Infant Vitamins

[allismom]

The ped said Kyler should start the tri vi sol vitamins now. I remember when Alli was a baby I gave them to her (for a few months I think) but then after much reading I decided she didn't need them since she was breastfeeding.

I can't remember my research tho. I don't think it was anything harmful about them, I think it was the whole vitamin D thing and the got plenty of it from being in the sun just a short time each week.

Can anybody enlighten me and refresh me on the whole thing? I also didn't know if I should buy with or without iron (ped didn't say) so I assumed without.

[RedOakMomma]

I was just in today for Noah's 2 mo. appointment, and the Dr. said not to give vitamins yet because we are breastfeeding. He said to start them later, once baby is eating solids (4-6 mo.).

[honeybee]

I don't give them at all. Bm is the perfect food.

Unless you were anemic during pg, your baby has plenty of iron to get through the first 6 months to a year, at least. And just a few minutes of sunlight a day is enough for vit D.

Here's some info.
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vi.../vitamins.html

[allismom]

Thanks Honeybee. This is what I thought. My iron levels were good all through my pregnancy. Why do they automatically prescribe this then???

Does the sunlight have to be direct? or is just being outside and getting daylight enough?

[rmzbm]

I agree with honeybee...and, yes, just being out & about will do!!

[HappiLeigh]

Shari, my ped also recommended Vit D drops because the AAP now recommends supplementing breastfed babies with Vit D. (Because they are supposed to get the full amount from sunlight, not from BM.) I said "...um, doctor...but I take her outside *every day*." She laughed and said "I didn't give them to my breastfed baby either!" And she tore up the script.

So I think it's one of those things they just tell you because of the AAP. If you live in a northern/dark climate or your kid never gets sun it might make sense. I think the Vit D is to prevent rickets.

[CawMama]

I just researched this yesterday since our ped told us the same thing. What I found on Kellymom says that as long as the child has 1-2 hours sunlight per week, including from windows, they will produce enough Vitamin D.

I just don't like putting that Poly Vi Sol in his mouth, what nasty stuff...I tasted it. Plus it has artificial flavoring and coloring in it....who needs that? I'm still taking my prenatal vitamins so I'm not worried.