If your DD is happy with water, why give her squash / juice?

[evertonmint]

You can give watered down juice - it won't kill them - but juice does have a lot of sugar and isn't nutritionally amazing. Plus I'd personally worry about it giving them a sweet tooth (as somebody who has one which I like to blame on being given sugary tea in a bottle as a toddler!!!). So you're probably better off sticking to water and milk mainly.

My two older DCs (6 and 3) mainly have water, some milk and then no more than one glass of juice a day (and not always every day) I have a 3wo too and suspect he'll be water and milk only until one and then only juice occasionally.

[Littleturkish]

Water is SO much easier and better for them.

I've only given water as that's all we drink.

[evertonmint]

By occasionally, I mean once a week or something like that, not once or twice a day.

[Littleturkish]

Oh and v v v weak tea. But it's more milk that has had a quick glimpse of a tea bag. She loves it.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

Water here unless freshly squeezed at home for the vit c content.
Every dentist will say to avoid as much as possible and if you have a child who will only drink dilute its a nightmare in a heatwave or if they're poorly and need lots of liquids.

[Thegreatunslept]

My ds is 14 months and has only had juice a few times. He drinks water normally my reason for this is purely as water is widely available and usually free if not I can buy bottled water, you cannot buy well diluted juice in shops and other people won't always have dilute juice. Dsd age 6 drinks water juice and milk but mostly water it's easy!

[gastrognome]

No idea about the majority but we didn't bother with juice when DDs were tiny. Why introduce it if they are happy to drink water, which is free, always on tap (literally), doesn't stain or smell, and is much easier to clean up.
Of course if they refuse to drink water that's a different story...
Anyway these days (kids aged 3.5 and 6) we tend to stick with water or milk at home, and juice if at a cafe or out for lunch or whatever.

[whereisshe]

I just give DD water or milk (formula or expressed bm not cow as she's only 7 months). I don't see why I'd give her juice, water is fine. None of my friends do and I don't drink juice myself because of the sugar so it's not in the house. It's not poison though, it's not the end of the world if you did.

[ThinkIveBeenHacked]

I never gave juice as I didnt want to get into a situation where dd would refuse plain water. She is 2 1/2 and still only has water or milk. I accept that I am pfb when it comes to what she drinks

But I see no actual need for juice at the weaning stage.

[stargirl1701]

We haven't given DD juice yet - 22 months. Milk or water for her.

[SuburbanRhonda]

If you go over to the education threads and see how many people complain about the "water only in the classroom" rules in school, on the grounds that their DCs "don't like water", you'll know that the longer you leave sweet drinks out of their diet the better.

[EverythingCounts]

Water will make your life so much easier for reasons given above. Had family members who weaned their DD onto baby juices, then went abroad and couldn't get them and their DD wouldn't drink water. Holiday ruined. Plus the long term outlook for their teeth is reason enough by itself.

[CantThinkOfAGoodUserName]

Yes I am happy she drinks water and will keep it that way, I just wondered if I was being a bit OTT as when I say these things some people look at me like I'm being too protective or something. Just wanted to hear you all say that I think

[naturalbaby]

Ds1 only had milk or water till he was over 12months. Ds2 wanted juice because ds1 was drinking it by the time I was weaning 2nd time. He also has a habit of swishing drinks round his mouth so it's a good job he now only drinks water or milk.

[ppeatfruit]

It always surprises me that no one mentions giving babies filtered water on these threads. Considering the stink of chlorine that comes from most tap water It must be better to use filtered water. It tastes miles better so IMO and E it is nicer for EVERYONE to drink.

[stargirl1701]

We live in rural Perthshire. The water is lovely!

[GlaikitFizzog]

Depends where you live re the quality of the water. Water. Isn't recycled in Scotland, just treated and released back to the environment.

Ds is three and sometimes has juice or a smoothie as a treat., but will ask for water if he wants a drink.

[BertieBotts]

Water is better for them, some people like to give juice, I don't know, because they like it themselves so think it's nicer for the baby? Of course some give juice because their baby won't drink water and of course it's better to get something into them, but water is best. I found DS was perfectly happy with water but as he got older he wanted to try different drinks as he saw me and other people having them.

[Heels99]

Water only. Why on earth would you give tooth rotting juice even in small quantities? Babies soon start rejecting water as they want the sweetened juice. Perhaps ask your dentist what they think? They prob know better than your friends

[ppeatfruit]

You're lucky stargirl We live in rural fr. and sadly the water is as chlorinated as it is in London ( I don't reckon it'll have so many recycled contraceptive pills\ HRT in it though ).

The difference in a cup of tea with the filter has to be tasted to be believed.

Heels BM is naturally sweet (I don't know about formula). Our dentist said if you always rinse with water after a fruit juice of fruit tea it neutralises the acids in your mouth.

[purpleme12]

I've only given my baby water I plan to continue this.... let's see how long I can do it!

[SuburbanRhonda]

Our dentist said if you always rinse with water after a fruit juice of fruit tea it neutralises the acids in your mouth.

Or maybe just drink the water on its own?

[yellowsnownoteatwillyou]

Ds 11 months only drinks water from the tap or bottles when we are out, in scotland.he quite likes a smoothie that I make when the fruit gets a bit too ripe to eat. But generally gets a drink if water after it.