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Original poster

Can I give my 5 month old fruit juice?

19 replies

BessieBoots · 25/02/2010 21:26

5 m o soon has been on solids for about a week. He loves it, and scoffs good, just like his mammy
However, he won't take bottles of water, so Iwas wondering if you knew whether I can give him fruit juice (eg del monte or whatever) diluted with loads of water.
He is still breast fed often- I'd say every 2-3 hours.
Thanks!

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Original poster

BessieBoots · 25/02/2010 21:27

That should read son, not soon!

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BariatricObama · 25/02/2010 21:29

i wouldn't. he is getting lots of fluid from the bfing. adn he will get into the water at about 7 months or sooner. have you tried a sukey cup?

debka · 25/02/2010 21:30

I wouldn't personally, it's not the greatest habit for a child to get into. Once they get the taste for it... My DD has always only had water, that's all she knows. Don't worry about him not taking any water at the moment, he'll be getting plenty of fluid from the BFs.

Original poster

BessieBoots · 25/02/2010 21:32

But he's been seriously straining when he's doing a poo, til it makes him cry... :-(

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heckythump · 25/02/2010 21:32

I wouldn't. In fact I would say, don't

It is full of sugar. You shouldn't really give older kids fruit juice unless they are having it with a meal - the chewing of food keeps the sugar from the teeth... it will just hang round your babies gums and eventual teeth.

Water, water, water!

heckythump · 25/02/2010 21:35

Oh.... I see. You could wait a bit to see if he is not ready for solids, but if you still want to, what are you actually giving him for solids? Is this causing the problem?

Original poster

BessieBoots · 25/02/2010 21:40

Well, I started him on solids because he started to want to feed every hour, and was not getting satisfied by breastmilk. So I give him some fruit or veg- carrot, parsnip, apple. He always finishes it all and seems to enjoy.

Can't believe I've forgotten all this from last time... DS1 is only 4 and I can't remember any of the details!

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Skegness · 25/02/2010 21:47

Diluted juice (preferably in a cup not a bottle) with his food should be fine to help with the constipation. Giving fruit puree (as long as it's not banana!) might do the same thing, though? I think they recommend 1 part juice to 10 parts water. Agree that it's worth trying to help him get a taste for water alone in the longer term.

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 25/02/2010 21:47

Breastmilk contains much more fat and calories than a bit of pureed fruit/veg and is more nutritious.

I wouldn't give fruit juice to your son as he needs the calories and fat from your breastmilk. Fruit juice will just fill him up with 'empty' calories and could cause him to lose his appetite for breastmilk.

Guidelines say you should wait until your son is at least 6 months old before starting on solids. He may have been having a growth spurt which is why he seemed hungrier than normal. By allowing him frequent access to the breast, your supply would catch up and meet his demands.

You don't need to supplement with water if you are still exclusively breasfeeding but when you do begin solids just offer water from a sippy cup after each meal, it might take him a few months to 'get it' but as long as he's still being bf he should be fine. Have you thought about Baby-Led Weaning? It is a natural progression from breastfeeding.

Original poster

BessieBoots · 25/02/2010 21:48

Thanks for the advice

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heckythump · 25/02/2010 21:50

It's a tuff'un then. I know the advice is not before 6 months as the gut may not developed enough to deal with it. The food you are giving him sounds all ok... but - and this is just a thought, I'm not one for preaching by any means - is he on a growth spurt and just needs milk - no solid?

heckythump · 25/02/2010 21:51

x-posts with BMOM

Original poster

BessieBoots · 25/02/2010 21:54

TheBreastmilk, I had previous advice on trying to breastfeed for as long as possible, and I really wanted to go til 6 months. This worked for a while, but after a bit it got too much for both of us... My supply just wasn't meeting his needs, neither of us were getting much sleep etc. He is a huge baby- 10 pound 2 at birth (where's that ouch emoticon?!)- and even my lovely supportive breastfeeding counsellor said that I might want to give him something to eat. I am still breastfeeding as much as I did before he was on solids, and am planning on keeping it that way for as long as poss.

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TheBreastmilksOnMe · 25/02/2010 22:02

My baby was a whopper too! He always fed every couple of hours throughout the day and night until he started on solids at 6 mths then I got some respite!

Your supply will always meet your baby's demand. You have enough milk to feed 2, possibly 3 children. That is why they call it 'supply and demand'.

I can only give you the facts- it's entirely up to you how you decide to do it. I understand it's hard when you aren't getting much sleep and it feels like you are constantly feeding but it doesn't last long. Before you know it he will be down to 2-3 feeds a day!

Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you.

seeker · 25/02/2010 22:03

So you started giving solids 5 weeks before the recommended time and now you want to give him fruit juice because he's constipated?

Original poster

BessieBoots · 25/02/2010 22:07

Um, yes Seeker, I gave him solids when HV and doctor recommended, and am asking whether I should give him fluids.

Thanks for the advice, breastmilk, I'll try to get my supply back up.

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heckythump · 25/02/2010 22:12

Good luck Bessie - hope your little one feels better son. Constipation is an awful thing. I gave my son prune juice diluted with water by the way. I was just prodding you, testing water so to speak, as my son didn't start solids properly until 13 months which is a whole different kettle of fish, as you realise!

LadyGaga · 25/02/2010 22:16

water or milk--- dont start chucking ribena on him as 5 months... give him watery fruit- melon, watermelon, etc once he;s been properly weaned..

don't run before you walk....

Original poster

BessieBoots · 27/02/2010 21:25

Thanks for advice all, especially TheBreastmilk. I have let him feed every hour or two in the last few days, which has increased my milk, meaning he needs almost no solids now (still had about 3 spoonfuls of apple today, but it was mostly water tbh.) Feel fab about it now- love bfing- so from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

feeling the love

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