During the 12 months of a baby’s life, its weight will increase by three times and its length by 50%. This period of the child’s growth will require nutrition that will best suit those needs.
According to the new recommendation posted by these Surrey dentists, parents must avoid giving their kids one year and below with fruit juice, except if advised by their physician, since it doesn’t offer any nutritional benefit and may even bad for the health.
Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has suggested that fruit juices must not be given to children until they are six months old, the new guideline has been changed to one year old, except if doctor orders.
The big change in the recommendation is the age of the child, from six months to one year old. According to Dr. Steven Abrams, one of the authors of the report said that infants don’t need fruit juice in their diet. He also added that giving them fruit juice will devoid them from getting adequate milk (breastmilk or formula) with the fat, protein and nutrients that they provide. And, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that after infants start consuming solid foods, instead of having fruit juice it’s much better if they have the whole fruit that’s either mashed or pureed.
The good thing is that you will not be prying those juice boxes away from your kid’s hands forever. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has warned parents of not giving their kids ages one and below to drink fruit juices, they do allow kids ages above one year of age to drink 100% fresh or reconstituted juice with no added sugar as part of a balanced diet. The AAP discourages parents to avoid unpasteurized fruit juices, for they have the possibility to make kids sick.
Even in fruit juices that have no added sugar, some fruits have natural high sugar content, which can lead to tooth decay, which is the most common disease found among children. So although giving fruit juice is easy, which doesn’t involve washing and slicing, and can drink from easy-to-go containers such as sippy cups or juice boxes, it is not what’s best for children. If kids are able to eat solid foods, it is much better to let them eat the whole fruit for it can provide fibre and will help kids feel fuller. And if kids do drink fruit juice, they must consume it within the recommended allowance and with meals.
Contact Surdel Dental Centre for more information.