Wondering whether or not your baby needs vitamin supplements?

It depends!

There are a number of variables to consider:

Preemie or Full-Term?

Some premature babies need a little extra oomph in their diets to help them better develop. In those cases, a pediatrician will often recommend supplementing your babies’ diet with vitamin drops. 

Breastfed or Formula?

Formula-fed babies rarely need vitamin supplements, because formula is vitamin fortified.

Winter Baby or Summer Baby?

Even just a little sunshine can provide a nice daily dose of vitamin D, but little babies, especially those born in the Northern cold winter climates, often get very little natural sunlight.

Small infants shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight to begin with, but even a tiny amount of exposure to their face or extremities during a walk around the neighborhood can give them the vitamin D they need.

Unfortunately, in some places, it can be too cold to take an infant strolling outside for days, weeks - even months at a time. If you are in that situation, it might be a good idea to ask your pediatrician if they feel a supplement could help your baby get the vitamin D they need.

Once your baby gets to be a year old, they’ll be able to get their recommended daily dose of vitamin D by drinking fortified whole milk, and it’s likely they won’t need a supplement anymore.

Your Diet

You really are what you eat, and if you are breastfeeding, your baby is too. A daily multivitamin will help maintain the nutritional quality of your breast milk. Make sure it includes plenty of vitamin B12, so your baby can develop a healthy nervous system and stave off anemia.

Skimpy or Solid Eater?

Once your baby enters the dietary realm of solids, you can reexamine the need for a vitamin supplement. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins and minerals, and if your baby eats a little bit of everything, they may be getting more than you think.

If your baby is a hearty, varied eater, it’s likely you can stop giving any supplements.

But if your baby is a picky eater or light eater, or has a dietary restraint or food allergy, you might want to ask your pediatrician if a dietary supplement can help.

Fluoride

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that, depending on the quality of your drinking water, a fluoride supplement might be a good addition to your child’s diet. Studies have shown that young kids who consume fluoride grow to have fewer cavities. Ask your pediatrician what type of supplement - and at what age - would be good to begin.