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Liquid Vitamins and Breastfeeding
During both pregnancy and nursing, it is important
that a woman’s diet include an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals
both for herself and for the baby. Most infant formulas and early
childhood foods contain added vitamins, however if the woman is
breast-feeding, then vitamin supplements are usually required to make
sure that her baby receives a sufficient supply of essential vitamins.
The most important nutrients for a newborn are Vitamin D and iron. In
addition, many breastfeeding mothers tend to be deficient in calcium,
folic acid, magnesium, zinc, and Vitamin B6. A vitamin supplement
suitable for use during breastfeeding should include these vitamins and
minerals, as well as Vitamin D, iron, thiamin and riboflavin.
It is important to note, however, that while vitamins are an essential
part of the daily diet, they may be harmful to a newborn baby if the
concentration of vitamins in breast milk is too high. For this reason,
it is recommended that a nursing mother choose a vitamin supplement that
contains no more than 100% of the recommended daily intake of each
vitamin for one adult. In conjunction with a balanced diet, this will
ensure that both mother and baby receive an adequate supply of essential
nutrients. A vitamin and mineral supplement formulated specifically for
women will normally meet these needs without supplying harmful amounts
of vitamins to the baby. It is also recommended that a woman choose a
vitamin supplement in conjunction with medical advice, to make sure that
both she and the baby get all of the nutrients they need.
Liquid vitamins are quickly becoming popular as a way of ensuring that
the body gets all the nutrients it needs every day. Traditional vitamin
supplements in pill and capsule form rarely supply the recommended daily
intake of any vitamin or mineral. This is because the additives in such
formulations prevent a significant amount of absorption of vitamins by
the body. Liquid vitamins do not contain such additives, and therefore
the bioavailability of vitamins in these types of supplements is much
higher. Vitamins in liquid form are considered to be safe to use during
both pregnancy and breast feeding, making them an ideal way of ensuring
that both mother and baby have adequate nutrition during those
all-important early months. |