Do breastfeed babies need vitamins, please read?

Christine - posted on 04/29/2011

I have a 22 month old now but I did not give her any vitamins and they gave them to me when she left neonatal and we had to buy them before we could leave but I had 3 other children who breastfeed fine so I never gave them to her either and she is pretty darn heathly.

Kathy - posted on 02/14/2010

Definitely no need for vitamins of any sort. There are very low levels of vitamins in breast milk, but they are present in a far more easily digestible form than formula. Yoiur bub will get sufficient vitamin D with a bit of outdoor time - take bub for a walk.

We've managed without all these extras for thousands of years!

Sarah - posted on 02/11/2010

My midwife, health visitor, doctor and nurse say no need for extra vitamins because as long as i eat healthy my baby gets everything from me. i would get a new doctor if i was you

Nicole - posted on 01/02/2010

weird. my ped said the opposite- breastfed babies don't need vitamins. she was totally supportive of baby led weaning too. I haven't given phoebe any vitamin supplements and she have never been sick at all and is off of the growth charts- she will be fifteen months on monday and hasn't even had a sniffle!

Sheryl - posted on 01/02/2010

No way, you don't need to give your baby anything but breastmilk. You're already giving her everything that she needs. Remember, breastmilk is always a far better choice than formula....it has excactly what your baby needs & all that your baby needs for at least the first 6 months of life. Keep up the good work....you're already doing everything you need to give your baby the best start in life & everything she needs nutrition wise.

Korina - posted on 01/02/2010

That doctor should resign and retrain - she has NO IDEA WHAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT!

:-)

Melissa - posted on 01/01/2010

My ped. also said I needed to give my daughter, at the time a week old, a mulitvitamin. I ran out the day and bought them freaking out that I had not given them to her all along. Then I talked to other women that were naturalist and they laughed at me saying babies don't need anything additional unless there is a deficiny of some sort (which my daughter does not have) after 2 days no more vitamins and she is growing strong and healthy

Dawn - posted on 01/01/2010

NO NO NO, your baby does not need vitamins - they will get everything they need from your breastmilk. The only babies that require vitamins are premies or babies that have had tests and require them. Vitamins in breastmilk are FAR more bioavailable than any suplements.

Get a new doctor and advise them to do some bloody research before spouting rubbish.

dxx

Sophie - posted on 01/01/2010

Sorry but that sounds like a load of rubbish! They get all the vitamins they need from your breastmilk and will let you know when she is ready to wean!! Which may even be later than 6 months

Nicole - posted on 12/20/2009

My Babies doctor and my mother both reiterated that i should give my son Vidalin multivitimin ni water and Zymaflour flouride drops each day - but he never wanted the water and it makes his juice too sweet so i stopped ages ago. infact my son was picking up weight much better while i was just breastfeeding him and taking my own pregnancy multivits and chelated iorn tabs.

i give him purity fruit juice during the day as it's quite hot in South Africa, especially the region i live in - so i have to hydrate him

Tiffany - posted on 12/19/2009

i would go with your instincts maybe get a second opinion because i have always only heard that breast milk is the best for baby and has all the nutrients and vitamins needed

Amanda - posted on 12/19/2009

I just went to the pharmacy and picked up my ten month olds [still breastfeeding, also on some solids] rx for vitamens with iron. The dr office called me after his last visit and they said that the hemoglobin levels in his blood are low and he needed the extra iron. If the dr says there is a physical problem and prescribes somthing to fix the problem then I am inclined to do it.

Kerri - posted on 12/19/2009

don't worry about your Doctors oppinions. That's all they are, oppinions. Your child is healthy and doing well ( he had to ask if you were giving him vitamins, so obviously there is no evidence that he is doing poorly without them, since your Dr didn't know the difference anyways) It sounds like you are doing perfectly well with your baby. I was told to give my sons vitamin D drops because breastmilk doesn't have it, but I never gave it to them and they are healthy strong and happy, smart beautiful ect...You don't need to give them extra vitamins in my oppinion. Keep trusting your instincts and keep up your good work :)

Erica - posted on 12/19/2009

Flouride and iron, NO. I never gave them to my kids as infants. My daughter started 1/2 a flinstone at 2 for low iron but we dont eat red meat. However I do give vitamin D to both my kids. We live in a place that has LOTS of cloud coverage and vitamin D isnt transfered well to breastmilk.

