Vitamin Supplements

[Sherilyns]

My ped tried to get us to give our ebf daughter that other-the counter vitamin supplement when she was 3 months old. I looked into it and realized she didn't need it at all (why give an infant dyes and sugar?). She is ahead on most milestones and in the 95thpercentile for height and weight.

Now that she is 6 months old, I have heard that she should get some supplements. I found Nature's Plus Baby Plex. It is sugar, dye, preservative free and has vitamins A, B1, 2, 6 and 12, C, D, and E. http://www.naturesplus.com/products/productdetail.asp?productNumber=29988&category=12

Do you give your infant multi-vitamins? Are there any risks or side affects I should be aware of? Is it something to give her everyday or a few times a week?

She is blw and doing well, but not digesting very much food right now.

[Asiago]

I have not given my son any supplements yet (he is 17 months now).

Below is a quote and link to the Kellymom page on the subject. It states the various reccomendations from AAP.

There are certain cases where a vitamin supplement may be needed for a breastfed baby during the first year, but these cases are the exception, not the rule (see below for specifics)

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamins.html

 

[Knitting Mama]

I totally agree with not giving supplements or vitamins unless they are needed. My daughter is anemic, and while part of me wishes I had given her something around 6 months, I know that she likely would have been anemic anyway given the circumstances of her birth and my own anemia. If you are concerned about any of her vitamin levels, you can ask for her to be tested at your pediatrician's, and move forward from there.

[Snapdragon]

I don't think they need supplements or vitamins this young- my ds is 12 months. Our ped tries to get us to give them to him at every visit! And I really considered it but I totally think it is too toxifying for their systems, in my opinion. I think they can get all their vitamins with a good diet.

[rlee*]

i would say-depending on where you live/how much sun/vitamin d you get--maybe consider vitamin d, available in liquid drops.  vit. d is crucial and essential for optimal health and immunity, strong bones etc.   most people are deficient.  if you ebf up your levels too and still consider supplementing.

[Knitting Mama]

If you do want to do vitamin D, I suggest Carlson D drops--one drop on your nipple once a day before nursing is all it takes. Couldn't be easier!

[Twinklefae]

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama 

If you do want to do vitamin D, I suggest Carlson D drops--one drop on your nipple once a day before nursing is all it takes. Couldn't be easier!

We do the Vit. D drops, they are easy to administer, have no additives or dyes or sugar (because I understand the WTF factor on that!)  but I wouldn't skip them.

[Knitting Mama]

If only they made iron supplements that were so easy for my anemic girl...

[Sherilyns]

Thanks for the advice. I just wish my pediatrician would stop pushing them if it wasn't necessary. 

[Knitting Mama]

Well, here's the thing-- for some babies, I can see there being a problem and vitamins being necessary. Remember, physicians have to be in the business of CYA (cover your a**). They will get sued if they're not. It's like the "rule" that babies need eye goop when they're born just in case the mother had no idea she had gonnorhea, and the baby would then be at risk for serious infections. There are some cases where it happened, so it's just easier to make a blanket rule than it is to go case-by-case.