At that point, it's important for your baby to have a good source of iron from food. And while sunscreen helps keep children safe in the sun, it also blocks the rays that enable the body to produce vitamin D.īreast milk and formula both contain iron, but about the time your baby starts solid foods, the iron requirement jumps (from 0.27 milligrams daily through 6 months to 11 mg daily from 7 to 12 months). Since sunscreen isn't recommended for babies under 6 months old, they have less protection.
The skin of very young babies is extra thin and delicate, and every minute of sun exposure contributes to skin cancer risk and wrinkling later in life – even if the skin doesn't burn. But it's best to keep your baby out of the sun for their first six months, so they won't get enough vitamin D from the sun – even if you live in a relatively sunny place. Our bodies produce vitamin D after our skin is exposed to sunshine. Babies who are fully or partially formula fed but drink less than 32 ounces of formula a day also need a daily vitamin D supplement. These are some common supplements for babies: Vitamin D for babiesīabies only get a small amount of vitamin D through breast milk, so experts recommend giving your breastfed baby a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU daily, starting in the first few days of life. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't regulate vitamins, so quality and potency might vary between brands.Īlways ask the doctor before giving your baby supplements.
A study by the American Dietetic Association showed that while supplements were helpful for infants who were deficient in some nutrients, other infants received too much of some vitamins and minerals.Īlso, keep in mind that the U.S. In fact, once your baby starts eating solid food, they may be getting more vitamins and minerals than you think – especially if they eat fortified foods, which often have added vitamin A, zinc, iron, and folate. Not all babies will need vitamin supplements. That said, your own nutrient stores may suffer if your diet is less than stellar, so pediatricians recommend you take a multivitamin while you're breastfeeding. In general, though, even if your diet isn't perfect (and whose is?), your breast milk will likely contain the nutrients your baby needs. Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids are nutrients that vegan moms and babies may need to make an extra effort to consume through diet or a multivitamin-mineral supplement. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet yourself or are planning on feeding your baby a vegan or vegetarian diet, tell your baby's healthcare provider.
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