First foods database
🧃 Fruit juice for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies drink fruit juice? Fruit juice is not needed for babies or young children. Breast milk or formula, plus sips of water from around 6 months, are all a baby needs. If you do offer juice after 12 months, dilute it 1 part juice to 10 parts water and give it only with meals.
Good source of: Vitamin C
How to serve fruit juice by age
6 to 9 months
Not yet. Offer sips of water from an open or free-flow cup with meals, and give whole fruit rather than juice. Mashed or soft finger-food fruit gives the same vitamins with the fibre kept in.
9 to 12 months
Still not needed. Babies who get used to sweet drinks may drink less milk and water. Keep offering water with meals and plenty of whole fruit.
12 months and up
If offered, dilute 1 part juice to 10 parts water, in a cup not a bottle, and only at mealtimes. Water and milk remain the best everyday drinks for children.
Choking safety
Juice is not a choking risk, but frequent sipping bathes teeth in sugar and acid, which can cause decay even before the teeth have fully come through.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Juice is a free sugar and acidic; frequent sipping harms teeth.
- Never put juice in a bottle or offer it at bedtime.
- Smoothies count as juice for teeth, so keep them to mealtimes too.
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat fruit juice?
Can babies drink fruit juice? Fruit juice is not needed for babies or young children. Breast milk or formula, plus sips of water from around 6 months, are all a baby needs. If you do offer juice after 12 months, dilute it 1 part juice to 10 parts water and give it only with meals.
Can babies have orange juice?
It is not needed. After 12 months, if you offer it, dilute 1 part juice to 10 parts water and only with meals.
Does fruit juice count as one of my toddler's 5 a day?
A small glass can count once a day, but whole fruit is better because it keeps the fibre.
What should my baby drink instead of juice?
Breast milk or formula as their main drink, with sips of water from a cup from about 6 months. From 12 months, whole cow's milk and water.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).