Why do babies need to drink juice?

We have a 9 months old baby. She is not our first child but we have forgotten a couple of things regarding raising a baby. BabyCenter is a web site we have been using as a guide in the past 6 years. It is a very informative resource for parents. So we went there to look for information on “what to feed” our baby. Here is what we found.

Age-by-age guide to feeding your baby


Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: November 2008

Age: 8 to 10 months


What to feed:
• Breast milk or formula, PLUS
• Small amounts of soft pasteurized cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese (but no cows' milk until age 1)
• Iron-fortified cereals (rice, barley, wheat, oats, mixed cereals)
• Mashed fruits and vegetables (bananas, peaches, pears, avocados, cooked carrots, squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes)
• Finger foods (lightly toasted bagels, cut up; small pieces of ripe banana; well-cooked spiral pasta; teething crackers; low-sugar O-shaped cereal)
• Small amounts of protein (egg, pureed meats, poultry, and boneless fish; tofu; well-cooked and mashed beans with soft skins like lentils, split peas, pintos, black beans)

All looks good so far…. And then….
• Non-citrus juice (apple or pear)

How much per day:
• ¼ to 1/3 cup dairy (or ½ oz. cheese)
• ¼ to ½ cup iron-fortified cereal• ¼ to ½ cup fruit• ¼ to ½ cup vegetables
• 1/8 to ¼ cup protein foods
• 3 to 4 oz. non-citrus juices


This list is obviously affected by the culture, time, and place where we live. I wonder what kids eat in countries where “low-sugar O-shaped cereal” does not exist.

Nonetheless, I do ask – why do babies need to drink juice?


See also Sugary Similac Organic infant formula and Baby First Food Words