Infant Dosage for Poly-Vi-Sol Vitamins

Poly-Vi-Sol is a vitamin and mineral supplement in drop form made by Enfamil, a company that also makes formula for infants. The drops contain several different nutrients that infants need for proper development, and are particularly recommended for periods of rapid growth or growth spurts, and during the transition to solid foods.

Poly-Vi-Sol contains nine different vitamins and minerals that all humans need to maintain health and cellular function, but that are particularly hard for infants to get enough of if they're transitioning to solid foods and aren't eating a balanced diet. The major nutrient components include vitamins A, C, D, and E, several B-vitamins, and iron. Other ingredients in the nutrient mixture include water and artificial fruit flavoring agents that make the drops easier for babies to tolerate.

According to the printed information included with Enfamil's Poly-Vi-Sol, your baby should receive 1 dropper of supplement once per day; this corresponds to a 1 mL dose. Because Poly-Vi-Sol contains iron, which is toxic in large quantities -- particularly in babies and children -- it's important not to give more Poly-Vi-Sol than recommended by the directions. You should also keep the vitamins out of the reach of children to prevent an accidental overdose.

Enfamil recommends Poly-Vi-Sol particularly for infants and toddlers during transitions, and for picky eaters. The package insert notes that the drops contain 400 IU of vitamin D, which the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends for babies and toddlers to foster proper bone growth and prevent rickets. Enfamil also notes that you can use the drops without concern if your child has allergies or food sensitivities, as the drops are sugar-, lactose-, and gluten-free.

In his book "Eat, Sleep, Poop," pediatrician Dr. Scott Cohen points out that the healthiest diet for a baby of less than a year of age is comprised entirely or primarily of either breast milk or infant formula. If you've begun introducing solids and are concerned about vitamins and minerals in your baby's diet, you might consider Poly-Vi-Sol drops as a supplement. However, you should contact your pediatrician if your baby refuses to consume breast milk or formula for more than a few hours at a time; vitamin and mineral supplements don't provide calories and can't be used to make up for a failure to eat appropriately.