Do Exclusively Breastfed Babies Need Extra Vitamin or Minerals Supplementation?

A new born infant is in need of various nutrients and vitamins necessary for its mental and physical growth; for the development of healthy bones, teeth, blood and to prevent anaemia. Any deficiency due to lack of vitamins and minerals can result in delayed motor development, physical growth or even illness in the baby. Usually, healthy term infants who are exclusively breastfed do not need any extra vitamins or mineral supplementations, basically because they are either already born with them or are provided with them from their mother’s milk. Sometimes, the doctor may recommend giving the baby additional supplements of minerals and vitamins due to medical reasons. Also, before deciding to add extra vitamins to the baby’s diet, it is always best to discuss with the doctor.

Exclusively breastfeeding mothers should take care of their diet by drinking enough fluids, especially water; they should also consume a well-balanced and varied diet that ensures an adequate calorie intake. Vegetarian mothers should take special precautions in their diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding to make up for lacked vitamins from animal sources. These mothers require extra vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and calcium to avoid producing deficiencies in their babies; vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to loss of appetite, regression in motor development, lethargy, muscle atrophy, vomiting or blood abnormalities. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products like fish, meat, eggs and milk and is important to maintain healthy nerve cells and red blood cells. Mothers should ask their doctors or health care experts about the need to use vitamin B12 supplements or add it to their diet in the form of yeast or soybean foods and they can also discuss the option of adding vitamin B12 supplements to their baby’s diet. Vegetarian mothers who don’t eat diary products will face lack of calcium and they must compensate for it by consuming diary products during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Apart from diary products like cheese, milk, yogurt etc., foods rich in calcium include sesame seeds, blackstrap molasses, tofu, collard greens, spinach, broccoli, turnip greens, kale, almonds and Brazil nuts.

Vegetarian mothers are also low on Vitamin D but supplements can be avoided since mothers and babies get enough exposure to the sun to make up for it. Vitamin D deficiency can cause a condition in the baby called rickets. Although, the intake of extra vitamins for exclusively breastfed babies is a controversial topic since breast milk is supposed to provide the baby with all necessary vitamins, the American Association of Paediatrics recommend that the baby should be given vitamin D supplements in the first months of life. In places where exposure to sunlight is not accessible or clothing can interfere with the exposure, mothers and babies can compensate by taking sufficient supplements.

As far as iron is concerned, babies are born with iron stored in their body which can last up to 4 to 6 months. This is also the time around which babies are introduced to solid foods and they can get iron at this time from iron rich cereals and other foods. Other sources of iron include meat, iron-fortified infant cereal, egg yolk, tofu, lentils or other legumes; iron supplements can be used as well in the form of drops if the child is not consuming enough iron through the diet. Iron is an extremely important mineral and its deficiency can lead to anaemia, learning problems, developmental delays and behavioural problems.

Fluoride is another important mineral essential for healthy and strong teeth of the baby, it is found in grains and vegetables and in most water supplies. Once the baby is six months old, a small amount of fluorinated water can be added to the baby’s diet; if water supplies don’t have fluoride then fluoride supplements should be used. Too much fluoride can actually damage the teeth so its use especially when using tooth paste should be limited.

All vitamin supplements should be used in limited amounts since their excessive use can cause severe health problems. It is suggested that mothers regularly nurse to maintain a healthy milk supply with all its natural vitamins. They can also use breast pumps to express milk, an activity that can also encourage milk production; breast pumps like Medela Style and Medela Pump in Style Advanced are two popular pump readily available in the market. Even for health term infants, all vitamin supplements are subject to the doctor or health care expert’s approval. It is also recommended that natural food sources for these vitamins be discussed with the doctor.

Tag:Breastfeed baby|Breastfeeding

Parenting Tags: