3 minVitamin C is the best-known vitamin for boosting your immune system. And a strong immune system reduces the risk of catching the flu. This is also important for your little one, especially when they go to nursery, where colds and flu spread easily. So how much vitamin C is recommended for your baby?
In this article, you will read:
- Why vitamin C is important for your child
- How much vitamin C your baby needs every day
- Which foods are rich in vitamin C
- When you might want to consider a vitamin C supplement
Why vitamin C?
In our bodies, vitamin C ensures that disease-causing bacteria and viruses are destroyed. It does this by stimulating the production of white blood cells. Vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it an important vitamin to take during periods when flu and colds are prevalent.
In addition to ensuring a healthy immune system, vitamin C is also important for the formation of connective tissue: the tissue that protects our organs. The third function of vitamin C is that it promotes the absorption of iron in the body.
Iron deficiency is quite common, especially among young children. Children need sufficient iron for the proper development of their thinking skills and muscle coordination. Vitamin C is an important daily vitamin for children and babies because it helps with the absorption of iron.
How much vitamin C?
There is no Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamin C for babies aged 0 to 5 months. From 6 months to a year, it is recommended that your child consume at least 20 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C per day.
If your baby consumes too much vitamin C, it will be excreted in the urine. This is because vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that the body does not store. At the same time, this also means that vitamin C in the body must be replenished every day.
An excess of vitamin C is not immediately dangerous: nausea and diarrhoea are the only symptoms associated with too much vitamin C. It is not easy to consume too much vitamin C from food, but you should stick to the dosage on the label of a vitamin C supplement.
In addition to vitamin C being important, babies need extra vitamin D and K every day.
Where is vitamin C found?
Various types of vegetables, fruit and potatoes are foods that are naturally rich in vitamin C. Please note: heating, and especially overcooking, causes vitamin C to be lost in food. When you eat the products at their peak ripeness, the vitamin C content is at its best.
Are the above products not on the menu every day? Then give your baby sufficient vitamin C with a supplement. With vitamin C drops for children & babies, you can easily mix the vitamin into bottle feeds or drinks, fruit purées or a bowl of yoghurt.
Conclusion
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin that helps your little one stay healthy and strong. It not only supports the immune system, but also the growth and development of the body. Getting enough vitamin C every day is not difficult – fresh vegetables, fruit and potatoes already provide a good basis. Does your child need a little extra? Then vitamin C drops are an easy solution. This way, you can give your baby a healthy start every day!
