The first year of a child’s life is characterized by a period of active development and growth (we recommend reading: healthy and harmonious development of a child from the first days of life). For full development, a child needs a variety of nutrients, including vitamins. Where can a baby get them from? Is it worth using additional sources of vitamin substances, such as special complexes sold in pharmacies?
A child under one year old is actively growing and developing, so a certain set of vitamins is extremely necessary for him.
Vitamins for newborns
Some mothers are convinced that for active growth and good health, their child must be given vitamins for newborns. In this case, it is important to remind all mothers: although minerals and vitamins are an integral part of the successful development of the baby’s body, you should not go too far. Do not rush to supply your baby with synthetic additives. Children in the first month of life, as well as all children, should receive only natural nutrients and products, and not “chemicals”.
Infants in the first year of life who eat mother's milk or suck on a bottle of formula do not need any additional sources of vitamins and minerals. Their diet is very balanced.
Vitamin D
Pediatricians often prescribe preventive vitamin D supplementation, starting at one month of age and even at birth. Moreover, very often you can hear the following advice: start as early as possible. It should be remembered that the prescription of any vitamin for children, and in particular vitamin D, must be due to a number of compelling reasons.
Brands of vitamins for children under 1 year of age
The information discussed above gives us the idea that the prescription of vitamin complexes is justified in very rare cases. As a rule, it is more common to prescribe a course of individual vitamins or their combinations if any disease or pathology has been identified. This decision is due to the fact that children receive all the necessary elements from mother’s milk or an adapted formula. Finding vitamins for children under one year old in pharmacies today is not so easy, but they still exist. We list them below.
Aquadetrim
Vitamin D solution. Dosage is 1-2 drops. If the child was born prematurely, the single dose can be increased according to the doctor’s recommendation and will be 2-10 drops. The doctor will assess the baby's condition and determine the exact dosage. For preventive use in the summer, the dose of the drug can be reduced to 1 drop. Violation of the dosage is not allowed.
Multitabs baby
Vitamins for children under one year old can be found in this complex. Here you will find vitamins A, D and C. The dosage is measured in drops. 1 ml of solution contains the necessary norm to meet the needs of the baby’s body for these substances. It is often prescribed by doctors to prevent rickets, as well as to strengthen the body’s defenses against viruses and infections.
Polivit Baby
The product is a solution. The composition contains vitamins A, C, PP, D, E, group B, which are necessary for children under one year old. This drug has proven itself well as a preventative against hypovitaminosis, as well as an assistant in its elimination. The solution can be taken along with feeding. It is allowed to mix it with food or drink.
Kinder biovital gel
Prescribed to children older than 1 month with a dosage of 0.5 teaspoon (2.5 ml) 2 times a day. Vitamin and mineral composition of the drug: vitamins A, B1, B2, PP, B6, B12, C, D3, E, lecithin, sodium, manganese, calcium. The instructions for use state that the drug will be effective in cases of stunted growth, unbalanced nutrition, exhaustion, during the recovery period, and also as a prevention of rickets (we recommend reading: recommended prevention of rickets in children under one year of age). It’s a stretch to call this complex a vitamin-mineral complex, since the amount of minerals in it is extremely small. The name “multivitamin” is more suitable for this product.
Of the products we are considering for children in the first year of life, Biovital gel is the richest in composition. It is allowed to be taken by children of other age categories, but with a change in dosage.
Komarovsky's opinion
Dr. Komarovsky, beloved by mothers, does not deny the enormous benefits of vitamins for the growth and development of a child, but at the same time, he does not recommend taking them unless absolutely necessary, but only if there is hypovitaminosis. As for vitamin D, Komarovsky advises not to avoid taking it for children under one year of age in the autumn-winter period to prevent rickets, because there is little sun at this time. For more detailed information, watch the video material from the doctor’s program.
Pediatrician of the 2nd category, allergist-immunologist, graduated from the Belarusian State Medical University of the Federal Agency for Health and Social Development. Read more »
