Vitamins and Minerals

 
Just as people of all other ages, infants require vitamins and minerals. Conveniently enough, breast milk contains all of the vitamins and minerals that infants need. Of course, in order for the breast milk to contain the essential vitamins and minerals, the mother must have an adequate intake of them in her diet. This is usually achievable simply through a well-balanced and complete diet. There are, however, some vitamins and minerals that infants need but have trouble consuming or receiving when needed. In these cases measures must be taken to supplement the deficiencies.

One of the most essential vitamins is K. Vitamin K is necessary for the production of blood clotting factors. Without an adequate level of vitamin K, there can be bleeding throughout the body. Infants are born with a very small amount of this vitamin in their systems. It takes them one to two weeks of eating to build up a sufficient level of the vitamin. Thus, vitamin K is routinely given to infants at birth in the form of an injection. This raises their level of vitamin K immediately, providing them with protection and clotting ability.

Fluoride is another mineral that infants have a difficult time getting but require. This mineral has proven to be very beneficial in preventing dental cavities. Fluoride, however, does not easily pass from mother to child through breast milk. Thus, supplementation is necessary. In most cities fluoride is added to the water supply to help people get enough of the mineral. If the baby is fed instant formula made with tap water supplied with fluoride, the mother will not need to worry about supplementation. If the baby is breastfed, the mother will need to give the baby oral supplements. There is still great debate surrounding when fluoride supplementation should begin. Arguments seem to range between birth and six months of age. The fact that too much fluoride can be detrimental to health, however, seems to lend itself to the side which proposes beginning supplementation closer to six months of age. As the baby ages and begins to consume more tap water via food or direct drinking, fluoride supplementation is no longer as vital and should slowly be fazed out. By the age of one year there remains no real need for supplementation.

If the baby is breastfed, he will likely also need vitamin D supplementation. It is not uncommon for physicians to recommend vitamin D supplementation during the first six months of life especially since the baby will not be getting a lot of sunshine, which is required by the body to produce vitamin D.

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