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Are Baby Vitamins Necessary?

Have you ever wondered if baby vitamins are necessary for infants and toddlers?

Baby Vitamins are needed if your child has nutritional gaps.

I consulted one of my favorite experts on the topic, Dr. Greene, author of Feeding Baby Green: The Earth Friendly Program for Healthy, Safe Nutrition During Pregnancy, Childhood, and Beyond (by reading his book).

The answer is babies and toddlers may need different supplements at various stages of their growth and development. Here is a quick reference of some common stages for supplementation.

Two Weeks to Nine Months

Both breastfed babies and formula fed babies are getting far less sun exposure today than generations before. With the decreased amount of sun comes decreased production of Vitamin D by the skin.

Both Dr. Greene and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplementing an extra 400 IU of vitamin D for babies, not because the food source is inadequate, but because the sun exposure is less than optimal.

Dr. Greene goes on to say that this is a good idea until the child is getting enough from sources such as sun, whole milk, fatty fish and formula.

Adequate vitamin D can decrease your babies risk of type 1 diabetes, cancers, hypertension, osteoporosis and autoimmune and neurological diseases.

Nine to Eighteen Months

If you're still breastfeeding or formula feeding, your baby is getting plenty of vitamins. However, it is still recommended that you supplement Vitamin D because of the lack of direct sun exposure today's children get.

When you stop breast and formula feeding, Dr. Greene recommends giving your baby vitamins in the form of a liquid multivitamin in food or directly. He also suggests making sure the vitamins contain 150 milligrams of omega - 3 fat DHA and 400 IU f Vitamin D.

Eighteen Months to Two Years

By age two your child should be getting 2 oz of lean meat or beans, 1 cup of fruit and 1 cup of veggies, 3 oz of whole grains, and 2 cups of organic milk (or non-dairy equivalent).

If this list of menu items is overwhelming to keep track of then supplementing with a good, liquid multivitamin, 400 IU, vitamin D and DHA can soothe your worries and fill important nutritional gaps.

Two to Eight Years

What about when your child gets older and has a more robust appetite? Dr. Greene recommends giving kids a chewable multivitamin and multimineral throughout these years.

His biggest concern at this age is DHA, which is found in fish. To ensure your child is getting enough, look for vitamins with 150 milligrams of DHA.

This list is a guideline to help you fill the nutritional gaps that are common to children in these age groups. Talk to your child's pediatrician about filling any other needs that may be specific to your child as shown through routine blood work and other symptoms that arise.

For pointers on choosing the best vitamins, read How to Choose Vitamins for Toddlers and Babies.

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