👶To give or not to give the supplements is the question👶 As a first time mother I feel there are so many things or situations for that matter which keep us challenging. Giving supplements would be one of them. We have so many questions regarding nutrients supplements. I too was a bit confused about to when, why and how I should proceed with it or not to. So I asked two of our pediatricians about it. I will just put  together what understood by the conversation that I had with them... Your pediatrician may prescribe following supplements to u:

1.Calcium

2.Vit D

3.Vit A

4.Iron 1.Calcium:

-One of the most important elements for babies.

- Essential for healthy muscles and nervous system.

-Calcium also helps develop bones.

-During the first year of your baby’s life, he gains weight rapidly. Proper bone mass in adulthood is the result of proper calcium intake from infancy to adolescence. To give or not :

Yes.

Exclusively breastfeeding mother are supposed to be taking the supplements. Her own calcium passes on to baby via milk.  After 5-6 months baby's diet is supplemented with calcium syrup. 2.Iron:

Take oxygen through the blood to all the cells.

If babies don't have enough iron they may gain weight very slowly. To give or not:

Yes.

-Full-term healthy babies receive enough iron from their mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy to last for the first four months of life.

-Premature babies should get an iron supplement by the time they are 8 weeks old until 1st bday.

-Human milk contains little iron, so those who are exclusively BF are at increased risk of iron deficiency after 4 months of age.

-While bottle-fed infants typically receive a formula fortified with iron.

-When your older infant switches to eating more solid foods, they might not be eating enough iron-rich foods. This puts them at risk for iron-deficiency anemia. 3.Vit D

-Needed to to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate. To give or not:

Optional.

- if you are exposing your newborn to sunlight since he has born at least for 10 minutes a day.

Give.

-In to lack of sunlight.

(My case👉The amount of vitamin D in breastmilk depends upon mom’s vitamin D status. If mother has Vit D deficiencies you must give.)
4. Vit A

-Your rapid growth

-One against infections.

- Deficiencies may lead to visual impairment. To give or not:

No.

-For infants.

During pregnancy.

Yes.

-Only if your pediatrician feels that your child needs it.(Mine does😢). Most of the elders won't agree for giving but I trusted my peds n did accordingly.

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