Vitamin D: Start supplementing 2 weeks after birth, 400 IU per day, until age 2. Iron: From 6 months on, obtain it from complementary foods—iron-fortified rice cereal, red meat puree, animal liver. DHA: The breastfeeding mom should supplement herself, or choose formula milk containing DHA. Calcium: Babies who drink milk normally do not need extra calcium supplements.
分类： 营养百科_en
营养素知识、补充剂选择与搭配
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Which Nutrients Does Your Baby Need?
Vitamin D: start supplementing 2 weeks after birth, 400 IU daily, continue until age 2. Iron: obtained from solids after 6 months—iron-fortified rice cereal, red meat puree, animal liver. DHA: the breastfeeding mom supplements herself, or choose formula containing DHA. Calcium: babies who drink milk normally do not need extra calcium supplements.
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Baby Nutrition Supplement Guide: How to Supplement Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and DHA
Vitamin D
Why supplement: Breast milk is extremely low in vitamin D, yet babies need it to promote calcium absorption.
- Start at 2 weeks after birth, 400 IU daily
- Continue until age 2; after that, decide based on the situation
- Choose a pure vitamin D3 drop; no need for combined A-D preparation
Calcium
Need to supplement? Babies who drink milk normally usually don’t need extra calcium.
- 0–6 months: calcium in breast milk or formula is sufficient
- 6–12 months: over 600 ml of milk plus calcium from complementary foods
- 1–3 years: 300–500 ml of milk daily, paired with soy products and leafy greens
Iron
Why supplement: After 6 months, the iron reserves babies got from the mother are depleted and must come from complementary foods.
- Choose iron-fortified rice cereal as the first complementary food
- Eat more red meat puree, animal liver puree (1–2 times per week)
- Pair with vitamin C foods to boost iron absorption (tomatoes, oranges, etc.)
DHA
Role: promotes brain and retinal development.
- Breastfeeding moms should supplement DHA themselves
- Formula usually already contains added DHA
- During complementary feeding, eat deep-sea fish: salmon, cod
Principle of supplementation: food first, supplement only if deficient. Don’t blindly take multiple nutrients; it’s best under a doctor’s guidance.