Vitamins and minerals your baby needs while weaning
Give your baby 5 micrograms of vitamin D3 as a supplement every day from birth to 12 months if they are:
- taking less than 300mls or 10 fluid oz (ounces) of infant formula a day
All babies who are being breastfed should continue to get a vitamin D supplement after birth, even if you took vitamin D during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
You do not need to give your baby a vitamin D supplement if they are fed more than 300mls or 10 fluid oz (ounces) of infant formula a day. This is because there has been an increase in the amount of vitamin D added to infant formula. This is due to a change in EU law as of February 2020.
There are many suitable infant vitamin D3 supplements available to buy in Ireland. Use a supplement that contains vitamin D only.
Iron is important to help your baby grow and develop. It is an important part of the pigment in red blood cells called haemoglobin. This carries oxygen and prevents iron deficiency anaemia.
Your baby needs to get iron from solid foods of a suitable consistency from 6 months old. This is because their stores of iron are depleted.
Good food sources of iron
Iron from meat is easily absorbed. Meat source include:
Non-meat sources - this form of iron is not so easily absorbed, see vitamin C below. Non-meat sources include:
- baked beans, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, spinach
- cereals with added iron
- dried fruits, such as raisins, sultanas, apricots
Vitamin C helps the absorption of iron in the body when eaten at the same time as non-meat sources.
Good food sources of vitamin C include:
- oranges or mandarins
- berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
- kiwi fruit
Omega 3 is important for brain and eye development.
Oily fish like salmon, trout, mackerel or sardines are good sources of omega 3. These can be tinned, fresh or frozen.
Include two 1oz portions of oily fish a week from 7 months of age.