There is so much talk about vitamins and how good they are for our growing babies and for all of us. So what food has which vitamin, and what do these vitamins do?

Some vitamins are water-soluble, and the body does not store them, so your baby needs them everyday. These are vitamins C and B complex.

Some vitamins are fat-soluble, so the body can store these. They are vitamins A, D, E and K.

Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables. It is crucial for the absorption of other nutrients such as iron and for your baby's bone development and growth, as well as helping the body's resistance and healing. Broccoli (now called the ‘supervegetable’), cauliflower and citrus fruits all contain vitamin C, just to name a few. Breast milk and formula also have vitamin C.

Vitamin B complex, is actually made up of about 16 different B vitamins. These are essential for growth development, to enhance the appetite, promote effective digestion, create healthy skin, to keep the nervous system in balance and help to obtain energy from all the food we eat.

Vitamin A is stored in the body and is needed for good growth and vision, healthy skin, and digestive tract and it also assists in building up resistance to infections. Plant foods such as fruit and vegetables, do not contain vitamin A, but they do have beta carotene which is converted to Vitamin A. I am sure you have heard of beta carotene. It is present in orange and yellow fruit and vegetables, as well as fish, cheese, eggs, butter, chicken and spinach.

Vitamin D is vital for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which helps to develop strong bones. This is supplied to us by the sun! Other sources include fish oil, from liver and dairy products. Vitamin E helps in general growth, muscle development and again healthy skin, and for healthy nerve and cell structures. Nuts, liver, brown rice, oats and wholegrain cereals all contain vitamin E.

Vitamin K is present in leafy green vegetables. It is needed for regular blood clotting and liver function.

I just listed a few examples of the fruit and vegetables that contain these vitamins. There are many other sources that I have not mentioned here!