Do I Need To Give My Baby Special Vitamins?
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Healthy, full-term babies don’t usually need to be given any supplemental vitamins in their first year of life. Both breastfed and formula fed babies get adequate vitamins and minerals from each source. Unless your doctor determines otherwise, or your baby has special nutritional needs, special vitamins are not necessary.
There are exceptions to this though, and they are outlined below.
Vitamin D:
Exclusively breastfed babies should never really need extra vitamins because breast milk contains all the essential vitamins & minerals they require. In recent times though, doctors have become more concerned that breast milk doesn’t contain adequate amounts of vitamin D. You may be prescribed a Vitamin D supplement if your doctor is concerned.
In rare situations where mother and baby receive very little exposure to the sun because of religious or cultural clothing that keeps their skin covered at all times, babies may need extra vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin B12:
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods (fish, meat, eggs & milk). It helps maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells.
Mother’s who breastfeed and are Vegans (eat no animal foods at all), will need to supplement with vitamin B12 while nursing.
Vitamin A, D & C:
Once you get to the toddler stage, many doctors recommend adding supplemental A, D & C vitamins, because of their erratic diets.
Vitamin supplements should be continued until your child eats a consistently, healthy-balanced diet. Some parents continue giving a multi-vitamin for the duration of the child’s life.
Iron:
Babies are actually born with enough iron stored in their body to last for 4-6 months. Once your baby starts eating solids (around the same time their iron supply starts to diminish) they will usually get enough iron from fortified cereal and other foods. Your doctor may suggest vitamin drops if they feel your baby isn’t getting the adequate amount of iron they need through their diet.
Fluoride:
Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in foods like vegetables and grains, and it is added to drinking water in most water supplies. It is essential to the formation of strong and healthy teeth.
If your town doesn’t have fluoridated drinking water, your baby should be given a liquid fluoride supplement to take each day. Too much of the mineral can actually damage the teeth, and because toothpaste contains fluoride, make sure you only use a pea-size amount when brushing baby’s teeth.
As with all concerns, never give any supplements to your child without first discussing them with your health care provider or pediatrician. The above recommendations are for healthy, full-term babies. Premature or low-birth weight babies and babies with certain medical conditions will have their own special nutritional needs and requirements.
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