Any woman who has recently become a mother is primarily concerned about the health of her baby. A newborn child needs not only feeding and swaddling, it is necessary to provide his growing body with a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. In particular, vitamin D, which is the main catalyst that promotes good absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This element is required for the correct formation of the skeleton of the baby and prevents the development of diseases such as rickets and osteoporosis.
Vitamin D3 Suppliers
Basically, vitamin D3 is produced by our own body under the influence of ultraviolet rays, and only a small part we get from food.
Therefore, in the autumn-winter period, especially in a large city, as a rule, there is a clear lack of this vitamin. And if it is not in the mother’s body, it means that her breast milk also contains an insufficient amount of the element for the full development of the baby’s bone and nervous system.
One of the most popular vitamin D deficiency supplements is Aquadetrim. For infants, this is a significant help in stabilizing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body. This water-based drug is considered an excellent tool for the prevention of rickets and is often used when nursing premature babies.
However, any vitamins are still a medicine that is not always suitable for a specific child, and a small patient may be allergic to Aquadetrim. Usually this is due to the improper composition of the drug, so pediatricians recommend changing the aqueous solution of the vitamin to an oil analog.
Pros of using Aquadetrim
The action of Aquadetrim and the presence or absence of side effects are mainly due to the individual characteristics of the body. In the absence of individual intolerance to the drug, the drug is very effective not only in the prevention, but also in the treatment of rickets and osteoporosis.
In addition, the baby's sleep normalizes and the general condition improves. Also, immunity is enhanced due to the ability of vitamin D3 to delay the washing out of the body of other elements and vitamins.
Another advantage of the drug is that it is quite simple to dose. One drop of the drug contains a sufficient amount of vitamin D3. In addition, the poor and large mothers, the drug "Aquadetrim" for babies are often given in clinics for free.
Disadvantages of Aquadetrim
First of all, the composition of the drug, which includes a large number of different chemical components, including additives under the E label and benzyl alcohol, causes great doubt . It is rather doubtful that such a “cocktail” will be useful for a small child. It is the synthetic components, as a rule, that are the cause of the appearance of a rash on the skin and other allergic reactions in the baby. Such manifestations often make young mothers think about how to replace the “Aquadetrim”.
Judging by consumer reviews, the dispenser, which often overflows the amount of liquid, is not entirely convenient. Also, many do not like the taste and smell of the drug, in which anise flavoring was added as a fragrance, by the way, also consisting of synthetic components.
How to replace "Aquadetrim"?
Of course, the most famous substitute is ordinary fish oil. In addition, there are a number of similar drugs, such as Vigantol, Multi-Tabs, Videhol and other medicines. Thus, to find an analogue of "Aquadetrim " oil-based not so difficult.
Young mothers have to look for a replacement for "Aquadetrim" not only because of the intolerance of the drug to the child, many are scared by the price. Today, the cost of the drug "Aquadetrim" (vitamin D3) in a 10 ml package is 220–250 rubles, while the price of fish oil in a 50 ml bottle is only 120 rubles.
In addition, the vitamin content in pharmaceuticals is also significantly different. Therefore, if your baby has signs of individual intolerance to Aquadetrim, it makes sense to replace it with another drug.
Let's look at how to replace Aquadetrim, and find out the pros and cons of using each of the tools. Preparations containing vitamin D3 are available in two main forms (in the form of an oily and aqueous solution) and may have additional components.
Everyone "favorite" fish oil
The most famous replacement for Aquadetrim is, of course, fish oil, which most children categorically do not accept due to its specific taste. In fact, today the unpleasant taste of this drug may not be felt due to the appearance of such a form of release as a gelatin capsule. At the same time, the tool did not lose its advantages at all. First of all, fish oil practically does not cause allergies due to the lack of chemicals in its composition, while Aquadetrim consists exclusively of synthetic compounds. However, some children still have an increased sensitivity to fish oil, in addition, the drug is contraindicated in hemophilia.
The benefits of fish oil
In addition to vitamin D3, this analogue of Aquadetrim also contains vitamin A and omega-3 acids. Therefore, it additionally contributes to the development of the brain and nervous system of the baby, and also improves the condition of the skin, mucous membranes and hair.
