Babies & vitamins

Crystal - posted on 08/13/2009

I was told to give my son vitamins when breastfeeding. I tried it a few times but they tasted bad and he fought taking them. (I tasted them and they were nasty.) He seemed to do just fine without them.

Christina - posted on 08/13/2009

i have never given my son vitamins and don't plan on it. they get everything they need from bf, a balanced diet, and some sun. i live in san francisco, california.

Erin - posted on 08/12/2009

i live in Alberta , Canada. very cold winters here. my daughter was born in december and was completely bundled on the rare occassion i took her out, usually only if it came up above -40(with the wind chill) i gave her vitamin D drops until spring, now i just take her outside.

Sara - posted on 08/12/2009

I live in the US and I don't give my son any vitamins and have not ever. I was told if you get your child out in the sun for at least 10 minutes a day then they are not at risk for vitamin D deficency. Even during the winter months my pedatrician still said it was not necessary. But I think it depends on the Dr because a few women I know that BF were given drops for their children.

Jocelyn - posted on 08/12/2009

i gave my son vit d drops, for two reasons, he was breastfed, and he was born in winter, in canada, so there was very little sunlight lol. that's the only thing that i was told to give him by my doc. i only did that for a few months tho, i don't quite remember when i stopped the drops, it was before he was 6 months tho...i was never really diligent with them tho lol.

Chelsea - posted on 08/12/2009

I second what Lisa said. What she has stated is accurate and the information about vitamin D in breastmilk is in the La Leche League Answer Book if anyone wishes to verify the source. Infants who are breast-fed DO NOT need extra vitamins. Fluoride does and will cause white spots in your child's teeth as time goes on. That is because there is fluoride in too many things and therefore you infant will get too much.

Minnie - posted on 08/12/2009

I do not give any of my children vitamins, breastfed or not. I trust that my milk is sufficient for my exclusively breastfed daughter (and that she is not at risk for vitamin D deficiency) and that my non-breastfeeding toddler is able to absorb and utilized vitamins and minerals from food sources far better than a supplement. We offer a well-rounded and varied diet.



I don't complicate things with supplements.



It's not very accurate to say that breastfed babies do not get enough vitamin D. Not sure who told you that...(to the above poster)- breastmilk does not have a lot of vitamin D in it, it is true- BUT- we are designed to manufacture the vitamin from skin exposure to the sun.

Tiffany - posted on 08/12/2009

I exclusively bf my daughter until she started solids (and am still bf at 15 months!) and my doctor recommended poly-vi-sol with fluoride. It has vitamin D in it, which babies who are breast-fed do not get enough of. It is just drops that you give the baby. I live in the U.S.