Vitamins and Minerals for Babies

The need vitamins for infants often a confusing topic. If you are wondering whether your baby need vitamins or not, of course the answer is yes. Your baby needs vitamins to grow well and healthy. He needs it in order to have strong bones, healthy teeth and also to "build" his blood so avoid anemia.

Well, almost all babies get all the necessary vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin A, calcium, iron, etc.) through the intake of foods they consume. So, even though your baby's true needs vitamins and minerals, but they actually do not need a supplement every day, unless he is born premature or have certain health problems.

Overview of Vitamins and Minerals

Many parents assume that the vitamins will be met in full only by consuming vegetables and fruits. This opinion is not appropriate. Actually, vegetables and fruits contain only some types of vitamins, like vitamin C, E, K and some types of vitamin B.

For vitamin A, B6, B12 and D, can usually be obtained through animal sources like liver, milk and other dairy products.

While the minerals needed by the body can be obtained from foods such as salt, fish, shrimp, squid, as well as milk and other dairy products.

Newborns

For newborns, the need for vitamins and minerals will be met through breast milk. so, if you want your baby to get enough vitamins and minerals, you can simply increase the quality of your milk, by eating a sufficient and balanced composition. If needed, a physician referrals you can just take vitamin supplements.

How to Determine Whether Your Baby Requires Supplements or Not?

Actually it all depends on the baby's condition in question - whether he received breast milk or formula from birth, whether he was born under normal conditions or premature, whether he has a medical disorder, and so on.

If your baby is born premature or have certain health problems, please consult with your pediatrician if it requires a certain supplement or not. Later, when he grew bigger and started to consume more food, the doctor usually will evaluate further whether he still need a supplement.

For a healthy baby and in time of exclusive breastfeeding, there is still much debate about whether or not to supplement. Most said is completely unnecessary. Some health experts say, even if need be, at most you only provide enough vitamin D supplements - 400 IU per day, on the grounds of the baby not getting enough vitamin D intake through breast milk.

According to those who argue the need for extra vitamin D for infants is exclusive breastfeeding in the program, it is different with infants consuming infant formula from the beginning. He no longer require additional vitamin D, because usually these elements are contained in infant formula.

Conclusion

Basically, up to age 6 months, exclusive breast-fed babies do not need supplements. To note precisely the diet of the mother. Ensure that breastfeeding mothers consume enough foods containing vitamin B12 (to prevent anemia in children), iron (also associated with anemia), zinc, and calcium. Even if required, then the mother could have been taking a multivitamin-mineral supplement. Of course with physician referrals.

After 6 months of age, if your baby does not have trouble eating a variety of foods with a sufficient amount for his age, then vitamin supplements are not needed. The new supplement to be an alternative when your baby is really hard to eat or have a chronic health problem. Please consult with your pediatrician.

Be careful, do not consume a multivitamin-mineral supplements without a doctor's direction, because it could be your baby receive the excess of vitamin A and zinc (zinc) ...

Posted in: Food News,Toddler food