Citing obesity and dental health concerns, AAP said that children should not drink fruit juices in their first year.
The new recommendations:
Ages 1 to 3 should be less than 4 ounces a day.
4 to 6 years old less than six ounces daily.
7 to 18 less than eight ounces per day.
Other suggestions include:
Toddlers shouldn’t be given juice at bedtime and should not be given juice in sippy cups that allow them to sip at their leisure throughout the day. Constant exposure to the juice causes teeth decay.
Children should eat whole fruits.
Unpasteurized juice is not recommended for children of any age.
By training, I am a American Board Certified Pediatrician. But in my younger years I grew up with natural alternatives. As a mom I have tried to incorporate both for my kids and it has worked wonders. And finally, as I am studying natural & alternative medicines, I realize the beauty and wisdom of living closer to earth. Hence in my practice I integrate both...for acute ailments I follow American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation but for simple and/or chronic conditions I prefer natural alternatives.
In western training we were raised to think that "health is the absence of symptoms and problems". But eastern sensibilities has educated me that "Health is state that allows one to use the full capabilities of their body, mind and intellect. Therefore, healthy living is a balanced state of well being: physically, mentally, socially and spiritually." This implies that healing is not a "one-pill-fits-all", but a personalized experience.
