The Advantages of Natural Vitamins for Babies

Because of the rapid growth rate of infants and older babies, their need for consistent, balanced nutrition is vital. Ideally, these nutritional needs should be met by providing breast milk, fortified formula and healthy meal choices rich in vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins once then begin eating solid food. However, many babies are fussy eaters, and others require additional nutrients because of specific health issues. This is when it may make sense to explore natural vitamins for babies.

If you are wondering if you should be introducing a vitamin into your baby’s diet, the first step is to discuss your baby’s nutritional needs with your pediatrician. Most likely he or she will have a definitive opinion about the need for a multi-vitamin for babies. Don’t be hesitant to ask if there is truly a reason for vitamin supplementation a. In many cases, they will be getting sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals through breast milk or formula. At this early age, baby food only supplies a small portion of the daily requirements needed.

If supplementation could be beneficial to your baby’s health, you will need to evaluate supplements to determine which one will provide the most optimal benefits. Typically, a natural vitamin for babies is preferable because it will be free of artificial colors, preservatives, sweeteners, and flavors. This type of supplementation is also often free of yeast, wheat, soy, and milk which can be a good choice for babies with food allergies and sensitivities. A multi-vitamin for babies is usually in the form of a liquid drop to make them easy to administer – particularly for infants. These drops, such as Animal Parade Baby Plex Sugar-Free Liquid Drops, can be simply mixed with juice or water.

Keep in mind that the need for supplementation will change as your baby grows. In some cases, a multi-vitamin for babies isn’t necessary once they are receiving the majority of their daily calories from food. But, some older babies who are becoming more active require supplementation to meet their daily requirements. Again, it’s important to discuss these needs with your pediatrician.

Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common deficiencies found in babies, and it is one to specifically watch out for. This is particularly true for infants being breast-fed by malnourished women or those who are lacking sufficient sunlight exposure. If you live in a region where there is minimal sunlight or if you have a baby with darker skin, it’s quite possible that your baby is deficient in vitamin D.

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations for vitamin D supplementation, and now suggests that infants and children have a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Thus, it’s a good idea to specifically check on the labels of natural vitamins for babies to determine if there is sufficient vitamin D.

While it can be somewhat challenging to determine the specific nutritional needs of your baby, it’s a good idea to keep track of their consumption of breast milk, formula, solid foods, and supplements and share this information with your pediatrician. Together, with this information, you’ll have the best chance of creating a nutritional plan that will meet the needs of your baby.