Baby vitamins

Vitamins were first discovered in 1911, but it was only in the last 20 years that scientists and researchers have begun to understand the truly significant role they play in our overall health and well-being. With this knowledge has come a focus on improved nutritional intake and the idea that vitamin and mineral supplementation can somehow make up for a poor diet.

The same holds true for infants. In an effort to give our children the best possible start in life many parents consider using a multivitamin for their infants. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, no supplements should be given to newborns who are breast-feeding unless there is a medical indication. Exclusive breast-feeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first six months after birth.

There are, however, several outlying criteria which would indicate that a baby would benefit from the added vitamins and minerals from a supplement. Infants who are born very prematurely may need extra vitamins and minerals which can be added to breast milk before being given to the baby.

Experts do disagree on this matter and in fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics has also changed its mind about the necessary vitamin supplementation which should be offered to infants who are exclusively breast-fed. Today, they recommend giving a baby vitamin D supplementation if they are exclusively breast-fed because of the low amounts of vitamin D which are transferred in breast milk.

Most of today\’s formulas are fortified with vitamin D as well as certain amino acids. So, there is no real reason to supplement an infant with vitamins when they are being bottle-fed. There is some concern about ensuring that a baby gets enough fluoride for teeth development and protection. Usually there is no need for supplementation when bottlefeeding because the city tap water is fluoridated and is what is used to prepare ready to mix formula.

But even the supplementation of fluoride has garnered some negative attention. There are many doctors, scientists and even dentists who are against using fluoride as a supplement because of the possible dangers and long-term effects. Fluoride is actually a toxin that has a reading slightly higher than that of lead. Approximately half of each day\’s fluoride intake will be retained in the body which is what makes it so dangerous.

Fluoride is excreted through the kidneys which makes it dangerous for children, elderly and any person who has impaired kidney function. Also at risk are people who have it immunodeficiencies, diabetes and heart ailments. Interestingly, although we use it as a supplement and dentists paint our teeth with it, The US Public Health Service considers fluoride a toxic waste and states that it makes bones more brittle and dental enamel more porous.

So the bottom line answer to this question is that the decision must be made between parent and pediatrician based on the individual baby\’s circumstances and medical needs. However, a healthy baby born full-term who is exclusively breast-feeding or taking formula will require no immediate vitamin supplementation before the age of six months.