Should You Consider a Vitamin Supplement for Your Infant?
If you are considering a vitamin supplement for your infant, you should check with your pediatrician. Some mothers who breastfeed are concerned about their babies not getting enough vitamin D as there isn’t much vitamin D in breast milk. Infant formula is fortified with vitamins and minerals so babies who are formula fed are already getting vitamin supplements.
The infant formula act of 1980 among other things, specifies minimum nutrient requirements for infant formula. Babies who are on formula full-time are already getting all the vitamins and minerals they need so unless there is an underlying medical condition for which supplements would be necessary, they most likely won’t need any.
If you are breastfeeding your infant, it is important to make sure that you are eating a balanced diet and are not deficient in any vitamins and minerals. While some people erroneously believe that more vitamins can only boost health and well-being, the fact is that more can be toxic so anyone who is considering a vitamin supplement for their infant should seek medical advice first.
The American Association of Pediatrics recommends that babies be kept out of the sun for the first six months but after that, if mom and baby spend just 15 minutes a week in the sun, their bodies will make a sufficient amount of vitamin D.
Unless baby lives in some parts of Alaska or other northern climates where there is little sunlight for months at a time, she most likely wouldn’t need a vitamin D supplement for long, if at all. The RDA for babies is less than for adults, so it’s important to know whether your baby really needs a vitamin supplement at all.
There are certain medical conditions, for infants and adults that prevent or limit the absorption of some vitamins so if your infant does have any medical conditions that warrant the consideration of a vitamin supplement for your infant, check with your pediatrician.
Some pediatricians advocate a fluoride supplement if baby is not getting fluoride through the water supply. Additionally, some pediatricians advocate an iron supplement for infants over four months old. It may be disconcerting to the new mother to hear and read so many different opinions regarding whether or not to choose a vitamin supplement for your infant. That is why only you can make that decision after talking with your pediatrician.
