16 Replies
There is no need to give vitamin supplement to a healthy, full-term breastfed baby in the first year. In fact, there are studies that have shown that most vitamins, fluoride, iron, water, juice, formula and solid foods are not beneficial to healthy breastfed babies during the first six months, and some can even be harmful. Typically, supplements are gien to very premature babies. Also, vitamin K injection could be given to reduce risk of hemorrhagic disease and doctors may suggest vitamin D supplementation if such a need arises. Here’s an article with a comprehensive list of vitamins and minerals requirement of a baby: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamins/ You can also refer to this article for a quick summary of answers to the commonly asked questions on supplements for babies: http://sg.theasianparent.com/are-supplements-for-babies-really-needed/
There is no need to give vitamin supplement to a healthy, full-term breastfed baby in the first year. In fact, there are studies that have shown that most vitamins, fluoride, iron, water, juice, formula and solid foods are not beneficial to healthy breastfed babies during the first six months, and some can even be harmful. Typically, supplements are given to very premature babies. Also, vitamin K injection could be given to reduce risk of hemorrhagic disease and doctors may suggest vitamin D supplementation if such a need arises. Here’s an article with a comprehensive list of vitamins and minerals requirement of a baby: http://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamins/ You can also refer to this article for a quick summary of answers to the commonly asked questions on supplements for babies: http://sg.theasianparent.com/are-supplements-for-babies-really-needed/
I honestly believe that breastfed babies do not need supplements as most of the nutrients that they require are already found in the breastmilk. With the exception of Vitamin D, the other nutrients and vitamins are sufficient from the breastmilk. Otherwise, if you feel that you lack of a certain nutrient e.g. calcium, you can speak to your gynae and he would be able to advise and recommend to you better
Personally, I am not giving my son any extra supplements as I find that breast milk or formula milk provides just about everything a baby needs. There may be exceptions, in perhaps, prematured babies, babies who are low in birth weight or doesn't drink enough milk. If you want to give your baby supplements, you can consider giving your baby iron supplements, vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and DHA.
If your baby have started solids food already, you can actually get the nutrients from wholefood, i.e. vegetables and fruits. Vitamin supplements are artificially made and it will burden little one's kidney if take in large amount. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2376893/Multivitamin-studies-supplements-harm-good.html
I didn't give any supplement to my baby when she was breastfeeding. Yes, later on, when she was two or three, her PD did prescribed syrups that had multivitamins, and that too when she was getting chest infection too often. I think, breast milk has all the essential nutrients that a baby requires in the initial few months.
Vitamins and supplements are synthetically made. I would like to suggest you to let your kid to consume wholesome food, i.e. vegetables and fruits which contains necessary nutrients and vitamins for our body. Consuming too much of artificial vitamins will burden the kidney and do more harm than good.
Breast-fed babies get vitamin D from their mom’s milk. However, if you are low in vitamin D, your baby may not be getting enough of this vitamin. Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level. If they are low, talk with your doctor about a vitamin D supplement for you and for your baby.
I prefer to consume the supplements if needed and feed it to my baby through breast milk instead of feeding my baby directly. Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies needed for a baby's growth but if the mother has a poor diet, the body will use up its reserves.
You may need Vitamin D supplements. While breastmilk can provide the nutrients a baby would need until 4-6 months of age, it doesn't provide adequate Vitamin D. Talk to your pedia about it. :)