What Parents Need to Know about Vitamin Supplements for Infants

As a new parent, you are undoubtedly full of questions about how to care for your baby. From sleeping to eating, your baby’s needs are changing daily, and it can be challenging to figure out exactly what they need, when they need it. One of the most common questions concerns vitamin supplements for infants. Do they need them? And, if so, what type is best, and how often should they be given?

Both formula-fed and breast-fed babies require a wide range of vitamins and minerals. And, it can be challenging to ensure that they are receiving adequate amounts – particularly when they are not yet consuming solid foods.

The following provides some guidelines on vitamin supplements for infants, and when it might be necessary to give your baby a formula designed specifically for infants.

Vitamin D
While the body does make its own vitamin D with exposure to sunlight, infants and toddlers who are kept out of the sun and who are using sunscreen could be at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. Because almost all infant formulas contain vitamin D, most formula-fed babies do not need additional supplementation. However, babies who are exclusively breast fed may require vitamin D drops to receive their daily requirement. Many of the best infant vitamins, such as Animal Parade Baby Plex Sugar-Free Liquid Drops, will contain vitamin D to ensure that this nutritional requirement is being met.

Iron 
Iron is necessary for both growth and development in infants and toddlers. Breast milk supplies ample amounts of iron for a baby’s first six months. However, additional iron is required after that and can be consumed in iron-fortified cereals, dark leafy vegetables, and meat. Most formulas are iron-fortified and can be used throughout the first year of life. Thus, it is rarely necessary to provide iron in the form of a supplement for an infant or toddler. Before doing so, it is very important to consult with your child’s pediatrician.

Once Solid Foods Are Introduced
Most babies begin eating some amounts of food at around four to six months. First starting with iron-fortified cereals, and then progressing on to fruits, vegetables, and meats in the form of pureed foods, some babies will develop significant food preferences and aversions that make it necessary to add vitamin supplements for infants.

Infant and toddler nutritional formulas typically contain balanced amounts of:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Vitamin B-6
• Vitamin B-12

The percentage of daily value (DV) should not exceed 150% for one vitamin to prevent a possible overdose. And, it is never a good idea to give an infant, toddler, or young child a vitamin supplement for adults. Vitamin supplements for infants are formulated with amounts that meet the needs of small, but growing bodies.