Vitamins for your baby

What it does:

It promotes calcium absorption and builds and maintain bones and teeth.

Sources:

6 – 11 months: Most formulas are fortified with vitamin D. If you are breast-feeding, ask your pediatrician if you need to supplement your baby’s diet with vitamin D.

12 – 24 months: Toddlers who drink vitamin D-fortified whole milk will get an adequate amount of vitamin D. Natural sources include mackerel, salmon, sardines, and egg yolks. Fortified sources include milk and milk products, butter, cheese, and some breakfast cereals. In addition, careful and moderate exposure to sunlight without sun screen is a good source of Vitamin D.

Signs of deficiency:

Thinning and weakening of bones

What it does:

It helps bind cells together, helps heal wounds, and strengthens blood vessel walls.

Sources:

6 – 11 months: Guavas, kiwis, papayas, and cantaloupes; red, orange, yellow, and green bell peppers; parsley; raspberries, honeydew melons, pineapples, blueberries, grapes, and apricots; broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, kale, snow peas, cabbage, and romaine lettuce; plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, bananas, apples, and pears; and broad beans, rutabagas, butternut squash, potatoes, mixed greens, okra, peas, parsnips, turnips, yams, sweet potatoes and plantains.

12 – 24 months: Guavas, kiwis, papayas, strawberries, oranges, lemons, limes, cantaloupes, grapefruits, and tangerines; red, orange, yellow, and green bell peppers; parsley; mangos, raspberries, honeydew melons, blackberries, star fruit, pineapples, blueberries, grapes, and apricots; broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower, kale, snow peas, cabbage, garlic, mustard greens, beet greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, and radishes, watermelon, bananas, cherries, plums, peaches, apples, nectarines, and pears; broad beans, tomatoes, Swiss chard, rutabagas, collard greens, mixed greens (loose leaf lettuce), basil, butternut squash, potatoes, okra, peas, parsnips, turnips, yams, sweet potatoes, plantains, asparagus, and artichokes

Signs of deficiency:

Bleeding gums and loose teeth; bruising; dry, rough skin; slow healing; and appetite loss

What it does:

It promotes calcium absorption and builds and maintain bones and teeth.

Sources:

6 – 11 months: Most formulas are fortified with vitamin D. If you are breast-feeding, ask your pediatrician if you need to supplement your baby’s diet with vitamin D.

12 – 24 months: Toddlers who drink vitamin D-fortified whole milk will get an adequate amount of vitamin D. Natural sources include mackerel, salmon, sardines, and egg yolks. Fortified sources include milk and milk products, butter, cheese, and some breakfast cereals. In addition, careful and moderate exposure to sunlight without sun screen is a good source of Vitamin D.

Signs of deficiency:

Thinning and weakening of bones

What it does:

It helps form red blood cells, muscles, and other tissues and prevents cell damage, and preserves fatty acids.

Sources:

Olive oil; whole grains; leafy vegetables such as Swiss chard, broccoli, spinach, mustard greens, and parsley; avocados; nuts and nut butters; and some seafood.

Signs of deficiency:

Blood problems in premature infants; and neurological problems in older children.

What it does:

It’s needed for normal blood clotting and helps maintain healthy bones.

Sources:

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli; potatoes; whole grains such as oats, wheat bran; and soy beans.

Signs of deficiency:

Excessive bleeding.