Which Multivitamin is Best For Baby?

The following post is a guest post written by Christine H. from MADE OF, the first organic baby product company that certifies every product and shares every ingredient. Today she is sharing vital information about vitamins for babies; when supplementation is necessary, the benefits of providing vitamins to your baby and examples of which vitamins are great for babies. 

Which Baby Multivitamin with Iron for Baby to Use?

Many mothers breastfeed their baby mother’s milk because it is the best source of nutrients in baby’s beginning months. However, although breastmilk is best for your baby, there are two nutrients that are missing in breastfed babies - Iron and vitamin D. Breastmilk alone does not have adequate amounts of iron, and vitamin D. Iron plays a role in your baby’s brain development and production of healthy red blood cells, plus it prevents them from suffering from anemia. [1]
Vitamin D, on the other hand, supports strong bones and teeth.  Exposing your infant to sunlight may help them receive vitamin D. However since your baby has sensitive skin, this is not recommended. Some doctors suggest that breastfed babies receive a supplement of vitamin D. To protect your little one from vitamin D deficiency, you should give them a good supplement as advised by your pediatrician. [2]

What to Look for in Children’s Vitamins

Breastfed or formula-fed babies during their first six months may receive the vitamins and minerals that they need, except for vitamin D, which needs to be supplemented. Once your baby changes his or her diet from liquid to solids, your pediatrician may or may not recommend the use of supplements since your baby may get the necessary nutrients from the food that they are eating. 
There are some infants that require additional nutrients, A pediatrician may recommend the use of supplements as in the case of preterm infants, low birth weight, drinking inadequate amounts of milk, or your baby’s size is small for their gestational age. A mother’s diet may also play a part in the absence of nutrients in your child. Here are some supplements that may be recommended.

• Vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you should supplement your baby with 400IU of vitamin D per day. [3]
• Vitamin B12 . This vitamin is necessary for the development of the nervous system as well as preventing anemia from occurring. This is typically found in meat, milk, fish, and poultry. If you are not eating much meat while you are breastfeeding, you can give it in supplement form to your baby or go for fortified foods. 
• Iron. Although formula, as well as breastmilk, contain iron, parents should look for foods with this mineral once your baby starts eating solid foods. For instance, iron-rich foods like pureed legumes or iron-fortified cereal are popular choices.

Best Baby Multivitamin with Iron for Baby

Are you looking for the best baby multivitamin with iron for your baby? The good news is that there is no shortage of supplement choices of vitamins and minerals with iron in the market today.  However, having to sort through all the brands out there can be tough. That said, we have compiled a list of baby supplementation products that are popular for baby. 

• Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Multivitamin with Iron. Aside from being a multivitamin, this product includes an iron supplement to support your baby’s growing needs, including developing a robust immune system, better eyesight, and healthy bones and teeth. This multivitamin is made with agave syrup, a natural sweetener. This can make it easier for your baby or toddler to ingest the essential nutrients that they need via iron drops or through their fruit juice. It also comes with 9 essential vitamins that are critical for your baby’s growth, which includes vitamins A, C, as well as D, along with a good does of iron. 
• Enfamil Poly Vi Sol with Iron. These multivitamins for babies are designed to meet the nutritional needs of your infant or toddler. This is a good vitamin supplement for kids who are transitioning from liquid to solid foods, are picky eaters, or children experiencing growth spurts. These drops deliver the right dosage of vitamin D as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for breastfed infants and toddlers who are drinking less than 17 fl oz of breastmilk or formula milk each day. There are 8 vitamins plus iron included in this product, and because it is fruit flavored, the taste is palatable for your baby. 
• NovaFerrum Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers. This supplement is another option for the best baby multivitamin with iron for baby, as it delivers a healthy dose of iron for infants and toddlers. It is a favorite among parents who choose to avoid certain ingredients, as this supplement, it is free from any sugar, lactose, peanuts, paraben, alcohol, tree nuts, and soy ingredients. There are 8 essential vitamins and minerals included as well. ​

Does Your Baby Need Multivitamins?

Parents often ask whether their baby needs multivitamins as they progress from liquids to solids. As long as your baby has a well-blanaced diet, you don’t have to worry too much about supplementation. The American Academy of Pediatricians doesn’t recommend children to be given supplements beyond the recommended dietary allowances, especially when their needs are met by eating vegetables and fruits.  
Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule. Multivitamin supplements are sometimes given to children who are: 

• Following a vegan diet
• Extremely picky with their food
• Recently had surgery that affects their stomach or intestines
• Has celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, or cancer

Kids whose parents choose a plant-based diet may be at a higher risk of an iron deficiency, or a deficiency of zinc, calcium, or vitamin D. If specific nutrients are missing from your child’s diet, such as vitamin B12, and it is not replaced by fortified foods or supplements, their health can be compromised.

Benefits of Multivitamins for Babies

Are you still wondering why you need to give a multivitamin with iron for baby? Well, here are a few reasons why you should discuss this idea with your doctor. 

• Stronger bones and brighter smiles. One of the reasons that a multivitamin with iron for baby may be recommended is that multivitamins help deliver vitamin D as well as calcium. These are needed for babies to develop strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D and calcium are essential during their developmental years, as this is the time when bones and teeth are developing. 
• Fill up the gaps. As soon as your baby transitions from an infant to toddler, there may be some gaps in their nutrition. Multivitamins are designed to correct any nutritional gaps to ensure that your baby is receiving the right amount of nutrients. Since toddlers can be picky eaters, the nutrients that they are receiving may be lacking. With the right supplement, their overall health will not be compromised. 

Giving your baby a multivitamin with iron, as recommended by your doctor, is one way of ensuring that your little one is receiving the proper nutrients at this critical stage. Otherwise, there is a chance that the food they are eating may not be enough to deliver the calcium, vitamin D, and iron levels that they need. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Vitamin-Iron-Supplements.aspx
2. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/vitamin-d.html
3. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0715/p196.html

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