Key Points:
- Vitamin D Supplementation: Breast milk provides most nutrients, except vitamin D. Give 400 IU of vitamin D daily to your baby, as recommended.
- Premature Babies and Iron: Premature infants may need iron supplements along with vitamin D due to limited iron storage capacity.
- Consult Your Doctor: For proper supplementation guidance and doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist before giving supplements to your baby.
You may be wondering if your baby needs supplements during lactation. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breast milk contains all the vitamins your baby needs with the exception of vitamin D. Therefore, it is necessary to give 400 IU of vitamin D daily with a pipette filled to 1 ml and lean your baby back to give him the drops gradually. If you have any doubts about how to give it to him or which drops to buy, don’t forget to contact your doctor or drugstore before giving it to your baby.
In the case of premature babies, they may need iron supplements in addition to vitamin D, mainly due to their limited capacity for storing this mineral before starting to consume solid food. If your little one only drinks breast milk, the doctor might recommend iron supplements. However, if your little one consumes formula on its own or as a supplement to breast milk, make sure that you are giving him iron fortified milk, since this meets the requirements he needs. Remember to ask your pediatrician if your baby needs additional supplements to meet his nutritional requirements.
