3 MinYour midwife has probably already told you that your baby needs extra vitamin D and K. But how do you choose from the wide range of children's vitamins available? By deciding what is important to you. For example, do you want to avoid giving your child artificial additives? Then a natural vitamin is the best choice. Read about this and three other benefits of natural vitamin D and K for babies in this article.
In this article, you will read
- The difference between natural and synthetic vitamins
- Four benefits of natural vitamin D and K for babies
- Practical tips for giving vitamins to your child
What is the difference between natural and synthetic vitamins?
As mentioned, the choice depends on what you consider important for your child. However, there are a number of important reasons to choose natural vitamins D and K. The choice ultimately comes down to whether you choose a natural or synthetic vitamin. What is the difference?
A natural vitamin is a vitamin that – as the word suggests – comes from nature. To make natural vitamin supplements, vitamins are extracted from nature: from plants and/or animal products. Synthetic vitamins are natural vitamins that are replicated in a laboratory. In other words: natural vitamins are extracted from nature and synthetic vitamins are made in a factory.
This provides a little more context, but what exactly are the practical advantages of natural vitamins D and K compared to synthetic variants?
Four advantages of natural vitamins D and K
#1. No artificial colours, flavours or fragrances
Natural vitamins D and K do not contain any artificial substances to make the vitamin drops taste better for your little one. And that is often completely unnecessary: most natural drops have little taste and can easily be mixed with breast milk (including expressed milk) without your little one noticing anything while drinking. In other cases, a natural flavouring is added for taste.
#2. Gluten-free
Natural vitamin D and K is often gluten-free. Gluten is mainly found in grain products, but some synthetic multivitamins also contain gluten. So always read the label carefully.
#3. Suitable for vegetarians
Natural vitamin D and K, provided it is 100% plant-based, can also be taken if you have a vegetarian lifestyle and want to pass this on to your child. The vitamin K must also be vitamin K1 extracted from plants. Vitamin K2 is extracted from animal products.
#4. Free from E numbers
This last advantage applies in particular to natural vitamin D supplements in pill form. This is not an issue during infancy, as these vitamins are available in drop form. However, it is important to bear this in mind when your child is a few years older and you are considering switching to vitamin D in pill form.
The colourings and flavour enhancers we mentioned earlier are, of course, also E numbers, but natural vitamin D does not contain magnesium stearate (E572) and stearic acid (E570). These E numbers are mainly known as glazing agents and anti-caking agents that are regularly used in synthetic vitamins.
Extra vitamin D and K: how does it work?
One more thing: for the first few months, it is easier to buy a vitamin D&K supplement in drop form for your baby, i.e. a supplement that contains both vitamins and is easy to take. This way, you have everything you need in one bottle.
You can start giving these vitamins from one week after birth. Because you basically no longer need to give vitamin K after 12 weeks (your child's body can then produce the vitamin itself), you can switch to a vitamin D supplement that is suitable for babies and children.
Always choose special children's vitamins, because regular vitamin D contains a dosage that is designed for adults and is often higher than what is recommended for babies and children.
Find out more about our natural vitamin D and K for babies: VitaminFit vitamin K+ D3 baby drops. These drops for babies are 100% plant-based and natural, so they contain no artificial additives, E numbers or gluten and are suitable for a vegan lifestyle.
Conclusion
Do you want to give your baby the best start in a natural way? Then a natural vitamin D and K supplement is definitely for you. No artificial additives, often gluten-free and perfect for vegetarians or vegans. And best of all, you don't have to worry about unnecessary E numbers! So you can be sure that your little one is getting only the best.
