It's very common to have questions about what you should feed your baby. Some components of a healthy adult diet aren't appropriate for the very young, while other foods are reasonable once a baby reaches the correct age. Depending upon the age of your baby, cranberry juice may be an acceptable component of diet.
Babies and Food
Babies have different nutritional needs than adults do, particularly when they're very young. Dr. Scott Cohen, a pediatrician, explains in his book "Eat, Sleep, Poop" that the nutritional needs of babies younger than six months of age are best met through providing breast milk or, alternately, a manufactured formula meant for infants. Babies this young really shouldn't be eating adult food in any form, including water and juice.
Older Babies
Once babies reach six months of age, it's reasonable to start them on some foods aside from breast milk or formula, though Dr. Cohen explains that until about a year of age, breast milk or formula should provide the majority of a baby's nutrients. Most juices are acceptable as small components of diet at this time, note Heidi Murkoff and colleagues in their book "What To Expect The First Year."
Cranberry Juice
If you're interested in giving your baby cranberry juice because you think the baby might enjoy the flavor or you want to provide the nutrients in the juice -- including vitamin C -- you're safe in doing so. However, it's best not to try to use cranberry juice to treat suspected ailments in babies; you're better off visiting the pediatrician. For instance, cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections, explain Drs. T. Kontiokari and colleagues in a 2001 article in the "British Medical Journal." Despite this, consult with your child's doctor if you suspect anything is wrong with your baby's health.
Considerations
There are two major concerns that Dr. Cohen expresses with regard to juice drinking in babies. The first is that some juices, including cranberry juice, are high in added sugar -- this is unhealthy. Second, babies shouldn't sip from a bottle all day; in particular, they shouldn't be put to bed with a bottle, as this contributes to dental decay and cavity formation. Limit your baby's juice and make sure you purchase low-sugar juices.
References
- "Eat, Sleep, Poop"; Scott Cohen, M.D.; 2010
- "What To Expect The First Year"; Heidi Murkoff et al; 2009
- "British Medical Journal"; Randomised trial of cranberry-lingonberry juice and Lactobacillus GG drink for the prevention of urinary tract infections in women; T. Kontiokari et al; June 2001
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