Is Apple Juice Safe for Babies

Babies are the most precious little things. During the initial phases of their lives, it is important to ensure they get all their nutrients so that they can grow up healthy and strong. As they grow older, it is also important to change their diets constantly to accommodate greater requirements. Diluted juice is widely accepted food that can be given to babies after 6–7 months. Among all the juices, is apple juice safe for babies? Should you be giving apple juice to a newborn? Let’s read the following post to find out if apple juice for babies is safe or not, and let’s also check up on the benefits and risks associated with apple juice for babies.

Can Babies Have Apple Juice?

Yes, babies over 6 months of age can have a very limited amount of apple juice, taking into consideration their nutritional needs.

When Can Babies Have Apple Juice?

Since juice is an easy-to-digest liquid, you might wonder, “What age can babies have apple juice?” The American Academy of Pediatrics says that the ideal age to start giving your baby apple juice is when they are 1 year old. Introducing Apple juice to babies must be done slowly in order to get them used to it. Due to the sugar content, giving a 6-month-old apple juice is believed to lead to different kinds of ailments and issues.

How Can Apple Juice Help Constipated Infants?

Among the whole bunch of benefits of apples, there is one benefit of apple juice for baby constipation as well, which means being good for a baby’s bowels. Oftentimes, you might find that your baby feels constipated. Infant constipation can be cured with apple juice.

• Apple juice helps constipation because of the sugars and liquids that act as a natural laxative.
• 1-2 ounces of apple juice for a baby can usually get rid of constipation and help ease the passage of stool.

Make sure to give the right amount of recommended apple juice for babies as per AAP so that they do not end up consuming too much sugar.

Risks of Giving Apple Juice to Babies

Giving your baby apple juice comes with its own set of risks. We have listed them here just so that you are aware of them.

• Babies under the age of 6 months do not require apple juice. Try to stick to breastmilk and natural foods.
• Consuming too much apple juice can lead to tooth decay due to the sugar content.
• Babies who are introduced to apple juice at a young age are more prone to the risk of diabetes.
• Babies that are on a juice diet are also prone to becoming obese.
• Due to the sugar content, babies also tend to get diarrhoea due to apple juice.

Things to Remember While Giving Apple Juice to Your Baby

Having understood the risks involved, here are some tips on apple juice for infants that you can follow while feeding your baby apple juice.

1. Age of the Baby

Make sure that you are not giving your baby apple juice in case they are less than 6 months old. Babies should ideally be on a diet of breastmilk or formula because all the nutrition that a baby needs can be received through these two sources. Therefore, from a nutritional standpoint, there is nothing extra that your baby can get from apple juice.

2. Fresh Fruit

As much as you can, try to give your baby juices from natural sources. Natural sugars are a lot better than added sugars. Fruits also contain more fibre and nutrients, which are beneficial for your baby. Added sugars can have different, long-term ill effects on your baby. Also, make sure the fruit juice is either very fresh or, if it is sourced from a shelf, it must be pasteurised and suitable for children with no added sugars or preservatives. Pasteurisation makes fruit juices free of harmful bacteria and makes them safe for infants, children, and adolescents.

3. Diluting the Juice

If you are trying to introduce apple juice to your baby, make sure to add a little bit to water so as to introduce him slowly to it. To your baby, it will not make a difference as it will taste like sweet water. However, if you find that your baby is hooked to the sugar in the apple juice, try to wean him from it for their own benefit.

4. No Added Sugar

In case you find yourself in a situation where you are forced to buy apple juice from a store, search and buy ones that have no added sugars. Sucrose and fructose are inherently not good for the human body.

5. Bottled Juice is a Big No-No

If it crosses your mind to give your baby juice from the bottle, make sure you absolutely refrain from doing so, as it increases the chances of tooth decay. If you must, try feeding it with a small spoon.

6. Allergey

Make sure your little one shows no allergy to apples (they come under birch pollen) by doing a small test before feeding the fresh fruit juice.

