My son is 9 weeks old and exclusively breastfeeding. With my first child, I didn't know you were "supposed to" give vitamins this young. (And he didn't appear to have any ill effects.) Now the doctor says babies should get vitamin D. She actually recommended the Emfamil vitamin that includes vitamins A, C, and D. My baby hates getting them. He seems like he's choking as he's swallowing it and he cries hysterically. I either have to give him a bath or nurse him afterwards just to calm him down. And I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but he has spit up profusely shortly after getting his vitamin the last 2 days. Is this vitamin really necessary? My son isn't in the direct sun very much because he has very light skin as I do and I worry about sunburn. But I take a prenatal vitamin every day. Are all breastfeeding moms out there giving vitamins? Can I at least find vitamin D alone without the others or is it important he takes it all? Any advice on giving it easier?
Thanks,
M.
My doctor told me that if I had heard that advice, that it was not necessary and that the baby would get if from me. I like the idea of Barefoot Mama.
I'm breastfeeding my 12 week old. Just recently they reported that as long as the mother takes in 6000 IU's of Vitamin D, your child will get it in your breastmilk. I've been taking 5000 and making sure I spend some time outside each day. I'd rather the baby get it from me, than put it directly in their mouth. Here's some more info- http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/chicago/is-b....
I would honestly not worry about the rest, unless he is showing signs of some kind of deficiency, or if you are not eating a healthy diet. Breastmilk is really all babies need. And yes, the vitamins do taste terrible and have some unhealthy additives in them. Don't worry- just keep giving your baby all that great milk, and he'll be fine. :)
T.
Barefoot Books Ambassador
www.ReadandGrow.com
I nursed and did not have to give my daughter any extra vitamins (I took pre-natal viatamins and that was apparnetly enough). Check with your doctor but I believe that 10 minutes in the sun a day gets you plenty of vitamin D.
Good luck
I breastfed and never gave my daughter vitamins. Your child should be getting all of it's nutrition through breastfeeding and it is not necessary to give vitamins unless there is some other underlying medical condition. If you are worried about your child getting enough vitamin D find a spot in the house where the sunlight is coming through the window and sit him there for 5-10 minutes. Or go outside and sit in the shade.
I breastfed and have a lot of friends who breastfed and this is the first time I've heard of giving vitamins.
Trust your instincts and only give them if it suits your baby.
Good luck
B.
Uggh.....it's tough when you have to give it to them without being able to mix it with anything. :( Our doctor didn't push them until our little girl was starting solids and then she could get it mixed with her cereal and she didn't notice. :(
i gave my daughter poly vi sol. i believe thats by infamil. what i would do is mix it in her first bottle. try that maybe it will work.
Please get a second opinion! I did not give vitamins to my nursing babies and haven't really heard of this. You should take the vitamin and he will get it from you.
I've breastfed all of my children (three). The pediatrician recommended liquid vitamins with all three mostly for the iron. With my first I was vigiliant about pumping enough milk each day so he could have a bottle of breastmilk with the vitamin drops every day for the first year. Well, with my second I didn't have time to pump milk everyday for a bottle, so he probably only received the drops a few times a week. Well, with my third I never gave her any vitamin drops, and guess what? She is a healthy 14 month old. The doctor even tested her for anemia since I wasn't given her the vitamins. She thought for sure she would be anemic. Nope. She is fine and at the time of the test at nine months she was still exclusively breastfed. She didn't want to eat solids until 10 1/2 months. Anyways, I think the vitamins aren't necessary!
I got a fat dropper to give them to my daughter... She sucked it out as if she was nursing. :) I also noticed the spitting up if I gave it to her after nursing, but if I gave it to her and then fed her she didn't have any issues...
I've not heard that for breastfeeding mothers. If the mother is taking a complete vitamin and eating well balanced meals high in iron and calcium then the baby takes all of that in. The only reason for the baby to take in a vitamin is if mom isn't getting it because of poor diet, allergies, water that is not floridated, etc. Get a second opinion because why put your child through that if it's not necessary.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
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Hi, M.;
Your baby doesn't need vitamins this young.
Good luck. D.
