s/o of children's multivitamin thread - vitamins for babies?

[Alphabetika]

I just took my dd for her one-year well baby visit, and she is perfectly healthy. Still, the doctor recommended that she take a multi-vitamin (either liquid or gummy if she can manage it), as well as a liquid vitamin D supplement, as well as have a blood test for anemia. I never would have considered doing any of this for a healthy baby who is still nursing plus eating table food and shows no symptoms that would indicate the need for these things. I don't remember having these things suggested to me with my older two kids, but it's been awhile.

 

I am not upset, just pondering. Does anyone do this with your babies? Is it a case of "can't hurt so why not?" Is there a good reason not to do it?

[Mergath]

My dd is 26 months old now, and has never taken a multivitamin in her life. She gets a half teaspoon of fish oil each day, and that's it. At her one year checkup, our pediatrician told us she has some of the healthiest iron, etc. levels he's ever seen in a child her age. So they're definitely not necessary, though I've heard that you should give a Vitamin D supplement if your child doesn't get a lot of sun.

 

Also, I've heard that a lot of multivitamins have different amounts of vitamins than is listed on the package, which can be dangerous. When you combine that with the fact that some of them have artificial colors and flavoring, it leaves me thinking it's better to just focus on nutrition. Any kid that eats a variety of fruits and veg will be fine without a supplement.

[Crimson Wife]

Both my 2nd and 3rd were exclusively BF and both turned out to be anemic when tested for it (at 6 mos for #2 and at 4 mos for #3). I was told by my pediatrician at the time that it's not unusual for smaller babies to develop anemia (#2 was born at 5 lbs. 12 oz. and #3 was born at 6 lbs. 4 oz.) I gave iron drops and that resolved the issue.

[Alphabetika]

Thank you both for sharing! I appreciate it - more to think about....

[stripe]

My kids were tested for anemia at 1 yr. It was fairly painless for the first one (one small vial, blood squeezed from finger prick) but the nurse who took the second child's blood was HORRIBLE -- plenty of blood was coming out but not getting into the vial! If you have a competent person do it, I think it's not a very difficult test. I think it's better to be tested than to assume a kid either has enough or is deficient in a vitamin.

 

I had a weird lecture from one nurse about vitamin D with one child, but no discussion about the other.

 

I decided on my own to give them a multivitamin, and I don't have them take it daily. I used to grind it in a mortar and pestle and give as a powder, before they could chew. (They take ones from Freeda, which are pretty soft chewables.)