Which vitamin drops do you use for BF babies?

[SquidgersMummy]

Have read vitamin drops are good if EBF - which ones do you use and is it once or twice a day and easy to get it in?

X

[jetstar]

I never used them but I think one friend of mine used Abidec from 6 months +

[ceeveebee]

Wellbaby - orange flavoured rather than the disgusting Abidec

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I never liked the idea of somethinmg other than breastmilk going into my babies so just make sure I eat fish regularly.

[almondfinger]

If you are eating a nutrient rich diet, with plenty of fresh fruit, veg, protein - meat, fish and pulses then you are producing a complete milk for your baby. You should not need to supplement with anything. If you are vegan then there may be a b12 deff riskbifvyou know you are defficient.

Keep up the good work breast feeding and if your baby is content and gaining weight, don't worry about supplements.

[SquidgersMummy]

Thanks - I would normally be eating a rich and varied diet....but I have a small baby and suddenly no time am on the pregnacare but 11 wks in only just realised you are supposed to take two a day

[EnolaAlone]

We used the Vitabiotics Wellkid baby and infant syrup from 6 months onwards. We're vegetarians though, so I thought it would be a good supplement.

[ceeveebee]

Guidelines say you need to give vitamin d drops as impossible to get enough of that from food and unlikely from sunshine in UK climate

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/what-does-vitamin-d-do.aspx?CategoryID=51&SubCategoryID=168

[StarlightMcKenzie]

So why aren't the guidenlines for EVERYONE to have vit d drops?

[ceeveebee]

Babies are not exposed to sun as much as adults

[AnnaLiza]

Yes but GP and HV have NEVER mentioned or reminded me to give VItamin D drops. Surely if it's mandatory and I'd paramount importance they would have said? I don't understand really!

[AnnaLiza]

and *of paramount importance

[ceeveebee]

HVs and GPs are usually always so up to date

Guidelines changed about 12 months ago. NICE and UNICEF made statements. NHS website is clear. Personally I try to follow the advice of medical experts but hey, make your own mind up.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

In 3 babies, no-one has ever told me to give vitamins to any of them.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

'Babies are not exposed to sun as much as adults'

How come? Mine is, I'm sure of it.

[AnnaLiza]

Don't be defensive! I wasn't criticising your advice, I was just saying, how come HCPs don't mention vit D supplements whereas the NHS website do? I find it quite alarming really.

[AnnaLiza]

That message was for ceeveebee obviously

[ceeveebee]

I can't answer that. But my HV told me about it.

[pettyprudence]

If you're in Wales you can get them for free from your HV or Dr. They also give vitamins for mum too. I never got round to taking mine or dropping in DS's.....

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I guess, most people are formula feeding shortly after birth and presumably that has vit d!? So they don't worry about it too much?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I saw the student maternity-covering mw at 12 days and that was that. No further visits or contact.

[Snusmumriken]

The NHS is data driven, meaning that guidelines are changed if, and when new research is disseminated.

As ceeveebee pointed out, it is possible and very likely that many HCP are not up to date on all of the changes.

HTH

[ceeveebee]

I was told at one of the weigh ins at well baby clinic - I used to go every week and then every two weeks until they were 6 months old as very low birthweight babies- they told me when we chatted about weaning.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Oh. Well I guess I don't do weigh-ins. DS is 18 weeks and I haven't weighed him since 2 weeks old.

But I am surprised if it is important that they don't tell you until weaning.

[ceeveebee]

The guidelines are to give drops from 6 months to 4 years

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Oh I see. So they are recommended from when they start to reduce their milk intake and move onto solids!?