Baby Vitamin Guide -Few Supplements Usually Needed
Are you wondering whether to give your baby vitamin supplements?
Usually, if your baby is healthy and not premature, supplements are not needed except for possibly Vitamin D. (Mom, on the other hand, may benfit from vitamin supplements,
both during pregnancy and post pregnancy.
Instead, learn which vitamins are important, in what foods you can find them and what health effects they may have.
Did you know that many of the essential baby vitamins can be found in fruits? Very convenient for picky eaters.
So, learn a bit about vitamins and try to vary your baby's food (and your own) to get a bit of everything over time.
Where to find it:
Liver, carrots, sweet potato, egg yolks, full-fat dairy goods, oily fish, apricots, mango
Health effects:
Good for the eyes including night vision; protects against respiratory infection; promotes growth; encourages healthy skin, bones, teeth and gums; an antioxidant that protects against heart disease and cancer.
Vitamin A is basically the only vitamin that becomes dangerous if overdosed.
Deficiency is quite unlikely since so many foods are rich in either pre-formed vitamin A or its precursor, beta carotene.
Where to find it:
Whole grains, oatmeal, vegetables, dried yeast, liver, pork, peanuts
Health effects:
Provides energy by helping cells to convert sugars to energy; aids carbohydrate digestion; helps nervous system, muscles, heart and mental function; reduces stress.
Deficiency is rare except in alcoholics, since alcohol excess impairs absorption of thiamin.
Where to find it:
Leafy green vegetables, seafood, yoghurt, liver, cottage cheese, milk, tofu, almonds, sweet potato, egg, quinoa and amaranth
Health effects:
Promotes growth, healthy hair, skin and nails; helps to metabolize carbohydrates, fats and proteins; stress handling. Also essential for red blood cell production
Deficiency is rare in developed countries.
Where to find it:
Lean meat, wheat germ, figs, dates, avocados, fish, seafood, eggs, whole wheat produce, brewer’s yeast, fortified cereals and pasta, wild rice, peanuts and peanut butter, potato
Health effects:
Essential for sex hormones, thyroid hormone, insulin, cortisone and glucose tolerance. Necessary for the nervous system and brain; helps metabolism and energy; keeps blood fats balanced.
Deficiency rare in developed countries. It's added to a lot of fortified foods and the body can manufacture B3 from tryptophan, an amino acid found in many protein foods.
Where to find it:
Whole grains, wheat germ, bran, crude molasses, nuts, green vegetables, chicken, egg yolks, meat and liver
Health effects:
Vital for the adrenal glands; aids the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy; helps manufacture antibodies; promotes wound healing.
Health effects:
Produces red blood cells needed to help absorb Vitamin B12 and to aid protein metabolism. Also boosts immune system, and helpful in building brain's neurotransmitters.
Deficiency rare since B-6 found in most protein foods. If you're a vegan, make sure to include for example avocado and banana into your diet.
Where to find it:
Liver, beef, pork, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk and cheese
Health effects:
Promotes growth; improves concentration and encourages a healthy nervous system.
For breastfed babies, who's mom is vegan, a vitamin supplement (for mom) may be needed. According to AAP, if mom's diet is not adequate (including supplements) in B12, baby vitamin supplements should be considered.
Of course, the same goes if you plan to raise your baby as a vegan (eating no animal products at all).
If you think this might be your case, ask your baby's healthcare provider for advice.
Where to find it:
Citrus fruits, strawberries, green leafy vegetables, cantaloupes, sweet peppers, cauliflowers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, kiwi, bean sprouts, melons, spinach. broccoli, cabbages, turnips, liver, strawberries
Health effects:
Healthy immune system; anti-viral and anti-bacterial; boosts formation of skin, bone, cartilage and connective tissue including gums and blood vessels; needed to help the body cope with stress. Is an antioxidant; helps iron absorption, promotes wound healing.
Where to find it:
Sardines, herrings, tuna, egg yolks, fish oils, dairy produce, breast milk and formula. However, the major source of D vitamin is the body's own production when exposed to sunlight.
Health effects:
Needed for bone and teeth formation since it promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus; works with vitamins A and C to prevent colds. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to rickets.
Because of growing bones, children need more vitamin D than adults. Baby vitamin D supplementation is often recommended in northern latitudes, such as Canada and Scandinavia.
Health effects:
One of the three most important antioxidants (together with vitamin C and beta carotene); protects cell membranes; helps prevent scarring; anticoagulant; and protects against chlorinated water.
Where to find it:
Deep green leafy vegetables, carrots, egg yolks, apricots, pumpkin, beans, avocado, whole wheat, rye, cantaloupes, asparagus, papaya, fortified cereals
Health effects:
Necessary to help the body use proteins and carbohydrates; forms antibodies; necessary in red blood cell production; and protects against neural tube defects early in pregnancy.