Maggie - posted on 12/18/2009

Well I am not sure if it is bs or not but I was told the same thing and I was given a prescription for vita. around this age. although I never purchased one!! mommy knows best I'm sure!!?

Zirah - posted on 12/18/2009

I never did. I guess I'm a bad mom, but I never saw the point in giving a breastfed baby vitamins. If you're eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of calories and drinking plenty of water, your baby is getting what he needs. I'm not a doctor--like me, you can decide for yourself and your baby.

You can also get some help from the source: http://besthealthcare.blog.com

Karen - posted on 12/18/2009

I was not asked to give my children vitamins while breastfeeding and they have all been healthy. I think as long as you are taking a prenatal vitamin your baby is getting the vitamins they need from you.

Angela - posted on 12/18/2009

Your baby is getting all the nuetients (sp?) he or she needs since you are breastfeeding. They do say that when they get a little older 4 or 5 months that you need to take vitamin D I believe. Becasue at this stage your baby needs more vitamin D. But you are the one who takes it!! Also if your baby seems like he or she is still hunger after you feed him or her then its time to put her on rice cereal. When you do that she will be getting all the iron and other nuetrients she needs. Dont listen to your doctor, you baby can overdose on to much iron/vitamins.

Azizi - posted on 12/18/2009

If you are breastfeeding and you are eating a well balanced diet and taking vitamins then you shouldn't need to give your baby additional vitamins. However, consult with your doctor if you think your baby is deficient in something. Also I found that I needed to take extra calcium pills in addition to what I was getting in my vitamins because my little girl was getting all of those. I noticed that my face started to get white patches and it was because of calcium deficiency which is common with breast feeding. So either way its good for you to take vitamins even if you are giving the baby some while breastfeeding.

D - posted on 12/18/2009

My pediatrician recommended Tri-vi-sol drops. It is vitamins A,C,and D. My baby is one month old and above average in all milestone and personal stats. Giving your baby vitamins is a personal decision as long as everything is normal. Go with whatever your gut tells you to do.

Kathryn - posted on 12/18/2009

Hi
My son was on vitamins but he was prem. I did look into it and breast milk does hae less vitamins in it than formula HOWEVER the vitamins in breast milk are easier for the baby to actually utilise - something to do with the way it is digested. So at about 2 months old I took him off the liquid vitamins - he hated them they tasted terrible and it meant that I had to express and give them to him in a bottle. He then associated bottles with bad tasting ilk and then refused any expressed milk!! He is fit and well without the added vitamins
Hope that helps
Kath

Chelsea - posted on 12/18/2009

Quoting Becky:

Vitamin D is the ONLY vitamin that doesn't pass through breastmilk. I give my baby Vitamin D drops (Poly-vi-sol) to help her get as many vitamins as possible. I think she'd be just fine if I didn't, but I do it to be safe. Vitamin D deficiencies case Rickets disease in otherwise healthy babies. Rickets is actually very common in the US because of Vitamin D deficiencies and causes bone softening which can lead to fractures and deformities. It's up to you what you do, but if it doesn't hurt babies, and can help them have an even smaller chance of getting a disease, it's worth it in my opinion.

According to the Breast Feeding Answer Book put out by La Leche League there is sufficent vitamin D passed through breastmilk.  It is also stated in the book that a mere 30 minutes of exposer to sun light (even througha  window in the house) while clothed is plenty to supply a baby with enough vitamin D.  The book states that Vitamin D supplements should only be used by babies who who have very dark skin and live in a place with extremely limited sunlight.  This pertains to dark skinned babies living in windowless houses or places with little to no sunlight.  

I asked my doctor if the cases or rikets (what happens when there is not enough vitamin D) had decreased after the wide spread use of vitamin D.  The answer was "no".  I asked if there had been an increase in the cases which sparked the wide spread use of Vitamin D and again the answer was "no".  Obviously given this information it is clear that the use of vitamin D is not necissary for the breastfed baby.

