Welcoming new life into the world can be an exciting time for any expecting parents, but it can be hard to navigate whether your little bundle of joy needs any extra support with the help of baby vitamins and multivitamins.
We’re here to help you explore whether you should give your baby multivitamins and to introduce you to the selection of vitamins for babies available at Garden of Life.
Do Babies Need Daily Multivitamins?
Yes, the NHS and UK government recommend that infants from the age of 6 months are given multivitamins for babies that contain vitamins A, C, and D every day.[1]
If you are breastfeeding, it is recommended to give your little one a daily dose of vitamin D from birth. As our main source of vitamin D is from the sun, it can be difficult for babies to get enough vitamin D, as we need to protect their skin from potential sunburn.
Babies that have more than 500ml of infant formula per day do not need to take any additional baby vitamins as their formula will already be fortified with the essential vitamins they need.
What Vitamins Should I Give My Baby?
It’s possible that your baby may need additional nutritional support from birth with baby multivitamins. The UK Department of Health and Social Care recommends the key vitamins for babies are:
It is advised to talk to a pharmacist or GP to discuss which baby multivitamins are best for your child.
Read more about each vitamin and why they are essential for your baby below:
1) Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that contributes to the normal function of the immune system.[2] Often sourced as beta-carotene and found in orange-coloured fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potato, and mango, your baby needs vitamin A to help build and strengthen their immunity.
When looking for multivitamins for babies, check the label to ensure that it contains vitamin A and remember to stick to the recommended dosage.
2) Vitamin C
Another essential vitamin for babies is vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to healthy skin, in addition to supporting the function of the immune system.[3] It can also support your baby’s iron absorption.
There are plenty of foods rich in vitamin C, but it is especially important for babies that are being breastfed to take baby multivitamins containing vitamin C to boost their nutrient intake.
Learn everything you need to know about vitamin C and how it can benefit you and your baby’s health in this article:
What is Vitamin C and What Are the Benefits?
Explore the benefits of vitamin C and the supplements we recommend taking.
3) Vitamin D
If you had to give your baby only one vitamin, make sure it is vitamin D. With our main source of vitamin D coming from the summer sun and found in few foods, it is important to ensure your baby is getting enough vitamin D through a specially formulated vitamin for babies.
As babies have less exposure to the sun, it is recommended to boost your baby’s vitamin D intake with a supplement that contains 8.5mg to 10mg of vitamin D from birth until the age of 1. Infants aged between 1 to 5 years old should take up to 10mg of vitamin D per day.
Remember to keep in mind that formula is often fortified with vitamin D, meaning that formula-fed babies do not need to take additional vitamin D supplements.
It’s important that you follow the recommended dosage listed on the label of your chosen baby vitamins, as too much of certain vitamins can be harmful to babies.
What Age Can Babies Take Multivitamins?
Some baby vitamins are suitable to take from birth, but it is best to consult your paediatrician or GP before using any multivitamins for babies, especially if they were born prematurely or have immune problems.
For the best baby vitamins, our range of liquid supplements are the perfect option to boost your little one’s nutritional intake from the age of 6 months to 5 years.
Once your child reaches the age of 4, you can consider introducing chewable vitamins and other supplements that have been specially designed for children. Discover everything you need to know about children’s vitamins in this article:
Vitamins for Children: Everything You Need to Know
Explore why children need vitamins and discover the best vitamins for kids.
[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/vitamins-for-children/
[2] Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the immune system
[3] Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin and to the normal function of the immune system.
