Minerals and vitamins Supplement for Your Love Toddlers
Whole, natural foods can provide your baby with all the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for growth. Breast milk or formula provides Baby with the first vitamins and minerals, and later a well-balanced diet will continue to nourish Baby. Processed foods are highly refined and often depleted of nutrients; some nutrients are added back when fortified however, they never match nature’s forms.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A promotes healthy eyesight, enhances immunity, and assists in forming strong bones, gums, and teeth. Good sources for babies include carrots, squash, cantaloupe, mango, dried apricots, sweet potato, and eggs.
B-complex vitamins
The B complex includes vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3, B5, B6, B12, and folic acid. These vitamins contribute to a wide variety of bodily functions, including nervous system development, digestion, immune system enhancement, and proper growth. Babies need appropriate amounts of each to thrive; a deficiency or excess of one B vitamin can disrupt the functioning of the whole group.
Good sources for ages six months to one year include whole-grain cereals and pastas, dark leafy greens, legumes, tofu, avocados, and bananas. Sources for ages one to two years include these and whole-grain breads, eggs, nuts, dairy products, meat, seeds, oily fish, and brewer’s yeast.
A star performer in this group is vitamin B12, which helps maintain a healthy nervous system and is needed in the formation of red blood cells and DNA. A serious vitamin B12 deficiency could cause pernicious anemia (decreased red blood cells in bone marrow) or even possible neurological damage. Strict vegetarians must supplement their diets with B12 because it is mainly found in animal products. A good source up to one year is yogurt. Up to age two years, other sources include eggs, meat, seafood, dairy products, and fortified breakfast cereals.
Folic acid
Folic acid (folacin) is essential in the manufacturing of red blood cells, DNA, and RNA. In the womb, growing babies use folic acid for proper brain and spinal cord development. A folic acid supplement should be taken by women before conception, during pregnancy, and after Baby’s birth.
Good sources up to one year are dark-green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, apricots, legumes, and squash.For up to age two, egg yolks, romaine lettuce, nuts, whole wheat, avocado, and fortified cereals are good sources.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential to promote the absorption of iron for the development of healthy immune systems, and as an antioxidant, for growth, tissue repair, and the formation of cartilage and muscles.
Good sources of vitamin C up to one year include fruit (in particular cantaloupe, kiwi, papaya, mangoes, and baby apple juice), sweet potato, bell peppers, squash, broccoli, and dark-green leafy vegetables. For ages one to two years, good sources include citrus fruits, strawberries, berries, tomatoes, and potatoes.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is formed in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight, and it assists in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous needed for strong bones and teeth. Babies and children who receive inadequate sunlight may need a vitamin D supplement, but pediatricians are divided as to whether breastfed infants need this supplement as well.Your pediatrician will be able to assess your baby’s needs. Infant formulas contain sufficient amounts of vitamin D. Severe cases of vitamin D deficiency can result in rickets, which is characterized by soft and weak bones.
Good sources of vitamin D up to the age of one year include fish and fish oils, infant formulas, and sunlight. For ages one to two years, additional sources include fortified dairy products and cereals.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps protect cell membranes, is needed in red blood cells and fatty acids, and acts as an anticoagulant and antioxidant. Good sources up to one year include whole grains, dark-green leafy vegetables, and avocados.
For babies between ages one and two, good sources include wheat germ, nuts and seeds, and healthy vegetable oils including cold-pressed olive, safflower, corn, and soybean.
Vitamin K
Newborns are usually given a vitamin K shot at birth to help prevent hemorrhage. It is important for blood clotting and for healthy bones.Good sources up to age one include dark-green leafy vegetables and yogurt. For ages one
to two years,good sources include brussels sprouts, milk, egg yolks, and kelp.
Tip : Vitamin and mineral supplements for babies
Always check with your doctor before giving vitamin or mineral supplements to a baby or child and never give them adult formula supplements.
Calcium
Calcium is essential for the development of healthy bones, teeth, nerves, and muscles. Recent research suggests that calcium is so crucial during the first year of life that accumulating maximum calcium stores in bones during this time could help prevent osteoporosis later in life. Calcium in breast milk is readily absorbed, and helps to set a solid foundation for healthy bones. Accordingly, adequate calcium intake must be provided in the diet of children who do not consume dairy products.
Good sources of calcium for babies up to one year of age include breast milk, infant formula, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, sesame seeds, tofu, and yogurt. For babies aged one to two years, dairy products (milk and cheese), nuts (almonds), seeds (sunflower), salmon and sardines with bones, and soybeans are good sources.
Zinc
Zinc is a trace nutrient important for babies’ growth and development, neurological functions, and to build strong immune systems. Breast milk is a good source of easily absorbed zinc, as are zinc-fortified formulas. Vegetarians need to make sure their babies get enough zinc because like iron, it is not as readily absorbed from plant sources. Children deficient in zinc may suffer from poor appetite, slower growth, and more frequent infections.
Good sources of zinc up to one year of age include breast milk, zincfortified formula, whole grains, zinc-enriched infant cereals, lentils, and legumes. For babies up to two years, good sources include whole grains, cheese and other dairy products, eggs, some nuts and seeds, red meat, tuna, and sardines.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a trace element typically added to municipal drinking water. It is important for the development of strong bones and, especially, teeth. You can find out the amount of fluoride in your local water supply by checking with your local water authority or public health department.
Some well water and bottled water may not contain enough fluoride, and your pediatrician and dentist can advise you if your child needs a supplement. Note that too much fluoride is not good either, as it can cause discolored teeth or streaky white lines on teeth. A good source of fluoride is to cook with water that contains it.
Optional Video : Are Your Kids Missing Out on Key Vitamins and Minerals?
Minerals and vitamins Supplement for Your Love Toddlers
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