As a parent, do you always have fruit juice or drinks available for your infant or child to drink when she is thirsty? Do you feel that fruit juice is a healthier alternative to soda pop, especially if it’s 100 percent natural juice? Do you have a hard time convincing your child to drink milk?

Infants and children readily accept the taste of sweet beverages such as fruit juice, fruit drinks and soda pop, according to Debbie Verkin, R.D., pediatric dietitian at Mercy Children’s Hospital. These beverages contain varying types and amounts of sugars or carbohydrates. Some fruit juices provide valuable vitamins and nutrients. Milk and infant formulas contain sugars; however, they pack more of a nutritional punch than fruit juice alone, she says.

Too much consumption of any sweetened beverage can pose serious health problems for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns parents that the risk for obesity, tooth decay, malnutrition and chronic diarrhea is increased in infants and children who consume these beverages throughout the day.

Children who drink excessive fruit drinks and juices consume a greater proportion of total calories from simple sugars. Basically, simple sugars are empty calories. Too much juice in the diet tends to replace other, more nutritious foods, which may influence a child’s growth potential. This is especially important for infants who need to drink nutritionally balanced infant formula. Excess calories from any juice or beverage can lead to weight problems in children and can lead to malnutrition in infants who have formula replaced with juice. A recent study from the Journal of Pediatrics reported that daily consumption of more than 12 ounces of fruit juice by young children was associated with short stature and obesity.

Even the American Academy of Pedodontics has voiced concern about giving sweetened beverages to infants and children. Infants and children who continuously expose their teeth to formula, milk or other sweetened liquids are feeding the bacteria living in the mouth. In the process, the bacteria produce acids that lead to cavities over time. Baby bottle tooth decay can occur when babies are given bottles at nap time or at night.

“Certainly,100 percent juice is part of the food guide pyramid’s choices for a healthy diet, but it should be consumed in moderation” says Ms. Verkin.

Fruit Juice Tips When you give your child juice, it should be 100 percent pasteurized fruit juice and not fruit drinks. Infants under 6 months of age should not be given juice, although juice may be suggested earlier to treat constipation. Younger children ages 1 to 6 years should have only 4 to 6 ounces of juice a day. Instead of juice, children should be encouraged to eat whole fruit. Never give your baby a bottle in bed. Teach you child to drink from a cup or from a sports-type bottle. Encourage milk consumption in children over 1 year of age, especially with meals. If your child wants juice in larger amounts than recommended, try mixing seltzer water or sugar-free fruit flavored soda with equal parts of juice.