Full Parent’s Guide For Introducing Juices To Infants: At What Age Can Infants Start Drinking Juice?

Reviewed by: Based on infant nutrition and feeding guidelines from WHO, AAP, and UNICEF

The question that almost all new parents have is: “When is it appropriate to give my baby juice?” This is especially true when your baby starts reaching for your drinks or when you are looking for ways to diversify your baby’s diet.

Juice is generally recommended for babies after 12 months of age according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Babies under 12 months are advised against juice consumption, unless there are specific medical reasons (e.g., constipation) as detailed by their doctor.

This guide answers the multitude of questions parents have, including the risks, safe alternatives, and the best practices for when your baby is able to drink juice.

Most Parents’ Guide To Infant Juice Consumption

Under 6 months: No juice is recommended. Infants should consume only breast milk or infant formula.
6–12 months: No consumption of juice is recommended by the AAP. Infants should consume breast milk or formula. Additionally, 100% fruit juice offers no advantages over whole fruit and can take the place of important nutrients from milk or formula.
12 months and over: It is recommended that babies have juice, but only in moderation. Infants aged 1–3 years should consume no more than 4 ounces (120 ml) of juice per day.

For older kids:

Ages 4–6: Limit to 4–6 ounces daily.
Ages 7 and older: Up to 8 ounces daily is the upper limit.

Always give preference to whole fruits rather than juice, especially as your baby gets older. Whole fruits are a better choice because they contain more nutrients and more fiber. This can help your baby’s digestive system as well as keep blood sugar stable.

Why Children Under 1 Year Old Should Not Drink Juice

There are several reasons why juice shouldn’t be given to children before they turn 1 year old:

Juice contains a large amount of sugar. Even though the sugar in juice comes from fruit, there are still a lot of calories, which can lead to weight gain and trigger an early preference for sweet tastes.
Juice does not contain fiber. The lack of fiber can lead to constipation or diarrhea in some cases.
Juice can also lead to early childhood cavities (tooth decay).
Juices can displace the intake of breast milk, formula, and iron-rich foods.
Babies do not need juice because they receive their vitamins from milk, and later from solid foods.

Official AAP Policy on Fruit Juice: Fruit Juice in Infants, Children, and Adolescents

Exceptions

There are some rare exceptions when it is okay to give a child juice. The most common is when a child is constipated and is more than 6 months old. In that case, a doctor may recommend some diluted juice. However, this must be done exactly as the doctor says. Self-prescribing is not acceptable.

What You Should Know After Your Baby Turns One

After your child turns 1, you can give juice, but follow these rules carefully:

Only give 100% pure fruit juice (not fruit drinks or juice cocktails).
Dilute the juice with water.
Serve it in a cup, not a bottle.
Keep juice away from bedtime.
Limit juice to mealtimes so your child does not have prolonged exposure to sugars.

Better Alternatives to Juice

Whole fruits (mashed, pureed, or served as soft pieces)
Plain water
Breast milk or infant formula (up to 12 months)
Whole cow’s milk or fortified plant-based milk (after 1 year)

Tips for Parents

Whole fruits are better than juice because they are more satisfying and provide more nutrients.
Water is advised for babies older than 6 months and can be given in small sips during meals.
When buying juice, look for labels that say “100% juice” and be cautious of added sugars.
If your baby has loose stools or seems unusually fussy after drinking juice, talk to your pediatrician and remove it from their diet.
If you want your child to drink milk or water, it’s a good idea to drink those yourself as a role model.

Final Advice

When can babies drink juice? If you want to be safe, don’t let them have any before 12 months, and then let them have as little as possible. Water, milk, and whole fruits are far better for your baby than juice, and they will support their growth and health for a long time.

All babies are unique, so it’s best to check with your pediatrician before giving your baby any new beverages, especially if they have any health problems like reflux, allergies, or constipation.

Further Reading & Official Resources

Have you given your baby juice yet? We want to hear your baby’s age or your baby juice experience in the comments below!