Re: How do you know when you give baby food?

Posted by Rowena on September 28, 2003 at 16:00:36:

In Reply to: Re: How do you know when you give baby food? posted by Kendra on September 28, 2003 at 14:03:31:

Kendra has made a really good point. Although widely considered as healthy, fruit juice should be given with caution.

Due to immmature digestive systems, a small number of babies experience the symptoms that Kendra described, as a result of a carbohydrate intolerance. Which means they cannot fully break down the sugars such as fructose pears and the sorbitol found in fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. (This is usually improves with age).

As you would imagine, children quickly learn to prefer the sweet taste of juice to water. I have seen many toddlers with feeding problems because they drink large amounts of juices - Large amounts of fruit juice can lead to malnutrition. You would be amazed at the huge number of children (and adults) who don't drink water.

Fruit juice is not essential to a healthy diet. Personally I believe it's far better for a child to eat fruit (which includes fiber that juice doesn't) and drink water than to drink juice.

Good eating habits start early.

Follow Ups:

• Typo - that's fructose IN pears! Rowena 16:02:39 9/28/03 (1)
  • wow I didnt know that!! thanx 98chevy 17:30:13 9/28/03 (0)

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