Can Newborns Be Given Multivitamin Drops?

Generally, a healthy, full-term newborn does not require vitamin or mineral supplement alternatives throughout the first year if he/she is getting proper breastfeeding. According to trusted studies, during the first six months of a healthy breastfed baby’s life, the majority of vitamins, as well as solid meals, are not helpful, and some may even be dangerous. In some circumstances, breastfed newborns may require multivitamin drops throughout the first year of life. For instance, if babies are born premature or with some genetic ailment.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), immediately after delivery, babies must receive vitamin D supplementation to reduce sunshine exposure and also vitamin K injection to prevent rickets.

Some preterm newborns (weighing less than 1500 grams/3.3 pounds) may require additional vitamins and other nutrients right after birth.

Below is the list of vitamins and minerals that a newborn requires.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A can be found naturally and abundantly in breast milk. Increasing breastfeeding is the best solution to prevent newborns from having a vitamin A deficit. Even in regions of the globe where vitamin A insufficiency is common, vitamin A scarcity in breastfed infants is uncommon.

Thiamine

Supplements are unnecessary if the mom obtains enough thiamine since her milk will provide enough for the newborn. Since thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin, adding more thiamine to mom’s diet should boost the quantity of thiamine in her milk to the required levels. Thiamine is also known as vitamin B1.

Vitamin B6

For a healthy infant, no supplements are not required if the mom consumes enough vitamin B6. If mom isn’t getting adequate vitamin B6, she can increase the amount in her milk to the necessary levels by including more vitamin B6 in her diet.

Vitamin B12

For healthy RBC production and to assist brain development, newborns require vitamin B12. Breastfed infants may experience vitamin B12 insufficiency by the time they are 2 to 6 months old, although it may take up to 12 months for symptoms to show up clinically. Vomiting, sluggishness, anemia, failure to grow, hypotonia (low muscular tone), and cognitive regression are all warning signs of vitamin B12 insufficiency in babies.

Vitamin C

Sufficient consumption of vitamin C is pivotal for infants to prevent scurvy and maintain several physical functions in babies. Also, ascorbic acid is imperative for a healthy immune system, boosting iron absorption and making collagen. The FDA recommends 115 mg and 120 mg of this vitamin daily for women who are nursing and are above the age of 18. (under 18 years). If you smoke, increase these dosages by 35 mg each day. The concentrations in breast milk are not greatly changed by a woman taking vitamin C supplements since they are pretty stable regardless of the mother’s consumption levels (assuming the mother is not vitamin C deficient). Supplements will raise milk production in mothers who are vitamin C deficient.

Vitamin D

Because of reduced sun exposure and a rise in rickets, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that all infants take a daily 400 IU dose of vitamin D. Babies who do require vitamin D drops because they receive insufficient sunshine.

Vitamin K

At birth, a child’s vitamin K reserves are extremely low. A vitamin K shortage results in an illness known as vitamin K deficiency hemorrhage because vitamin K is necessary for healthy blood coagulation (VKDB). Mom’s milk has more vitamin K when her consumption of it is increased.

About Liquid Iron Supplements For Babies

Many newborns are given multivitamin drops as soon as they leave the hospital. It is crucial to note that Vitamin D deficiency is very common in infants. There are very few vitamin D concentrations in human or mother’s milk. So, it must be included in the supplement. Rickets is a bone condition that vitamin D helps to avoid. If your little one was born a few weeks before the expected time or has certain medical problems, they could additionally require vitamins. Also, if the mother follows a vegan diet, the breastfed babies could require additional multivitamins with iron.

Here are some tips to fed liquid multivitamin drops to infants:

Utilize the included dropper for the liquid multivitamins. Don’t pour the dropper to the top. Try to fill it up to the suggested level. Remember, ” More isn’t always better. ” Don’t be deceived that giving more than the recommended amount will speed up your baby’s growth. However, it could potentially be dangerous.

Gently squirt the liquid drops into your child’s mouth. Do not pour it down your throat, as your infant could choke if you do this.

If your infant is quite fussy and won’t take vitamins straight from the dropper, combine them in a bottle with a little formula milk and avoid filling the bottle to the top. But don’t forget to consult a doctor regarding this.

You don’t need to provide another dosage of the vitamins if your newborn spits up during a meal. However, if this keeps occurring after you offer the vitamins to your child, call the doctor.