My friend recommended some baby vitamin/mineral supplements for my 2-month-old baby. Should I let him take some of the supplements? Holly, 30 years; Gary, 2 months
Dr. Stork says:You need to continue taking your prenatal vitamins for at least two or three months if you are breastfeeding. This way, your baby will not need an extra vitamin supplement during those first few months that you are breastfeeding. Before giving your baby any supplement at any time, it’s vital to ask your pediatrician. Check with him if your baby needs extra fluoride. Getting enough helps prevent cavities in our teeth, while too much fluoride can be a problem. It can lead to discolored teeth. Since the amount of fluoride in your water supply may be high or low, it’s important that you ask your health care provider how much, if any, fluoride supplement your baby needs. Give exactly as prescribed. Don’t overdose! If you are eating enough nutritious, iron-rich foods, your breast milk will provide enough iron for your baby for about four months. At that time, your pediatrician may suggest an iron supplement. Or he may tell you it’s all right to start feeding your baby an iron-fortified cereal. Most commercial formulas in the market contain fortified iron.
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