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Original poster

This is contentious! am preparing to get slagged

116 replies

Moomin · 07/02/2006 21:58

... but why do people give juice to babies (under 12m) apart from when they are constipated, that is? is it cos juice 'for babies' is in the shops so people think it's just something else to buy?

really not criticising, just wondering why it is thought necessary?

[runs away wearing tin hat]

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 07/02/2006 21:59

Eh, people think of juice as good, when generally, it's not that much better than coke.

Heathcliffscathy · 07/02/2006 21:59

not necessary. wrong imo.

sorry to be hardline about it

QE2 · 07/02/2006 21:59

I awlays gave mine weak juice from when they were about 6 months-ish and drinking from a cup with spout.#

Didn't know you weren't supposed to.

bangersandmash · 07/02/2006 21:59

coz if they wont drink water diluted fruit juice is probably the next best thing.

moondog · 07/02/2006 22:00

It is complete bollocks,I agree. (Have you seen how much they charge for those silly little jars too??)

BudaBabe · 07/02/2006 22:00

Oh comeon - it's better thatn coke! No sniffing for starters!

Miaou · 07/02/2006 22:00

Do you mean diluting juice, moomin? Or fresh orange juice (for eg) watered down?

Flossam · 07/02/2006 22:00

I reluctantly did when my DS refused to drink when he started on formula at around 5 months. Started weaning and he refused to drink anything 'at all'. Was constipated. Eventually we had a really hot summers day and persisted with the water, he gave in then! Still dosen't drink enough IMO, but never has juice now. Prefers water to juice.

misdee · 07/02/2006 22:00

[ROLLS EYES]

why do some people use soap and bubbles on babies as its unnesscery imo.

hoxtonchick · 07/02/2006 22:00

i sooooooooo agree with you nqc about the nutritional value of juice! my dd, 7 months, is comically delighted to drink water, thinks it's really funny. i'm intending to keep it that way for a long time

PiccadillyCircus · 07/02/2006 22:00

I think it's because it is there.

And also because people don't like to think of babies only having water because it is boring.

DS didn't start having juice for quite a while (I think older than 12 months).

handlemecarefully · 07/02/2006 22:01

Oh fgs!

Original poster
Moomin · 07/02/2006 22:01

it's just not necessary imho. if they get used to sweetened drinks early on they won't want water when they're older. makes sense.

OP posts:
Pruni · 07/02/2006 22:01

Message withdrawn

handlemecarefully · 07/02/2006 22:02

Listen, I recommend reduced mumsnetting. It gives a sense of perspective.

LIZS · 07/02/2006 22:02

cos they assume that when their babies spit out their first sips of water , they don't like it and won't drink it.

Original poster
Moomin · 07/02/2006 22:02

why the rolling eyes and 'fgs'? just 1) asking a question and 2) expressing an opinion?

OP posts:
bangersandmash · 07/02/2006 22:02

well not much you can do if theyre constipated and wont drink water despite all best efforts. or should we force feed them water just to give them the right stuff to drink.

alliep30 · 07/02/2006 22:02

bottle juice "for babies" is full of sugar... water is best.. they've got no idea on taste, they drink formula and that tastes rank...

Angeliz · 07/02/2006 22:02

lol Pruni

colditz · 07/02/2006 22:03

Yes, that is precisely the reason why.

Same as people who will not listen to government guidelines on not weaning before 6 months, it's because they spend more time in Boots than reading government weaning leaflets, and Boots sell babyfood from 4-6 months. So that is when they think a baby should be having food.

One of my friends asked me when her baby would be ready to "Come off jars and have our food"

She won't have it that "our food" is better for him, because the food in jars is "baby food", so that is what you give to babies.

Honestly, loads of people think like this. They trust Cow and Gate, that's why.

Original poster
Moomin · 07/02/2006 22:03

yep i said EXCEPT when they're constipated

OP posts:
QE2 · 07/02/2006 22:03

What a load of old tosh. Mine all had juice when they were babies. All of them drink water as well now. All accept the limits i put on drinks like coke without argument.

expatinscotland · 07/02/2006 22:04

don't know. didn't give it to DD1 until after she was 1, and she was bottle fed. She got diluted fruit juice. She still does sometimes, but she mostly drinks milk and water. She asks for milk a lot and 'a drink of water'.

misdee · 07/02/2006 22:04

cos we've been here before with juice for babies. dd3 has a drop (literally) of juice in her water, but generally only has 2 cups a week, the rest is breastmilk.