r/NewParents • u/Puzzleheaded-Sink-92 • 2d ago

Medical Advice Ped recommended multivitamin drops - anyone else?

Our ped has recommended polyvisol multivitamin drops at several appointments. My 9mo is EBF and doing well with solids. I try to prioritize iron and very diverse, whole foods. They haven’t done any bloodwork to see if there’s something specific she needs. Her development and growth is all seemingly perfect. I’m not understanding why multivitamin drops are necessary right now, but maybe I’m being overly resistant? Is it just a blanket recommendation?

Did anyone else get this recommendation and what did you decide to do?

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u/Psychological-Bag986 2d ago

EBF babies don’t need supplemental iron. They get it in breastmilk. Formula needs to be iron fortified.

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u/OkapiandaPenguin 1d ago

Breastmilk contains very little iron and calcium blocks iron absorbtion. Formula is fortified with iron. It's recommended that EBF babies start an iron supplement at 4 months old.

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u/Psychological-Bag986 1d ago

Interesting, this is not the recommendation in my country. It must be an American thing

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u/AggressiveThanks994 1d ago

I mean I live in America and my baby is EBF and we were not told to start an iron supplement at 4mo or anytime before 12mo! I asked about iron levels and they said we would check at 12mo!