Vitamins, When to Start (Still Breastfeeding)

I give my 11 month old poly-vi-sol vitimins in the bathtub every night (in the bath because it stains and a drop or two always comes back out). I have since he was 5 months.

Great question. My doctor had said when he was a couple months old, but I never did it. I have read that you have to be careful about choosing vitamins becuase of too much vitamin A. I would like to know what others think.

I started supplementing my son when he was about 4 to 5 months old. THey don't always get what they need from your milk. He eats what you eat. You can also supplement yourself at the same time with prenatal vitamins, I did both. THere are infant viatmin drops. Make sure it has minerals in it especially calcium. You can find it at the local Walgreens or other pharmacys. No it isn't a prescription, they just have the bast selection. wish you all the best.

As long as you are eating well and your child is eating a good variety, I wouldn't think your child would need vitamins. At 17 months, I would think she should be eating about the same things you are, just in smaller pieces. So, as long as you set a great example for her there should be no need. I would check with your doctor to be sure, as you mentioned though.

I started after ds stopped breastfeeding. Now he gets some gummy vitamins from Lil' Critters (or Trader Joe's brand) and a protein shake that I make that has greens and Omega 3-6-9's in it, since he has such a poor diet.....extremely picky eater. It may not hurt while she's still nursing but that's up to you...I don't see it as a big issue either way.

Commercially available vitamins are a poor choice of supplementation. Since you are still breastfeeding it matters more what you are eating right now. I am a certified herbal consultant and could guide you to some excellent all-natural bio-available supplements if you are interested. They are safe and effective and can be used for people of all ages so when you stop nursing you can give them directly to your child.

2 years old. I started my son on over the counter multi-vitamins when he turned two. He loves those Gummie Vites (you can get them at Costco). That brand of vitamins has all kinds of suppliments for children, such as calcium if they don't drink much milk, veggie vites for kids who hate their peas and carrots and they also have an Immune booster supplement. The label also reads for children 2 years & older. I believe the the immune booster supplement reads for 4 years old & older. We have our now 3 year-old on the regular multi-vitamins and the Veggie Bites. He loves them. We give one vitamin each after teeth brushing (it has been a routine) 2 per day is the required dosage so he gets one set at his morning brushing and then one set at bed time after his evening brushing. You just have to remember not to refer to them as candy because they need to understand that they can't get "seconds". We told our son that they are vitamins and if you eat more then you're suppose to, your tummy might be owwie.

Dear M.,

If I could go back in time...I'd get more vitamin D for my daughter earlier. Breast milk unfortunately lacks it. Babies were meant to be carried around outdoors and get sun on their naked skins for vit D but we often don't do that enough in modern life.
Lots of vitamin choices out there...some have more lead than others...see "lead contamination" and "Vitamins" on an internet search.
I'd try to pick out a lesser contaminated ones...it is almost impossible to avoid all lead, as the measuring methods are so sensitive now..parts per million etc.
Omega oils are a nice health back up too...Dr Sears sells his own brand, but there are others...some not even based on fish...algae instead.