My ped recommended giving the baby vitamins even though she is bf. I have never heard of this before, but evidently breast milk does not provide enough iron or vitamin d. (But she did say that it is still the best food for baby - she is very pro-breastfeeding)

Did anyone else give their infant vitamins?

I've heard of this but I have also heard a lot of moms say they didn't feel the need to give them.

no we didn't give our babies vitamins but maybe that's a new thing

some docs reccomend it. I don't think its needed and here is why I don't.

Basically yes breast milk has less Vit. D and iron then baby formula. The reason, what is in formula is man made, its not digested properly by baby therefore they have to give a ton more for baby to get the same. Breastfed babies have everything they need. Now if you live in Alaska and don't have daytime everyday, then maybe Vit. D would be needed. If she is getting sunlight a few min. a day that is all she needs.


http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamins.html

he American Academy of Pediatrics (Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (http://www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html)) states:
No supplements (water, glucose water, formula, and so forth) should be given to breastfeeding newborns unless a medical indication exists... Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth.
AAP recommendations on specific vitamins are noted below.
Some very premature babies (weighing less than 1500 grams/3.3 pounds) may need extra vitamins and minerals, which can be added to their mother's milk before being given to the baby.


all about Vit D
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamin-d.html

Here is on Iron
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html

Thanks, that is good info. I hate that there is so much conflicting information running around on basically every topic, it makes it so hard to make decisions. We will probalby go ahead and give her the vitamins and see how she does, as my ped is consistently one of the top-rated docs in the city and I feel like I should at least follow her advice as long as it isn't going against my instinct. It may not be necessary, but it shouldn't hurt her to take them.

My doctor didn't have me start giving them until she started eating solids.

yay that is a better move there if any. When artificial iron is introduced teh baby can't tell teh difference between the synthetic and the real from the breast milk. The baby then has problems digesting the iron from the breastmilk

I say trust your own instincts Kim. If your heart tells you to follow your doctors advice than that's exactly what you should do

yay that is a better move there if any. When artificial iron is introduced teh baby can't tell teh difference between the synthetic and the real from the breast milk. The baby then has problems digesting the iron from the breastmilk

Yeah my thoughts too. My older girls doctor when they were younger offered them at about 9 months or so. Of course we didn't do solids until six months.

I was always told breast milk had enough iron in it until about six months, and then they'll suggest an iron supplement. I wouldn't personally want to add iron to an already breast fed baby, mostly because it's a bit hard on their digestive systems. Iron is the reason a lot of babies have issues with formula. It's not so easy to digest, and can make it hard to poop. Eli always had that problem with formula, it was always the iron and it made him so cranky. He was always crying.

But I don't know, maybe the supplement is different. :)

nope you are right its the same. Its hard on a lot of kids.

I am one who thinks that bfing gives the baby all it needs after all for thousands of years children where only bfed with no issues. I think it is honestly a marketing gimmic to make more money. I didnt want anything in my kids tummies for the first 6 months that didnt come out of me first. It can really mess with the gut flora.

Thanks, that is good info. I hate that there is so much conflicting information running around on basically every topic, it makes it so hard to make decisions. We will probalby go ahead and give her the vitamins and see how she does, as my ped is consistently one of the top-rated docs in the city and I feel like I should at least follow her advice as long as it isn't going against my instinct. It may not be necessary, but it shouldn't hurt her to take them.

It does make it hard doesn't it? I honestly think though, that sometimes, doctors know very little about breastmilk/feeding just like the rest of the world. It's still kind of mysterious, but I would definitely say that she doesn't need anything but your breastmilk. I tend to agree with Boxer on this one.

But do trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to tell the doc if your instincts are telling you something different. Did you give DD1 vitamins as an infant?

It does make it hard doesn't it? I honestly think though, that sometimes, doctors know very little about breastmilk/feeding just like the rest of the world. It's still kind of mysterious, but I would definitely say that she doesn't need anything but your breastmilk. I tend to agree with Boxer on this one.

But do trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to tell the doc if your instincts are telling you something different. Did you give DD1 vitamins as an infant?

This ped is VERY pro-breastfeeding and they have a lactation consultant in the office as well, so I think they are pretty knowledgeable on the subject.

I did not give Hannah vitamins BUT she was not exclusively bf either, I had to go back to work after only 6 weeks so at around 3 weeks she started getting bottles of formula and I only bf in the morning and at nighttime.