Does Your Infant Need a Vitamin Supplement for Optimum Health and Growth?

Do you have questions about your infant’s nutritional needs? Are you unsure whether or not to provide a vitamin supplement for your infant? It is up to parents to provide the proper nutrition their babies need, and a few simple guidelines can help ensure their healthy growth and development.

Supplements for Breast-Fed Babies

Unless your pediatrician has recommended one, a vitamin supplement for your infant is more than likely unnecessary. Mothers who breastfeed infants and provide no infant formula may be concerned about vitamin D. Research has shown that breast milk does not contain adequate vitamin D to support the nutritional requirements of infants. Pediatricians generally prescribe a D vitamin supplement for your infant if breast milk is the sole source of nutrition. It is extremely important that the supplement be administered to your baby as advised.

Providing some formula in addition to breast milk reduces the risk of vitamin D deficiency and makes a vitamin supplement for your infant unnecessary. Thanks to The Infant Formula Act of 1980, all formulas are now required to be fortified with vitamins and minerals babies need, including vitamin D. Additional vitamin supplements are unnecessary for formula fed babies, unless your doctor determines and recommends otherwise.

Breastfeeding mothers should take care to ensure they are taking in enough vitamins and minerals to support their own and their infant’s nutritional requirements. In particular, vegetarian or vegan moms may require a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement to ensure adequate intake of B12, iron, zinc and calcium.

Fluoride Supplements for Strong Teeth

At age 6 months, babies should receive supplements of the mineral fluoride to strengthen teeth if they do not regularly consume it from drinking water sources. Your town or city’s water department can inform you of the fluoride content of your tap water: .3 parts fluoride per million is the minimal recommended level below which a supplement should be provided.

Food Sources for Baby’s Nutrition

Once your infant begins to consume solid foods, a well balanced diet should provide all of the vitamins and minerals your baby needs. Many foods are fortified to provide even more nutrition to the benefit of babies and children. Finicky eaters or babies with small appetites for solid foods may need a vitamin supplement for added nutritional support. Babies who fail to thrive, lose weight, or fail to gain in adequate amounts may require a vitamin supplement. Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about your baby’s intake of nutrients at any point in time.