The Top 3 Supplements in The First Year of Life
As a naturopathic doctor, I am often asked about the best supplements to consider for newborns in their first year of life. It's important to remember that a newborn's nutritional needs are unique, and breast milk or formula typically provides the essential nutrients they require. However, there are a few supplements that can be beneficial for ensuring your baby's health and well-being during their first year. In this blog post, we will explore the top three supplements for newborns: DHA, Vitamin D3/K2, and Probiotics, backed by research on their benefits.
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
Docosahexaenoic Acid, commonly known as DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid that plays a crucial role in brain and eye development, as well as in the immune function of newborns. DHA is naturally present in breast milk (in very small amounts) and is added to many infant formulas.
Pregnant women should aim for 1-2grams of DHA per day between diet and supplementation. DHA is found in mackerel, sardines, eggs, and algae.
Research on DHA for infants:
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that DHA supplementation in preterm infants led to improved visual acuity and better cognitive development compared to a control group.
Another study published in the Journal of Nutrition showed that term infants who received DHA-supplemented in formula had enhanced attention and problem-solving skills.
The daily dose of infant DHA is dependent upon weight, so check the bottle and remember to change your dose as your baby grows bigger. Both breastfed and formula fed infants can benefit from supplemented DHA
Favorite product:
Nordic Naturals DHA Infant: this is my go-to product because they do exceptional third party testing for contaminants and heavy metals
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is essential for the development of healthy bones and a strong immune system. Vitamin D essential effects every physiological process within the body, as almost every cell in the body contains vitamin D receptors!
While some Vitamin D is obtained from sunlight exposure and eventually via food, infants, especially those exclusively breastfed, may require supplementation. Vitamin K2 is often recommended alongside Vitamin D for better calcium utilization and bone health.
Ideally we would be getting our vitamin D exclusively from the sun and food, and yet research shows us (& what I see clinically in my patients) is that most adults and children are deficient.
Research on vitamin D3 for infants:
A study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics found that maternal supplementation with 6,400 IU of Vitamin D3 daily while breastfeeding led to higher Vitamin D levels in their infants, reducing the risk of Vitamin D deficiency.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2017) explored the effects of vitamin D supplementation in infancy on the development of the immune system. The research indicated that vitamin D supplementation in infancy may reduce the risk of respiratory infections and wheezing during early childhood.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (2016) examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and the risk of developing allergic diseases, including the atopic triad. The analysis suggested that higher vitamin D levels in early life were associated with a reduced risk of developing allergic diseases.
A longitudinal study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2019) followed children from birth to six years of age and assessed the impact of early-life vitamin D supplementation on the development of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis. The study found that vitamin D supplementation during infancy was associated with a reduced risk of developing atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.
The recommended daily dose of vitamin D3 for an infant 0-12 months old is 400 IU (international units), or 10 mcg (micrograms), per AAP recommendations.
Favorite product:
Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3: I prefer this specific product because the carrier oil for the vitamin D3 is organic extra virgin olive oil, whereas other brands often contain GMO palm oil, which is inflammatory.
Vitamin D3 is easily administered by dropping the liquid directly into baby’s mouth, applying to mom’s nipple, or adding directly to baby’s bottle. If you are supplementing with formula or baby is exclusively on formula, be sure to check your specific formula to see if it has added vitamin D3. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, meaning our body will not excrete extra vitamin D once we hit our needs. Be sure to follow the instructions given on the bottle to prevent administering too much.
Probiotics
Probiotics and its role in optimizing gut health has been gaining traction as research catches up to what indigenous cultures have known all along. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support a healthy gut microbiome. These microbes have a mutual beneficial relationship with the human body that provide many essential health benefits like vitamin production, detoxification of xenobiotics, immune system modulation, and neurotransmitter production.
The microbiome is its own ecosystem that needs to be in balance. We know that low levels of specific probiotic strains contribute to higher risk of developing eczema, allergies, and colic. We also know that elevated levels of specific strains of bacteria in older children like Citrobacter and Klebsiella can contribute to autoimmunity.
Baby gets their first exposure to microbes while in utero, via the placental microbiome. The placental microbiome is the most related to the oral microbiome of mom, so optimizing oral health preconception is so important for baby’s long term health. Moms are the stewards of immune education via their microbes.
Baby’s next exposure will either be via mom’s vaginal canal or skin-to-skin post c-section delivery. Research has identified a significant difference between babies microbiomes who are delivered via vaginal delivery and c-section. Baby’s born via vaginal delivery have considerably higher bifidobacterium and bacteroides levels, which ideal. Compared to baby’s born via c-section which have higher levels of Enterobacteraceae and opportunistic pathogens that can contribute to symptoms in newborns and contribute to early autoimmunity if not addressed properly.
Mom’s are ideally alternating broad spectrum probiotics and spore based probiotics during pregnancy to optimize her microbiome and therefore transmission to baby.
Research on Probiotics for Newborns:
Research in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggested that probiotics may help reduce the risk of allergic diseases in infants, such as eczema.
Probiotic supplementation with B. infantis within the first month postnatal, in combination with breast milk, resulted in stable colonization that persisted until at least one year postnatal.
The Teddy study results revealed that the first year of life is a key phase for development of the microbiome via breast milk, the second year of life is transitional, and microbiome is stabilized in the third year of life. Cessation of breastfeeding was identified as a major factor in determining gut microbiota maturation with shifts in signature species.
Probiotics can be especially useful for newborns who were born via c-section or if antibiotics were used in pregnancy, during labor, or postpartum for either baby or mom. If baby is on formula, a probiotic is an absolute must as research has shown that even one bottle contributes to a shift in baby’s immune system that increases the risk of allergies, eczema, type 1 diabetes, and more.They can also be helping in infants who experience digestive issues and allergies.
If baby is being breastfed and does not have symptoms, I prefer to have mom taking probiotics, as the microbes are passed through breast milk. If baby is on formula and/or is having any symptoms, I recommend giving directly to the baby.
Probiotics may not be effective in babies if there is a mismatch in needs. The carbohydrate needs of the probiotics and human oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breast milk need to be aligned. Because of this, there is no one BEST probiotic. It really is individual. However, there is substantial research showing B. infantis can be beneficial for breastfed babies.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not meant to be interpreted as medical advice. This is purely for informational and educational purposes only. Young Medicine supports body autonomy, education, open access information, and informed consent. The health of you and your family is your own responsibility. As always, discuss any medical questions or concerns with your physician or pediatrician.
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