[sunnymw]

This post is courtesy of GMIL, whom we live with for the time being. Yesterday she asked "Isn't it time to give him some juice?"

I replied that I didn't really want to give him apple juice, as he's had the "target rash" after every time he's had applesauce (organic gerber, stage 1). (I don't really want to feed him jarred food, I prefer fresh, but she does the grocery shopping and hardly ever buys anything "fresh", so I tell her fine, get those... because when we don't have jarred food in the house, she thinks it's okay to feed DS dr pepper, sweet tea, coffee, pringles chips, chocolate, milk, cheese, and a whole slew of other random junk food... but of course it's always "JUST A LITTLE!"

:

:

: )

Anyway, then she said that she'd get some Orange juice. I think I remember reading somewhere that OJ has too much acid ("We'll water it down"), and she doesn't really get the healthiest kind anyhow.

So, what's the best kind of juice? Just so I can humor her maybe once every few days. He gets 2-3 oz of WATER every day from a soft-straw cup (he doesn't "do" bottles), but most of that usually ends up running down his shirt anyway.

Should he even be getting juice? How watered down should I make it? She also wants to get the "pre-diluted" juice from the baby aisle-- good idea or bad? I haven't even seen these but we're also part of the Nestle boycott and I'm not too keen on directly supporting other formula companies, either, iykwim.

What did you give your LOs at 8 months? Should I even be bothering with water? I have a small stash in the freezer, but we are going to TTC soon and I'm trying to build a stash for my 2nd trimester, but if there's no other good options I'm not opposed to using 2-3 oz everyday.

TIA, guys... I could fill a whole message board with threads about GMIL

so please give me something to work with, so he doesn't get soda/tea! Or help me find a nice, respectable way to tell her NO on a lot of the things she's doing, because she sees NO HARM in "just a little bit" and doesn't often listen to even medical advice. I'd love to be snarky, believe me, but we're not in a place right now where I can be. (Now, let me come back in 2 months!...)

 

[ryleigh'smama]

I wouldn't let her give him juice, or soda, or sweet tea. I think I'd just say "it's not good for him, sorry". If you think it would help though you could see if your pediatrician will give you some information on the effects of these drinks on teeth, childhood obesity, etc. My dd is two and drinks water. She will occasionally have some milk, but doesn't really like it that much...so water (sometimes as a treat we get carbonated water with fruit essence, but no sugar).

 

[AutumnMama]

Hm, at 8 months all my DC were getting as far as liquids goes was/is breastmilk.

Maybe a little water, but personally I wouldn't give juice yet.

As far as what to give first, I've heard that white grape juice is the easiest on their system.

Hopefully some other Mamas will be along to help you with how to successfully approach your GMIL!

ETA: I started this post 20 minutes ago, Kate had some good advice

 

[wildthing]

Juice is no more necessary to a baby/child's diet than cow's milk is. It is simply not something their bodies need. Baby would be better off with the whole fruit. Most of my kids drink only water, a few do like milk, but only on rare occasion. As they have gotten older, they of course are exposed to more things.

I wouldn't let my mother, or MIL or my own GMIL feed my babies (and I lived with both my mother and MIL, and GMIL would come for extended visits from Holland and stay with us). I admit, it can be tense when setting our own guidlines as parents, but it is also necessary. Good luck.

 

[JamieCatheryn]

A little after that, I think 9m, I started letting DS have some prune, apple, or grape juice as a treat, watered to 25% strength.

 

[GradysMom]

You are in a tough position momma - Ds, now nearly 10mo has been sipping my water for months and months, and especially with the heat I don't see it harming his appetite. I think depending on your comfort level I would strike a silent bargin with the situation. Something like only water, 10% juice or other juices pp suggested, cut with alot of water, 90%. Or 50/50.

I would focus on insisting on small bottles, not filled up all the way and having dear dear gmil cut all juices with water.

Maybe start offering dc water from you glass in front of gmil. If dc is not interested than you can honestly say dc doesn't like "other" drinks... or you will be able to demonstrate you are trying some new things...

Good luck - I can see you want to get away from sweet tea. Juices and things scare me because we just weren't meant for that much sugar at once, especially not as babes.

 

[nataliachick7]

i would not give him juice....its just sugar water.

 

[alegna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nataliachick7 i would not give him juice....its just sugar water.

:

No juice needed.

-Angela

 

[JaneSmith1010]

Good golly, the only advice I can tell you is to mortgage your soul and MOVE OUT. It is not healthy to give your son soda, sweets OR juice. All of it will make his insulin spike and cause bad habits to be established. I'm sorry I can't help.