Kat - posted on 12/18/2009

Baby breastfed or bottle fed does not need vitamins. For the 1st 6 months especially baby has been surviving on the iron stores that they had been stock piling whilst inside your tummy. At 6 months their iron supplies start to deplete & then need to start eating foods that help with iron. Just like you & I do every day. Lean meats, dairy & veges etc that supply iron. Once solids has started to be introduced their little bodies do start to absorb iron differently & not as well as when exclusively breastfed.. But this is also NO reason to delay starting solids beyond 6 months. Your doctor sounds like a loony tune to me. Breast milk absolutely has iron - I'm astounded she said that. Flouride isn't an issue I think until later when they have teeth & are having sugary foods that are attacking their teeth - and your a long way off that. Is flouride in your water supply where you live - if so, then you needn't worry about that one at all when the time comes.

Georgia - posted on 12/17/2009

What?! That's insane. As long as you're taking your vitamins and your baby is healthy, it's fine. Also, if you have fluoride in your water, then additional fluoride isn't necessary. Because our water in Queensland (Australia) wasn't fluoridated, my doctor recommended I take fluoride tablets which would pass into breastmilk. It was only a small amount. As for Vit D, go outside for 10 minutes with baby! Vitamin D comes from sunshine, which will also help clear up mild jaundice (which both my boys had).

Stephanie - posted on 12/17/2009

and by the way, there is a vitamin drop out there that is exclusively vitamin D. You can get it at most pharmecists - I actually got it through my nutritionist - and that way you don't have to give the baby all the other vitamins or minerals, unless you want to. Iron could make him/her constipated, but other than that, I am not really sure of the harm.

Stephanie - posted on 12/17/2009

the only vitamin that several pediatricians in our life recommended was a vitamin D drop. Otherwise, they said that the baby will get what he or she needs until about 6-7 months when we start solids. They do sell infant multivitamin drops, but I don't know if it is necessary until later on like after 1 or even 2 years. Vitamin D for sure, because your child can get rickets - highly unlikely, but there has been an increasing incidence of it now that nursing is becoming more popular again. Other than that, I think you are doing a great job!

R - posted on 12/17/2009

Quoting Morgan:

We have always given our daughter a vitamin D liquid dose. It's not a lot but for babies that aren't in the sun a lot it's really good to help with bone development. Our breastmilk doesn 't produce enough vitamin D especially for some of us who can't have milk. I did some research as well and thought it was best to give the vitamin D to her, I was never told anything about iron or flouride though.

I was told my our pediatrician that my breastmilk gives my LO everything he needs, but that unfortunately even taking prenatals he still won't get enough Vit D without a suppliment. We live in the north where it's to cold to go outside and get some sun! The American Academy of Pediatrics says all BF babies need is the Vit D and nothing else unless your diet is suspect - then they recommend additional vitamins/minerals.

Becky - posted on 12/17/2009

Oh, and one more thing....yes, babies survived for 100s of years on breastmilk alone (no vitamins) but as I stated before, vitamin D does not pass through breastmilk. The reason babies long ago were perfectly healthy is because those babies were kept outdoors way more and got much more vitamin D than any babies living nowadays. If you take your baby outside everyday and expose their skin (unclothed to the diaper) to the sun for at least 5-10 minutes, then they'll get enough vitamin D......but that's not something most parents want to do (especially when it's cold, of course).

Lisa - posted on 12/17/2009

nope. They don't. I mean, who invented vitamins? we take them because we aren't eating a balanced diet, but if you are, you don't need them either. Babies have been breast fed for thousands of years without fluoride or iron vitamins!! matter of fact, I wouldn't EVER give my children fluoride--it's great for the teeth but it's toxic IN the body. and too much fluoride makes for fluorosis (white or rusty spots on the teeth). I had a dentist student tell me my son had a cavity when it was a white spot that grew in on his tooth. I did my homework and discovered it wasn't a cavity at all. She didn't know what she was talking about.

I'm a bit on the natural side, so I don't even take my kids to the dr. The ONE time I did I was a FTM and even though I KNEW my son didn't have jaundice I listened to them and had the stupid blood tests done. Now i listen to myself. I do research, I learn learn learn and I apply what I know to my life.
I also go with what seems logical. I mean, breast milk is made especially designed to feed an infant exactly what they need...why mess with nature?

Amber - posted on 12/17/2009

It is BS.. Unfortunately many doctors aren't as educated as they should be in the subject of breastfeeding. I was told the same things by the first pediatrician we had, but after doing a lot of research I learned that breastmilk does have fluoride and of course it has iron.. it's just different then the synthetic vitamins. I did not give my children vitamins while breastfeeding, I continue to take prenatals and eat healthy. They are both perfect.