How to Make Apple Juice for Babies?

An apple a day might definitely keep the doctor away, but as long as it is the fresh fruit that we are talking about. Ideally best choice beverages for babies and toddler include water and plain milk. In case you really want to feed your child apple juice, you might as well make it at home since the recipe is very easy. Read on to learn about the best apple juice recipe for babies, toddlers and kids.

Ingredients

Apple sauce:

• 2 apples
• 1 tablespoon of palm sugar (if needed)
• Water

Apple juice:

• 2 tablespoons of apple sauce
• 1 cup of water

Other requirements:

• Stove
• Pan
• Spoon
• Jar
• Blender
• Glass

Method

1. Choose two red apples, and if they are sweet enough, you probably do not even need the palm sugar. Make sure not to use any white sugar because it is not good for babies.
2. Peel the skin off the apples and wash them thoroughly under running water multiple times. Peeling will ensure that the wax and pesticides have been removed from the fruit.
3. Use a knife and cut the apples into small 1-inch pieces after removing and discarding the core and seeds.
4. Add the apples immediately to a pan and just about submerge them in water. At this point, you can choose to add sugar.
5. Cook for 5 minutes on a low flame so that they turn soft.
6. Set them aside and allow them to cool. Once cooled, transfer them to a mixer along with the water.
7. Blend the mixture well so that it turns into a smooth paste. Keep a new, cleaned jar ready to transfer the sauce.
8. Your apple sauce is ready, and you can store it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.
9. For the apple juice, add two tablespoons of apple sauce to a bowl and add a cup of warm water.
10. Mix well, and the apple juice is ready!
11. You can feed this juice to your baby with a sterile spoon.

Notes

• Make sure to use only fresh apples and peel them.
• There is no need to use added sugar if the apples are sweet enough.
• Do not give your baby white sugar due to the chemicals present in it.
• The apple sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
• Always use warm or boiled water to make the juice so that the water is clean for your baby.
• Make sure to introduce the juice slowly to your baby, starting.

FAQs

1. How much apple juice should I give to my constipated baby?

Thanks to apples’ laxative properties, you can give apple juice to your constipated baby. A very small amount of apple juice given through spoons is enough for your baby to relieve from constipation.

2. Can I give boil apple to my baby?

You can boil the peeled, cut, and de-seeded slices until fork tender, and let your little one munch them.

3. Which apple is good for a baby?

Apples ideal for babies must be those with a sweet and milk flavour. Apple varieties like Fuji and Gaja are less acidic and have milder flavour than Granny Smith apples and are ideal for babies.

Babies are very precious creatures, and sometimes it can be a steep learning curve for parents to find out the dos and don’ts. Don’t feel inept, it is only normal to figure out their requirements as and when they come up. With respect to apple juice, anything in moderate quantities should not harm your baby. Make sure you start with applesauce and move on to juice. Try to stick to natural flavours without additives because of the ill effects of preservatives and sugars. We hope our article has helped you understand the pros and cons of apple juice and the amount that you should be giving your baby.

References/Resources:

1. Where We Stand: Fruit Juice for Children; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Fruit-Juice.aspx

2. Recommended Drinks for Children Age 5 & Younger; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Recommended-Drinks-for-Young-Children-Ages-0-5.aspx

3. Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome; ACAAI; https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/pollen-food-allergy-syndrome/

4. When Can My Child Start Drinking Juice?; Nemours KidsHealth; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/babies-juice.html

5. Heyman. M. B, Abrams. S. A; Fruit Juice in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Current Recommendations; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/139/6/e20170967/38754/Fruit-Juice-in-Infants-Children-and-Adolescents?autologincheck=redirected; June 2017

6. Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit; CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/foods-and-drinks/foods-and-drinks-to-limit.html

Also Read:

Apple Puree for Infants
Stewed Apple for Infants & Toddlers
Homemade Apple Recipes for Infants