Bfing and Vitamins

I started giving my bf son tri-vi-sol (without iron) since he was 1 month old and still do today (he is almost 9months). He did not like the poly-vi-sol (it has a much stronger smell), but he does like the tri-vi-sol and takes them directly from the dropper. I use the kind without iron, since he gets two servings of cereal w/ iron per day. I have read that too much iron can make them fussy/interrupt their BM.

I didn't with number 1 but did with number 2. I used Poly Vi Sol. I think that it is pretty normal that they recommend this for breastfed babies now - formula fed babies get the extra in the formula already.

My little girl has taken Reliv since she was younger than 3 months. She is 2 now and still continues to get this every day. It is a completely safe soy based vitamin that is wondeful. If you would like more information then let me know.

A.

I breastfed my son until he was 14 months, but at 6 months I did start him on Shaklee Infant Formula Vitamins. They are an awesome company that has an excellent track record for purity and no artificial fillers like coal tar. Let me know if you would like me to give you more info. I was also taking different supplements and eating healthy, so I know he got what he needed from the breastmilk. Congrats on your beautiful girl.

People might fault me for this but I haven't given either of my kids vitamins while breastfeeding. My pedi recommended it but after looking at the ingredients and actually tasting it I decided against it. Besides that there has actually been a change in recommendations since my daughter was an infant 1 1/2 years ago so clearly things change. My 2 year old is an absolute tornado and healthy in every way. Breast milk has been nourishing babies since the beginning of time. Unless your child has an obvious deficiency, just eat right and you'll be fine.

I gave my nursing daughter Tri-Vi-Sol, necessary since those vitamins are NOT in breastmilk. I only gave her this as long as she nursed (a year) and then stopped it after this because she was on table food and got her nutrients from the food I prepared for my family. My formula fed son didn't need it as the formula had everything he needed. I think its a good idea, since vitamin D is not found in breastmilk, as odd as that sounds.

I do not do vitamins due to issues as a child on them. I always agreed with the dr and they were nevr any wizer. I too didn't like all the additive stuff. I just always said yes when they asked what vitamins. The boys always were growing well.

Hi K.
I really do understand the frustration of choosing a vitamin especially for such a young baby. I am a Shaklee distributor and have been a consumer for almost 13 years. I have a website you can go to and check out any of the items you wish. www.livingwithsolutions.com It will take you to any product you may want to look at. I also have newsletters and brochures for you to compare with the other things you have already checked out. Look forward to hearing from you. I really thing you will find Shaklee vitamins for you little one to be very beneficial.
Happy New Year and Good Luck in your search. I hope I have been helpful.
Blessing
S. White

We still give our 13 month old son poly-vi-sol at our pediatrician's recommendation. We started when he was just a few months old with the vitamins without iron, then switched over to the iron supplemented one around six months. He has been a very healthy baby boy. At first he would grimmace at the taste, but by now it is part of our bedtime routine and he loves his vitamins.

Yes, I used vitamins for all my babies and used polyvisol (sp).

I just increased my vitamins while bfing. In addition to the prenatal, I take an additional 2000iu of vitamin D during the fall, winter, and spring months.

K.,

I breastfed both my boys until they were about 2 years old. They have never had a vitamin in their lives, and they are as healthy as horses. Breastmilk should provide absolutely everything an infant needs. Just my viewpoint.

Best wishes,
K.

We got the same recomendation with our third. I never did start it, and after the 2 month visit when it was recomended, I was never asked about it again. I do know though, that Gerber also makes one that mimics Poly Vi Sol, and it is suppose to taste much better.

Your baby should be getting everything she needs through your breast milk. If she is gaining weight and is generally healthy, there is no need for supplementation. A lot of pediatricians are not very knowledgeable about breastfeeding or encouraging for that matter. The only reason poly-vi-sol might be recommended is for low iron. My son was exclusively breastfed for a year and then only afterwards did I introduce other foods and drink. He was always healthy and gained weight wonderfully! You might want to contact a lactation consultant...which are available at most hospitals, or La Leche League to get more research and information. Congratulations on giving your baby the best food and nourishment ever!

my Daughter was born at the end of november. She had anemia of prematurity because she was born 10 weeks early. They put her on those vitamins right away. she is still on them. They have done well for her. They smell disgusting, and look gross, but they are good.

Hi K.,
Our Pediatrician also prescribed vitamins (Tri-Vi-Sol by Enfamil) for our son, who I am still breast feeding. Like some of the others already mentioned, it was mainly for vitamin D, which he said the baby does not get enough of, even though I take vitamins. At first I don't think our son liked the flavor, but over time he aquired a taste for it & actually likes it now. :) It is kind of expensive, but there is usually a $2. off coupon in every box that you buy.

La Leche League has researched this and has an article on their website www.lalecheleague.org. They say it is not necessary.

Your breastfeeding and there has been a rise in the number of children who are bf and developing rickets. Thats why your doctor insisted on the poly-vi-sol. I used it with my kids. It has a limited number of vitamins and is safe for the baby. At this time of the year we don't get enough sunlight even if we do go outside for our bodies to produce the vitamin D that we need. And you will not develop enough vitamin D (even if you take suppliments) for both you and your baby. Good Luck.

I didn't do it, but I know there is more and more research that says that you should, especially in the winter. Check places like Whole Foods that have natural vitamins. You only need to do it until you start other solids and can give foods with Vit. D.

