Vitamins for children under one year old
Children under the age of 1 year need an adequate intake of the entire spectrum of vitamins and minerals in the body for healthy growth and development.
Should I give my child vitamins?
A healthy and balanced diet should provide the body with the necessary minerals and vitamins for children under one year old, however, at this age, a child may prefer far from healthy food and simply refuse to eat healthy food. In this case, the parents come to the aid of vitamin and mineral complexes produced by various pharmaceutical companies, which will compensate for the lack of vitamins and minerals that are in deficit in the child's body. Many parents wonder whether and how much to give their child vitamins D, C, K, B and minerals.
Taking vitamins in powders, gels or drops should be carried out in accordance with the recommendations specified in the instructions, taking into account the dosage that corresponds to the age of the child and clearly during the period of time specified in the instructions.
An overdose of vitamins - hypervitaminosis, can lead to various negative consequences, including a weakening of the baby's immune system, dizziness, blood clotting disorders, the formation of stones and sand in the kidneys, and many others. Thus, parents who have doubts about whether to give their child vitamins D, C, B, etc. in powders, gels or capsules, just have to initially consult a pediatrician and follow all his recommendations.
What vitamins are necessary for children under one year old?
At the age of up to one year, with insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals from breast milk or natural food products, pediatricians recommend multivitamin complexes that are enriched with all the necessary minerals and vitamins for children under one year old. Only with the optimal combination of all these important components can these multivitamin complexes be assimilated by the child's body. At the age of 1 year, the vitamins necessary for the proper development and growth of a child are:
- Vitamin D is a very important vitamin for a baby's development during the first 9 months. Its deficiency in the body can lead to the development of rickets, muscle weakness, fatigue and an increased risk of infections due to damage to cells of the immune system, in particular tuberculosis. More than 90% of vitamin D enters the body through ultraviolet rays. Food sources of this vitamin are fish, mushrooms and egg yolks, which children under one year of age simply do not eat. Many parents wonder if and how much vitamin D supplements should be given to their child, and how often. It is simply impossible for a small child to get a sufficient amount of this vitamin in the winter season from the sun's rays, and if at the same time he no longer uses breast milk, then the answer to the parents' question whether it is worth giving vitamin D to the child is obvious - of course yes. Most multivitamins for children contain vitamin D, and the dosage and course of taking this element depend on the age of the baby;
- Vitamin A - promotes a healthy immune system, keeps skin and eyes healthy. When breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, a baby usually gets enough of this essential vitamin for babies under one year old. However, there are times when the amount of vitamin supplied from external sources is not enough for the child. Sources include milk, eggs, grains, citrus fruits, green fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, melons, sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots and peaches;
- Vitamin C is essential for wound healing, healthy cells, teeth and gums in a child, and helps his body to better absorb calcium and iron. Sources include berries, kiwi, bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, and citrus fruits. During the first 9 months, vitamin C plays an especially important role for the baby's health, as its deficiency can lead to anemia, weakness and diarrhea;
- Vitamin K is a nutrient that is essential for the blood clotting process in babies and is obtained in sufficient quantities during breastfeeding. Other sources of this essential vitamin for children under one year old are liver, broccoli, spinach, and asparagus;
- Vitamin E - limits the formation of free radicals - harmful molecules that can damage cells, is important for immunity, DNA repair and other metabolic processes. From the age of 9 months, a child needs vitamin E in an amount of 6 mg per day. Sources include fruits, vegetables, almonds, wheat germ, sunflower, corn and soybean oil.
What minerals are needed for children under one year old?
In order for a child to grow strong and healthy, in addition to vitamins for children under one year old, he also needs various minerals such as iodine, iron, calcium, magnesium and others.
Iodine is a mineral essential for strong and healthy teeth, nails and hair, and plays an important role in removing toxins from the body. Iodine deficiency can negatively affect the health and function of the body, and can also lead to mental retardation, which should be considered by parents who are hesitant about giving their child vitamins and minerals. Approximately 80% of the iodine present in the body is located in the thyroid gland, with the help of which it is able to reproduce hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which play an important role in regulating the processes associated with the growth and development of the body, and also affect the maturation of the reproductive system. Its sources are products such as:
- Iodized salt;
- Freshwater fish;
- Oysters;
- Milk products;
- Vegetables;
- Buckwheat.
Calcium is needed for strong bones, the work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, for blood clotting. Calcium deficiency leads to frequent bone fractures in childhood. In order to avoid the loss of calcium from the bones of a child, it is necessary to consume vitamin D and magnesium, without which its assimilation is impossible, which is important to know for parents who doubt whether to give a child vitamin D. At the age of 1 year, the daily dose of calcium is 400 mg. Sources include breast milk, dairy products, green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach and broccoli, fortified juices, fortified cereals, soybeans, and almonds.
Iron is essential for all tissues in the developing child's body. It is present in the brain and participates in the myelination of nervous processes from the first days of a baby's life and affects the absorption of other nutrients, but in excess it can generate free radicals that disrupt cell functions and suppress enzymatic activity.
Magnesium is an important mineral along with the above minerals and vitamins for children under one year old, which is important for the functioning of the body. It helps maintain normal blood pressure, strengthens bones, and promotes a steady heart rate. A magnesium deficiency in the body puts you at risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
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