Can someone enlighten me as to why I'm supposed to give my breastfed baby vitamin drops? If God gave us boobs to feed our kiddos, didn't he make it so that's *ALL* they would need? The public health nurse gave them to me and said breastfed babies need them... I'm just confused as to why???

I've *never* heard of that...

it's standard practice in canada for them to tell you that because we live in an area with low sunlight hours in winter. our nurse told us that too.... we pretty much ignored such advice... the only cases of actual serious vit D problems were found in breastfed babies whose mothers were completely covered (like wore a burka and never had any sun on their face/hands as a result). as long as you and your baby's face and hands are getting some sun (which will be more often now that it's summer), I wouldn't worry about it. you can also take vit D yourself and some will pass on in your breastmilk.

I personally think health canada is way overboard. I mean they even ban raw cow milk as a health hazard, which human beings have drank for centuries. now they want us to think human milk isn't 100% enough for our babies either. lol

It is vitamin D that they want your little one to have. You can research the health benefits and decide if you would like to take it or give it to your baby. We all take it here when I remember. :-D

What Kathaleen said.

I never gave my babies vitamin drops, though, and they survived! :D

I have generally given my kids the drops in the past. Although, I've found that the public health nurses that I've dealt with have often been rather insistent about it (you must!!) and really cranky with you if you decide not to do something they "suggest". There have been times I've just refused to tell them things that I know they will berate me for. All that to say, whatever you decide, don't let the public health nurse let you feel bad about it. :)

Our ped always recommended Tri-Vi-Sol (vit A,C,D) for infants but I used them sporadically at best with my middle son bec he was born early w/ mild jaundice. Not using them with this baby at all and don't remember using them with my first, but not sure.

I think it is bec it is assumed that most modern diets are not as vitamin-rich as they once were.

Yeah, we were "advised" to use the drops, but we have not given them to either girl. We live in the Pacific Northwest where there isn't A LOT of sun in the non-summer months but we do not cover our children up with blankets because sun is on them. We let them feel the blessings of sun and fresh air that the Lord gave us, and we also trust the breastmilk the Lord provided.
Honestly, I cannot tell you of one person I know who has ever come across my path who has had ricketts. (that is the reason we are told to give the kids vitamins).
When Em turned about 2.5 or 3 we started giving her gummy vitamins because the kid is so darn picky when she eats, but we also give her gummy fish oil and gummy calcium. We try and give our kids whole foods, but sometimes we lack, or sometimes they just don't wanna eat so we just cover our bases.

blessings,
Amber

I take vitamins and I try to eat healthy. I did use the poly-vi-sol with #1 - born very early and with severe jaundice...

didn't use them for the other kids. I think diet is key. I have those whole good gummis for #3 because he's SO picky, and if I have an 'unhealthy' eating day, I eat a couple of those. I personally never eat fish, so I take Omega 3's. I do get omega 3-6-9 through things like avocados, nuts, and sesame seeds, but I don't eat enough of that stuff.

I'm sure some of the families I see when I am at the grocery store SHOULD really be giving their babies those vitamins... gosh I try not to judge but it makes me sad to see some of these carts... no produce, all processed/boxed/frozen snacky-type foods and tons of pop and empty greasy, salty snacks.

I'm sure some of the families I see when I am at the grocery store SHOULD really be giving their babies those vitamins... gosh I try not to judge but it makes me sad to see some of these carts... no produce, all processed/boxed/frozen snacky-type foods and tons of pop and empty greasy, salty snacks.

I realized that sometimes my cart looks that way. the other day all i bought was a ton of pop and frozen pizza. we get most of our produce and beef organic, direct from my in-law's farm. and we grind our own wheat and bake our own bread and make our own cracked wheat and cream of wheat porridge. and i buy a lot at the farmer's market. so when i get to the grocery store, well, usually all i have left to buy is junk. :-)