Many adults turn to supplementation to help them tackle nutritional gaps in their diets. But what about babies? Surely baby milk, of all kinds, is the perfect food to meet their needs? Let’s take a closer look and consider whether kids multivitamins are suitable for babies.
Newborns and Nutritional Needs
If a healthy baby is born full-term, it should be able to get its full nutritional needs through breast milk or formula milk for the first six months. Breast milk is considered to be nature’s perfect food, and formula milk is carefully made with a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals to meet every need of a growing baby. Milk continues to be the mainstay of a baby’s diet, even after six months, when solid foods are being introduced.
The Vitamin D Exception
Some parents will choose to add an infant version of kids multivitamins to their baby’s diet if they are on a breast milk diet, as it doesn’t usually contain enough vitamin D. As babies and children increase their dietary range and start to spend time outdoors, vitamin D should become less important. This is only the case if they continue to eat a healthy diet, however.
The Case of Premature Babies
Often premature babies will need extra dietary support such as baby or kids vitamins, which are usually in drop form. Many paediatricians recommend that all children take vitamin drops until they are teenagers.
What Is the Best Children’s Vitamin?
The important nutrients are vitamin D, vitamin K, B12 and iron. B12 can be a useful supplement for babies who are breastfed by vegan mothers. The best approach is to speak to your doctor for advice about whether vitamins are necessary for your baby. You may be given baby drops, which can be added to milk. If your baby spits up the milk after feeding, they will not need an extra dose. This approach can avoid any nutritional deficiencies during these early months, before they are eating a broad spectrum of healthy foods from each food group.
