Make sure your baby's formula has these essential nutrients for your baby
One of the most important parts of your baby’s development is ensuring that they are getting all the nutrients they need. When you are looking for the best baby formula for your precious infant, you want to make sure that it includes those nutrients.
You do not need to stress about the nutrients as long as you are ensuring that your baby is well-fed and growing properly. If you are concerned about the nutrients your baby needs, then here is a list to help you out.
What are the essential nutrients for your baby?
Every parent worries that their child isn’t developing properly. Doing your part to ensure that your child gets the appropriate nutrients needed is one of best things you can do. Knowing what those nutrients are is power and sets you on the right path to giving everything you can to your baby. Knowing what your formula should contain will help you avoid falling prey to common myths surrounding baby formulas.
Calcium – This is one of the essential nutrients needed for development. This nutrient is responsible for the development of bones and teeth. Calcium will help to make sure that your baby’s bones and teeth are strong.
Fat – This may not seem like it is essential given all the media against fat, but for a growing baby, this is one of the most important nutrients. Fat is responsible for brain development, and helps to keep both the skin and the hair healthy, along with protecting your baby from infections.
Iron – You know this nutrient as the one for blood, and you are right. Iron is essential to building blood cells and brain development. As part of hemoglobin, iron must be in the body in order to carry oxygen throughout your baby’s body through red blood cells.
Protein – Growing babies need energy and fuel to develop appropriately. Both protein and carbohydrates are excellent for helping your baby gain muscle fuel and energy for all that playing they are bound to do.
Zinc – This vitamin is very much an essential vitamin for your baby’s cellular growth. Zinc helps your cells to grow and repair themselves. Furthermore, this vitamin is needed for developing proteins and DNA. Not enough Zinc can lead to underdevelopment.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Your baby’s eyes, brain, and immune development are relying on this nutrient. Your baby’s body and yours do not produce this nutrient, so it must be added. You want to ensure that your baby is getting this from fortified milk or vitamins.
Additional Nutrients
On top of all these essential nutrients, there are more than your baby is going to need. Every vitamin and nutrient is essential to make sure your baby is healthy. These vitamins and nutrients are:
Vitamin A – Great for skin, hair, and eyes. Consuming this vitamin will help give your baby strong hair, soft skin, and great vision.
Vitamins B1, 2, 3 6 and 12 – These help your body turn food into energy, boost brain power, develop nerves, and helps build up the immune system.
Vitamin C- This vitamin is known for fighting off infections and building up bones and muscles.
Vitamin D – For your body to absorb calcium from food, you need vitamin D. Additionally, this vitamin helps to keep both your teeth and bones healthy and strong.
Vitamin E – This vitamin is important for helping your immune system to grow and develop with strength. Additionally, it helps to protect your cells from damage.
Vitamin K – Another key vitamin for your baby’s development as it is the one you want your baby to have when they get hurt. Your baby’s blood cannot clot if your baby does not have enough vitamin K.
The Bottom Line:
There are many ways you can make sure that your baby is getting all the nutrients they need. Deficiencies in these nutrients can cause growth stunting, as well as mental and physical developmental issues. However, you don’t need to stress over making sure your baby is getting enough of these vitamins and nutrients.
Almost all of the best formulas for babies come with enough of the nutrients that are required for your baby to develop properly, and you can always switch to a different formula if you're not sure a certain brand is giving your baby what they need. Even if you breastfeed your baby, there are ways you can make sure that your baby gets these vitamins through vitamin drops or adding some fortified formula to their diet.
Once your baby starts to eat soft baby foods, you can play around with different combinations to ensure your baby is getting the right amount of nutrients. Making sure there are plenty of proteins, fruits, and vegetables as well as milk is enough to keep your baby healthy.
Resources — Parents, WebMD, Parents.com
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