Due to its natural composition, fish oil is much more suitable for the prevention of rickets and other diseases, unlike Aquadetrim, which is recommended for treatment.
Using fish oil, it is quite difficult to get an overdose, while uncontrolled intake of Aquadetrim may well lead to the appearance of symptoms of hypervitaminosis.
Fish oil is much cheaper than Aquadetrim. Analogs, the price of which is significantly lower than the cost of the funds in question, often prove to be better and more useful. This fully applies to fish oil.
What makes fish oil worse?
The inconvenience of fish oil is that it is more difficult for him to determine the exact dosage necessary for the baby, therefore, in what quantity to use this remedy, a pediatrician must individually appoint in each case.
If fish oil is an oil product, then Aquadetrim is a water-based preparation. On the one hand, Aquadetrim is absorbed faster, but natural animal fat is better. But this rule works for an adult. Metabolism in young children, especially infants, is a little different, the oil solution is absorbed much worse than water. Therefore, it is likely that the baby will not receive the necessary elements.
Another point to consider when you are faced with the question of whether to choose "Aquadetrim" or fish oil. When the latter comes in contact with oxygen, which is part of the air, the drug becomes toxic and can lead to severe poisoning. Therefore, it is necessary to store the product in a tightly closed container in a cool dark place. The most suitable option is in the refrigerator.
Benefits of Gelatin Capsules
Today, the most common form of release of the drug is fat, sealed in gelatin capsules, which have a number of advantages compared to a liquid remedy.
Many children strongly dislike the taste of fish oil, but this problem is solved quite simply if the child is more than two years old. As a rule, in this case, the drug is used in a gelatin capsule, which allows convincing the child to take it without any problems. Unfortunately, for infancy this option is unacceptable.
Vitamin D is destroyed when it comes into contact with air and light, so the best form to take is a solution in a capsule that keeps the drug from getting rancid and forming a toxic compound. Thanks to the use of fish oil in this dosage form, the risk of drug poisoning is minimized.
If necessary, take fish oil with you on a trip, transporting the drug in capsules is much more convenient and safer.
Due to the fact that gelatin dissolves directly in the intestine, all useful substances are delivered to the absorption site in full, without being exposed to the destructive effects of enzymes.
Multi-Tabs Baby
Another aqueous solution of vitamin D3, which is an analogue of Aquadetrim and used as a prophylaxis of not only rickets, but also a number of infectious diseases, is Multi-Tabs Baby.
The fundamental difference between this product is the content of additional elements, such as vitamins A and C. As with Aquadetrim, the drug can cause an allergic reaction, especially in case of overdose. Moreover, both vitamin D3 itself and additional components can become the cause of skin rashes.
Vitamin A is especially dangerous in this regard, since this element is extremely slowly excreted from the body. In the case of children, an overdose can cause not only a deterioration in the general condition, but also more serious consequences, such as slow development, poor growth and catastrophic weight loss.
Oil-based product - Vigantol
Not so popular, but well-proven drug, which is an analogue of "Aquadetrim" and is fully able to replace it in case of an allergic reaction, is "Vigantol." This drug, like fish oil, has an oil base and a composition that does not contain synthetic compounds and unnecessary components.
Therefore, the advantages and disadvantages of fish oil are inherent in this remedy, however, it should be borne in mind that the preparation lacks omega-3 acids and additional vitamin A, which are so useful for the development of the baby’s nervous system.
What to choose: "Vigantol" or "Aquadetrim"?
Doctors often leave the parents with a decision as to which drug is best used: Vigantol or Aquadetrim. Customer reviews about both options are quite diverse and contradictory. In some cases, it becomes preferable "Aquadetrim", which improves the well-being of the child, sleep, skin and hair, and sometimes even reduces sweating.
Other children from this drug, on the contrary, have a rash and redness on the skin, there is constipation, and the manifestations of rickets never go away. In this case, the real salvation is Vigantol, regarding the application of which, however, there are also complaints. In addition, this drug is not so easy to find in pharmacies, and it is rarely imported into some regions of Russia.
Choosing "Vigantol" or "Aquadetrim", reviews of which are so ambiguous, it is worth focusing primarily on the individual tolerance of the drug to a specific child. Often the results of taking the same remedy by different babies are so different that it’s quite difficult to say which option is better or worse.