No juice before age 1

(Latest News from AAP)

Click here to read more: https://www.aappublications.org/news/2017/05/22/FruitJuice052217

One of the most common questions parents ask pediatricians is how much 100% fruit juice they should give their children. A new AAP policy recommends some children should be consuming less juice than previously advised.

An AAP policy statement published in 2001 and reaffirmed in 2006 recommended no juice for children younger than 6 months of age, 4-6 ounces daily for children ages 1-6 years and 8-12 ounces for children 7 and older. Since then, however, considerable concern has been expressed about increasing obesity rates and risks for dental caries.

Lower daily intakes

The Academy’s new policy Fruit Juice in Infants, Children and Adolescents: Current Recommendations builds on the original but considers the evidence released since then. The new advice indicates that fruit juice should not be provided to children younger than 1 year of age unless there is a strong clinical basis for it in the management of constipation. For older children, maximum daily intakes of 100% juice products should be 4 ounces for children ages 1-3 years, 4-6 ounces for children ages 4-6 years and 8 ounces for those 7 and older.

Recommendations

  • Juice should not be introduced to infants before 1 year unless clinically indicated. Daily intake should be limited to 4 ounces in toddlers ages 1-3 years, 4-6 ounces for those 4-6 years. For those 7-18 years, limit juice intake to 8 ounces or 1 cup of the recommended 2-2½ cups of fruit servings/day.
  • Toddlers should not be given juice from bottles or easily transportable covered cups that make it easy to consume throughout the day, nor should they be given juice at bedtime.
  • Children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits and educated on the benefit of fiber intake.
  • Families should be educated that human milk and/or infant formula is sufficient to satisfy fluid requirements for infants, and low-fat/nonfat milk and water are sufficient for older children.
  • Consumption of unpasteurized juice products should be strongly discouraged.
  • Grapefruit juice should be avoided in those taking certain medications (see policy).
  • When evaluating children with malnutrition — as well as chronic diarrhea, excessive flatulence, abdominal pain and bloating — pediatricians should determine the amount of juice being consumed.
  • In evaluating risk for dental caries, discuss the relationship between fruit juice and dental decay, and inquire about the amount and means of juice consumption.
  • Routinely discuss the use of fruit juice vs. fruit drinks, and educate older children and parents about the differences.