Nutritional care for infants is always one of the top priorities of parents. Adequate vitamin supplementation not only helps children grow healthily but also supports the immune system and other body functions. In this article, we will learn why vitamin supplements are needed for infants, which vitamins are necessary, and special cases to note.
Why do babies need vitamin supplements?
For babies, supplementing nutrients is extremely necessary because during this period, the baby’s immune system is still weak and incomplete. Although breast milk is the main and ideal source of nutrition for babies, there are vitamins that the baby’s body cannot synthesize enough of, or breast milk does not provide enough of the necessary amount, so babies will need to supplement vitamins and minerals to ensure the baby’s growth and comprehensive development. Some of the main reasons for vitamin supplements for babies include:
- Supporting the immune system: Vitamins such as A, C, D help strengthen the immune system, protecting babies from infections.
- Developing bones and teeth: Vitamin D and calcium are essential for the development of bones and teeth.
Nervous and brain function: B vitamins, especially B6 and B12, support the development of the nervous system and brain. - Prevent anemia: Vitamin B12 and folic acid help prevent anemia, a common problem in young children.
In fact, parents are not required to supplement vitamins for babies under 6 months old. The reason is that during this period, babies are mainly breastfed, and if necessary, they can be supplemented with formula milk. Many studies have shown that breast milk provides almost all the nutrients (including vitamins and minerals) necessary for the baby’s development. However, in some specific cases such as premature babies, low birth weight babies, babies with health problems or breastfed babies whose mothers are vegetarians, supplementing vitamins and minerals for babies is very necessary.
What vitamins should newborns take?
Vitamin D is important for bone and tooth development. According to experts, newborns need 400 IU of vitamin D daily from birth, especially those who are exclusively breastfed, because breast milk often does not provide enough vitamin D.
Newborns use vitamin D to absorb calcium and help strengthen bones and teeth. In addition, this vitamin for newborns also plays an important role in the immune system, helping to prevent infections. If your baby is deficient in vitamin D, he or she is at risk of rickets, a disease that can negatively affect musculoskeletal development, causing slow growth, unusual pain or bone deformities such as bow legs.
You can supplement vitamin D for breastfed newborns by letting them sunbathe. However, do not expose your baby directly to harsh sunlight. If you take your baby outside, cover him or her up and apply sunscreen to protect him or her from harmful UV rays. Only let your baby sunbathe in the early morning, when the sun is at its mildest. Babies who are fed formula containing vitamin D (at least 400 IU) do not need additional vitamin D supplements.
Sunbathing is a way for children to supplement vitamin D.
Vitamin A helps improve vision, boost the immune system, and support the growth of tissues and skin. Infants need about 400-500 mcg of vitamin A per day. Additional sources of vitamin A can be from vitamin A-rich foods or vitamin supplements for children.
Good dietary sources of vitamin A include: fortified dairy products, carrots, sweet potatoes, dark green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, and broccoli.
Vitamin supplements containing vitamins A and C are recommended for infants and children aged 6 months to 5 years, unless they consume more than 500ml of formula per day.
Vitamin A is important for infants.
Vitamin K is one of the vitamins that need to be supplemented for breastfed infants in particular and newborns in general. When they are born, newborns have low levels of vitamin K in their bodies and breast milk only provides a small amount of this vitamin to breastfed infants.
Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting and preventing bleeding. Newborns are often given a dose of vitamin K immediately after birth to prevent hemophilia, a rare and dangerous disease. After that, the baby will no longer need to supplement this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 is essential for the development of the nervous system and the production of blood cells. In particular, newborns of vegetarian mothers are at higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency and need to be supplemented through multivitamins.
Vitamin B12 keeps the body’s nerves and blood cells healthy, and helps create DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia, which can leave people feeling tired and weak.
Vitamin B12 is not found in plant foods, so breastfeeding mothers who follow a strict vegan diet will need to supplement their diet with vitamin B12 to ensure that both they and their babies are getting enough of the vitamin.
Vitamin C helps boost the immune system, improve iron absorption, and maintain healthy skin. Newborns need about 40-50 mg of vitamin C per day, which can be obtained from breast milk or from vitamin C-rich food sources when they start eating solid foods.
- Iron Supplements for Newborns
Iron is a mineral that plays a role in creating red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Babies are likely to become anemic if they do not get enough iron. Iron deficiency anemia sometimes has no symptoms or manifests itself through pale skin, a rapid heartbeat, poor appetite, and poor physical condition. Long-term iron deficiency can also cause problems with muscle and brain development.
If your baby is both breastfed and formula-fed and breastfed more than half the time, he or she will also need iron supplements. Babies who drink formula do not need iron supplements if the formula has enough iron.
What special supplements should children take?
The above suggestions are for full-term breastfed babies. However, there are still cases of premature babies with health problems. Depending on the condition, some children will need nutritional supplements such as:
- Premature babies
Premature babies cannot store as much iron as other babies. Therefore, they need more vitamins and minerals that breast milk or formula cannot provide. The type and dosage of mineral supplements depend on the time of birth and the health of the baby.
Premature babies often have higher vitamin needs due to incomplete development. Supplementation of vitamins such as A, D, E and K is necessary to support development and growth.
- Breastfed babies whose mothers are malnourished or vegetarian
If the mother has an inadequate diet, especially lacking in essential vitamins, the baby is also at risk of vitamin deficiency. In this case, it is important to give your child a multivitamin.
Meat and dairy products are the main sources of vitamin B12. So if you follow a vegan diet, your breast milk may not contain enough of this vitamin. You may need vitamin B12 supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, breastfed babies may also need extra vitamin B12 if their mother’s vitamin B12 levels are too low.
- Children with chronic illnesses or health problems
Children with chronic illnesses such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, or other digestive diseases may have difficulty absorbing nutrients. Special vitamin supplements are necessary to ensure that they get the amount they need for growth.
Children born with health problems may need iron supplements or other vitamins and minerals from the start. Knowing your child’s specific medical conditions will help your doctor determine which supplements your child needs.
Provide children with adequate vitamins and minerals for healthy development.
Conclusion
Vitamin supplementation for infants is an important step to ensure healthy and comprehensive development of children. Vitamins such as D, A, K, B12 and C all play an important role in supporting the immune system, bone and tooth development, and other bodily functions. In particular, in special cases such as premature babies, babies with malnourished mothers, children with chronic diseases, and vegetarian children, vitamin supplementation becomes even more important. Always consult your doctor or nutritionist to have the most suitable and safest supplement options for your child.
Nutritional care for infants is not only a task but also an investment in the healthy future of the baby. Hopefully, through this article, parents will have more knowledge and confidence in taking care of their beloved children.