Samantha - posted on 12/17/2009

Babies dont need flouride, but when you nurse you should still continue to take your prenatal vitamins. You dont need to give your baby vitimans like POLY-VI-SOL or TRI-VI-VOL, but you really should consider a Vidamin D drop. Espicially if you live someone cold and your not in the sun a lot. =) My pedatrician told me to give my babies vitamins too. I got a second opinion, and as long as you take ur prenatals all they need is a vitamin d drop.

Melissa - posted on 12/16/2009

The reason behind drs suggesting that is b/c there have been cases of babies having a rare condition where there bones aren't forming like they should and that is caused by lack of Vitamin D. In studies it showed that if you are giving them formula alone or mixed between breast and bottle there Vit. D level is fine, but in the rare case of breastmilk alone, the baby didn't have enough. Hope that answers some of your questions..

Melissa - posted on 12/16/2009

I have breastfed my last 2 girls and nothing was ever said to me about it til this yr. The dr. advised me to give her "PolyViSol" which is made by Enfamil. I tried giving it to her a few times and she absolutely HATES the way it taste and kept spitting it back out. The vitamin that breastmilk lacks is Vitamin D. Its all up to you on what you feel is best for your baby. Mine have been fine, I tried it and she wasn't having it...

Andrea - posted on 12/16/2009

everything a baby needs health wise is already in our breast milk they need nothing more!!! Their is nothing more natural and its made perfectly for baby by nature! I take what doctors tell me with a grain of salt I know whats best for my baby... do they think they were giving multivitamins to babies 100 years ago NO...women breastfed that it... I'm sure the company that makes that multivitamin wants us to believe our babies need it so their product sales increase right?!?!?

Stina - posted on 12/16/2009

A pediatrician telling you that if you aren't starting solids at 5 months you need to give her vitamins? Pretty sure that your baby doesn't need anything but your milk for the first 6 months and then after that you can start introducing solids but the main source of food should be breastmilk for the first year. I would be looking for a new pediatrician who knows more about breastfeeding.

Unless there has been a blood test showing that your baby is anemic, I think you are on the right track. Sounds like you are taking good care of yourself so there is no reason to think your milk would be nutritionally deficient.

My first two children were actually anemic for a little while during thier first year. so it's not unheard of that a breastfed child might be anemic. this was shown by a blood test though- and THEN we supplemented with an iron fortefied multivitamin.

Hannah - posted on 12/16/2009

Your baby gets everything he needs from your breastmilk as long as you are eating healthy!! If you are eating plenty of protein, veggies, ect and he is growing fine then don't worry about it.

Jessie - posted on 12/16/2009

i was told it was the vitamin D that was the issue, i went and got a vitamin supplement that was just the vitamins and nothing else I trid that poly vi sol stuff and it made him constipated, so we went to the health food/ natural& holistic store and got a vitamin that works so much better for him

Heather - posted on 12/16/2009

Well, my doctor said it doesn't give them VitaminD. Which helps when they are older from arthritis and joint pains like arthritis. I don't know if it's a coicidence but my husband and his siblings were breastfed and 2 of the four have problems with their bones. They are just in their 20's too.

Leticia - posted on 12/16/2009

My doc keeps telling me the same thing, although my daughter is in like the 4th precential for height and weight. i just never give her the vitamins. i dont see a use for it. Shes prefectlly healthy, her blood levels are fine. i think its just modern medicine trying to throw one over n us. they never said it about my son (i stopped nursing at 7 mons bc of work/biting ect) and theyve been sayin it bout my daughter since about 7 mons or so. i think its bs .

Becky - posted on 12/16/2009

Vitamin D is the ONLY vitamin that doesn't pass through breastmilk. I give my baby Vitamin D drops (Poly-vi-sol) to help her get as many vitamins as possible. I think she'd be just fine if I didn't, but I do it to be safe. Vitamin D deficiencies case Rickets disease in otherwise healthy babies. Rickets is actually very common in the US because of Vitamin D deficiencies and causes bone softening which can lead to fractures and deformities. It's up to you what you do, but if it doesn't hurt babies, and can help them have an even smaller chance of getting a disease, it's worth it in my opinion.

