Multivitamins and Iron

Vitamins

These are given as Abidec, Dalivit or Mother & Children's drops which contain the vitamins A, D, E and C

Vitamins are essential for growth and development. Preterm infants are a particularly high risk group as they have poor stores at birth and increased requirement due to rapid growth.

The drops are given to babies who have a birthweight below 2500g. Drops are given daily once the baby is taking full milk feeds and it is recommended that the babies stay on some vitamin supplementation until a minimum of 1 year of age.

Iron (given as Sodium Feredate)

Iron is important in the production of healthy blood cells and is therefore useful in preventing anaemia. Preterm babies do not have stores of iron and are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiencies especially during the first year of life. Iron is better absorbed from breast milk than formula milk.

Babies who weigh less than 2500g at birth are prone to iron deficiency. Sodium Feredate is an Iron supplement, which comes in syrup form and is given orally once a day. Treatment starts when your baby is 4 weeks of age and is tolerating full milk feeds

If your baby needs Sodium Feredate but is discharged home before 6 weeks of age you will be given a letter for your GP with a date on which to start Sodium Feredate. It is recommended that Sodium Feredate be given until your baby is 9 months old (taken from the date at which he was due to have been born). Before stopping Iron your baby should be on a varied weaning diet. You can discuss this with your doctor or Health Visitor who will decide what is most appropriate for your baby

Nursing staff will ensure that you are confident with giving these medicines to your baby and you will be given information on safe storage. You will be given a limited supply of medicines your baby needs when he leaves hospital and future supplies will be available from your GP.

Folic Acid

Folic acid is another vitamin which is important in making red blood cells. Babies who are taking iron should also take folic acid. Some babies who have had jaundice in the newborn period will need to take folic acid daily for several weeks. The doctor in clinic will tell you when to stop.