I've heard of this but my pediatrician didn't mention it to us (I have a 5 month old). Personally I think it's pointless. Just make sure you eat good and honestly just keep taking your prenatal. I don't think babies need it.

It is extremely important that you introduce the vitamins to your infant. It should have been done already. Poly vi sol doesn't have "artificial junk", as you put it. It's vitamins and it's GOOD for your baby. And yes, I gave both of my children vitamins during breastfeeding and will with my 3rd. Just because you're breastfeeding, it does NOT mean YOU are eating ALL necessary foods to get ALL of the essential vitamins your baby needs. That's not a slam, but a fact for ANY breastfeeding mama. So take heed, listen to your ped.
I have to see I'm completely appalled at the lack of information given here, by other mothers. Since when are vitamins evil?? I really don't understand this conspiracy attitude. As for the mother who tasted the vitamins and decided not to give them to her kid because they tasted bad...Have you NOT tasted adult vitamins??? They don't taste so well either! lol I've had quite a few adult vitamins that leave a bad taste in your mouth. But that is such a small price to pay for ENSURING your child IS INDEED getting the nutrients he/she needs. ::shakes my head::

I want to chime in with others who said that if you are breastfeeding and you have a good diet (and take multivitamins) you probably don't need to give your baby vitamins. If there is a particular vitamin you are concerned about, maybe increase what you're taking. Isn't it great that the human body can provide all the necessary nutrition on its own? I think that's so cool and miraculous. I have been breastfeeding my baby for a year now (plus solid foods starting around 6 months) and she's very healthy. Take care!

Hi K.,
Congratulations on your baby! I breastfed and did give vitamins to my baby for a little while, because she was getting sick a lot. They bothered her tummy though (probably the iron) so we discontinued. Your doctor can insist all she wants, but it's your baby. If you bundle her up and take her outside for a few minutes a few times a week, she will get her vitamin D. Our bodies also store this vitamin, so if she got plenty of sunlight during the rest of the year, you should not have to worry about the winter. Check with Vitacost online for a possible source of natural vitamins if you want to go ahead and do that. It's your decision either way. Be well, R.

Hello my name is W.. I too breast fed my children. I know of a liquid vitamin called kindermins by Herbalife.It is simple to use with no artficial colors ,flavors or preservatives and additives. If you pump your milk you can put a drop into the bottle. Just log onto www.loseweightgetwell.com

Isn't PolyViSol an iron supplement? Maybe they also make other supplements for vitamin D? The one we bought was an iron supplement.

In any case, our (first) pediatrician recommended that we give an iron supplement to my daughter since we were not feeding her cereal at 4 mos. My partner picked the stuff up at the store but, after doing some research on our own, we decided not to give it to her.

From what I've gathered from other moms, there seems to be a widespread belief among pediatricians that iron supplementation is necessary when a child is not on a fortified formula or cereal or whatever.

The problem is that lots of times, iron levels aren't even checked - they just assume that since you're not feeding her anything "fortified" then her iron stores will be depleted. Research shows that it's just not true and even IF levels fluctuate, there's no danger.

You're probably familiar but www.kellymom.com is an awesome searchable resource for BFing moms. Even though my daughter is weaned, it's still my first stop anytime I'm doing any research.

Anyway, here's what she says about supplementing:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html

Good luck!
J.

I think we started our daughter on the poly vi sol at around 3 months and continued it for quite some time. We stopped it around a year simply because I could not stand the smell anymore (I was pregnant again and the smell of the iron made me sick). We haven't started our son on anything and he's 11 months. No real reason, just haven't done it. The stuff isn't exactly cheap, so that's part of it. My daughter and I occasionally take Flinstone's Chewable vitamins. Not on a regular basis simply because we haven't gotten into the habit of doing it every day. You can always use the sun for Vitamin D. Just use sunscreen and expose to the sun for about 15 minutes a day. The sun is good for everyone.

Yes, I gave both of my breastfed babies this vitamin to ensure that they were getting everything they needed (especially vitamin D). I also ate a good diet and took a prenatal daily. The American Academy of Pediatrics does recommend this, stating:

"The AAP recommends breastfeeding of infants for at least 12 months and for as long thereafter as the mother and infant desire. However, human milk does not contain enough vitamin D to prevent rickets."

Here is the article:
http://www.aap.org/family/vitdpatients.htm

Hi K.,

I breastfed my daughter until she was 18 months old with no additional vitamins or supplements and she is extrememly healthy. I believe breastmilk has everything your baby needs, especially if your diet is healthy. The only thing I've ever read is with regard to iron...I introduced some organic rice cereal at about 6 months for a bit of iron.

Good luck with your decision!

My son was in the NICU for 3 months & the NICU staff there used the Poly vi sol. We actually continued long after he was released form the hospital. So I think if it is something they will give to sickly babies then healthy babies should be just fine. The only thing is that it has a really bad taste so we always mixed it with his feedings so it wasn't as bad. But I have also heard of some parents just giving the dose through the dispenser it comes with directly in childs mouth.

My daugher's ped also told us to use poly-vi-sol. We gave it to her several times, but, to be honest, we just stopped. At the time, we lived in coastal NC and spent a lot of time outdoors in the sun (with sunscreen of course) so we weren't really worried about her having a Vitamin D deficiency. She's 2 1/2 now and has never had any problems. I don't want to recommend NOT giving her the vitamins. I just wanted to share my own experience with you.

Good luck!
A.

Breastfed babies to not need vitamins. As long as you are eating a balanced diet, your breast milk is nature's perfect food.

Here is an article: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/vitamin.html