Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I tell that my baby is thriving?
• How can I make sure my baby is getting enough iron?
• Should I give my baby vitamin drops?
• My baby is constipated - what should I do?
• When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
• Is a vegetarian diet suitable for babies and young children?

• You will know if your baby is getting all the nutrients and energy needed for development if he/she is growing at the desired rate and gaining weight.
• In the first few months of your baby's life, you should make regular visits to your health visitor or doctor for them to monitor your baby's progress.
• If you have any anxieties about your baby's growth and development you should discuss these on these visits or at the routine development reviews your baby will have at certain stages of development

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• In the UK iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder during early childhood. It is important to ensure that your baby is getting enough iron to make sure they do not become iron-deficient (manifestations of this may be reduced energy levels, poor appetite, listlessness).
• After 6 months of age, the iron stores your baby was born with will probably have been used up so the diet will need to meet your baby's increasing iron needs. 'Haem' iron (the type of iron found in meat) is better absorbed than 'non-haem', the type of iron found in vegetables, pulses, cereals and fruits. Foods rich in 'haem' iron, particularly red meat but also other meats and meat products, should be introduced to your baby's diet by 6-8 months (unless you want to give your baby a meat-free diet).
• Non' haem' iron from foods such as fortified cereals, green leafy vegetables, peas, beans and pulses, dried apricots, is less well absorbed but provides very useful sources of iron in the weaning diet. You can increase your baby's absorption of this iron from foods by offering a source of vitamin C at the same time, e.g. vegetables, fruit, diluted fruit juice.
• High intakes of dietary fibre inhibit iron absorption and can lead to your baby failing to thrive so these should be avoided.
• Breast milk, Infant milk and Follow-on milk contain iron and should be used as the main milk drink until at least 12 months.
• By giving your baby a wide variety of foods that contain iron you should be able to meet your baby's iron needs. Iron supplementation should not be necessary and is not routinely recommended.

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• Vitamin supplements containing vitamins A and D are recommended from 6 months for babies receiving breast milk as their main milk drink. Babies fed an infant milk or follow-on milk do not need vitamin supplements if they take more than 500ml/day, but if their intake is less than this they will need to have vitamin drops too.
• If you think your baby may need vitamin supplementation, vitamin drops are available from your health visitor, doctor or clinic and are free to those in financial hardship. Babies needing to take these drops need to have 5 drops per day, and this should be given on a spoon and not added to bottle feeds.
• You should not give any other vitamin and mineral supplements unless they are medically indicated.

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• Some babies may appear to become slightly constipated during weaning as the amount of milk consumed decreases as the amount of food eaten increases.
• The first thing you should do is make sure your baby is drinking well and that you are giving your baby fruit and vegetables regularly.
• Wholewheat products can be given from 6 months e.g. wholemeal bread, beans, lentils, wholewheat cereals, but you should not give large amounts of these foods as they are bulky and may reduce your baby's energy intake.
• Similarly, you should not give bran to babies and children under 5 years as it is too bulky and it may impair their absorption of vital nutrients from their food, such as iron and zinc.
• If your baby still appears constipated after making any of these changes, you should talk to your health visitor or doctor.

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• You should start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as they appear, using a small soft brush and a pea-sized amount of a baby toothpaste. If your baby will not allow you to use a toothbrush, try putting a small amount of toothpaste onto a soft cloth to start with.
• It is important that you start good dental hygiene early to help your baby have good healthy teeth.

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• A vegetarian diet can provide all the nutrients a baby needs to grow and develop properly, but it is important that you make sure that the diet is sensible and contains a wide variety of foods. At the start of weaning, all the first weaning foods mentioned in the 'Weaning' section can be given e.g. fruit and vegetable purees, gluten free cereals. From 6 months, iron-containing pulses (peas, beans, lentils), green leafy vegetables, fortified cereals and eggs, can be introduced.
• All mealtimes should include a good source of vitamin C to aid iron absorption. Nut pastes or peanut butter can be a useful protein source in vegetarian diets, but if there is a family history of allergic disease, then these should not be given until the child is at least 3 years old.
• Although babies and children can be fed vegetarian diets, they can be bulky and low in energy, particularly if wholegrain products are always given. The use of these foods should be limited, particularly in babies, and the energy content of the diet should be carefully watched.
• Vegan diets, where all animal products are avoided, have been found to be deficient in vitamin B12, low in energy, low in some essential fatty acids and minerals (zinc, iron). If you want your child to follow a vegan diet, it will be necessary to regularly assess their growth and development.
• A wide range of HiPP Organic baby foods are available for parents wanting to wean their babies on a vegetarian diet.

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