Most medical professionals will agree that breastfeeding is the best and healthiest way to feed your new baby. In addition to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, breast milk also helps protect the baby against infections. However, many experts say that simply following a well-balanced diet may not be enough to ensure that breastfeeding mothers get the nutrients they need to maintain optimal health. Most doctors suggest that mothers supplement their diets with vitamins while breastfeeding.
If your baby has NAS, talk to your provider and your baby's provider about breastfeeding and how to make sure it's safe for your baby. Vitamin B12 in breast milk supports a baby's brain development and helps the baby produce healthy red blood cells. Ask your healthcare provider about taking a vitamin B12 supplement to make sure you and your baby get the right amount. To avoid developing vitamin D deficiency, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that breastfed or partially breastfed babies receive a supplement of 400 IU per day of vitamin D from the first days of life.
If you have problems with constipation or an upset stomach, switch to a general multivitamin containing 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). While reducing sun exposure is important for preventing cancer, it also reduces the amount of vitamin D a person can produce from sunlight. Once a child has started eating solid foods, parents can ensure that their child gets enough vitamin D from food or supplements. The risk of vitamin D deficiency increases when there is limited exposure to sunlight or when the baby does not consume an adequate amount of vitamin D.
A multivitamin complex contains many vitamins (such as vitamins B and C and folic acid) and minerals (such as iron and calcium) that help the body stay healthy. Breastfeeding mothers should take some type of daily multivitamin that contains 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA). However, breastfeeding women have unique nutritional needs that aren't necessarily met with a typical prenatal vitamin to help ensure optimal health for both mother and baby.