Joanne - posted on 12/16/2009

wow, good on you :) some people are still quite prudish where breastfeeding is concerned. have a fantastic christmas :)

Jennifer - posted on 12/16/2009

I love my church. EVERYONE breastfeeds and so we have one room that is exclusivly for breastfeeding moms. There are three nice rocking chairs (more like recliners that don't recline), 2 changing tables, a swing and extra diapers and wipes, just in case. That is if you want to go into the other room to do it.. But I have NEVER had anyone ask me to go there before if I didn't want to. Oh, and they feed the meetings into the room via speakers so we don't miss anything.



It was in my husband's family's home that I was asked to leave the room, not in public. I have done it sitting on a curb of the sidewalk at the San Diego Zoo before! Lol

Joanne - posted on 12/16/2009

hmmm, im so glad we have breasxstfeeding laws in scotland...... It is against the law to stop/prevent a breast feeding mum to feed in a publice space, inculding shops and restrunts ect. I do agree that us mums should trust our own bodies though.

Michelle - posted on 12/15/2009

I have breastfed both of my kids. I wouldn't worry too much. My son was/ is slightly anemic. I have to give him iron drops everyday. Keep in mind I have been slightly anemic most of my life, my siblings are, and it turns out my dad is too. Breastfed babies can be anemic. My daughter is perfectly normal though. The multivitamins my doctor has my kids on were trivisol at first, then polyvisol. Neither has flouride in it and I've never heard a doctor suggest that before. The multivitamins fill in any nutritional gaps in your diet. That being said you may not need to give your kid vitamins. My kids take them and it's not a big deal. As for the solids I started my son and my daughter both at around 4 1/2 to 5 months with one 2 oz serving of cereal mixed with breast milk a day. They enjoyed it. It's up to you whether to wait as long as they're getting enough breast milk I wouldn't worry about it.

Wendi - posted on 12/15/2009

No. Babies survived on breast-milk for eons before formula was invented! If you're really concerned, you can take vitamins.

Carmen - posted on 12/15/2009

Thanks everyone!

Jennifer - posted on 12/15/2009

Both my daughters were breast fed until 1 year old. Started both of them on solids (cereal) at 4 months because they were both ravage eaters. I have been to doctors in two states and have NEVER been told to give either of them vitamins. I take my prenatals all the time even if I am not pregnant or breastfeeding as they provide women with what we need most. My youngest and I both have our Iron checked at WIC quarterly and have never had a problem with it. I do take a Vitamin D suplement because my levels are low due to drinking soy milk instead of cows milk, digestive issues, but have never given any to either of my children. The reason people suggest making baby's formula with bottled water instead of tap is because of the flouride. They are not supposed to injest it, thus baby toothpaste being flouride free... Hope all these comments help.



Hey, all of us breatfeeders have been told some crazy story at some point in time. Like it's gross, not natural, boys shouldn't be breastfed, innapropriate to do in public (even if covered up), etc... I am made to leave the room and find the darkest most secluded hole in the house when at husband's family's homes. Have taken to pumping in locked bathrooms and giving baby bottles while there. SO not understood! So, what else is new but to be told our breastmilk does not provide all that our baby needs unlike formula. PLEASE!

Joanne - posted on 12/15/2009

you only need to give vitimans at 6 months if a baby is stillbeing exclusivly breast fed and NOT beig weined. If you are giving baby solids at 6 month and breastfeeding then you don not need to give vitimans.

Hannah - posted on 12/14/2009

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/3/t030900...

that is an article on fluoride.

Hannah - posted on 12/14/2009

NO FLUORIDE!!! NONE!!!

:)

but seriously, your breast milk is doing it's job, as for the vitamin D, the sun will give you and your baby that. 15 minutes of direct sunlight a day will provide you with all that you need! :)

http://www.breastfeed.com/articles/feedi...

Nicole - posted on 01/02/2010

weird. my ped said the opposite- breastfed babies don't need vitamins. she was totally supportive of baby led weaning too. I haven't given phoebe any vitamin supplements and she have never been sick at all and is off of the growth charts- she will be fifteen months on monday and hasn't even had a sniffle!

Zirah - posted on 12/18/2009

I never did. I guess I'm a bad mom, but I never saw the point in giving a breastfed baby vitamins. If you're eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of calories and drinking plenty of water, your baby is getting what he needs. I'm not a doctor--like me, you can decide for yourself and your baby.

You can also get some help from the source: http://besthealthcare.blog.com