Trivisol

You might try looking into Shaklee products. I believe they have an infant multivitamin. We haven't tried them, so I can't recommend them exactly (we use trivisol, despite all the artificial ick), but it might be worth a look.

As I understand it (and I went to a conference on vitamin D a few months ago) sunblock will block all vitamin D absorption into the skin so spending time outside with him will not get him the vitamin D (assuming you use sunblock, which of course is a must). So supplement is the only way to get it (ie food, milk, which your baby is too young for hence the recommendation for Trivisol). There must be a natural supplement somewhere! Good luck.

Our pediatrician said either Tri-vi-sol or Poly-vi-sol. Well we tried the Poly-vi-sol first and it smelled back and my daughter cried the first night and refused the second night. With the Tri-vi-sol she takes it without much fuss at all. As for putting the baby in the sun - we do with sunscreen of course but it's probably not enough to get all the vitamin D that she or we need.

You should really question the reason why your ped is suggesting this (maybe there is a specific medical reason, but find out for sure). As long as your child is outside even once a day, even in the winter, there really isn't any need for this supplement. The sun gives you all the vit D you need without the preservatives and artificial everythings. It is politically correct to suggest it to all babies, but it is really only a small subset of the population who need this supplement: poor, urban, malnurished, and indoors all day (usually because it is too unsafe to be outside).

I really wouldn't worry about it. There's so much to concern ourselves with when raising a precious little one and this is something not to stress about. I assume you are breastfeeding and this is why the pedi suggested it. I think it's the pedi norm to do so.
I did purchase Tri Vi Sol during the winter (my baby born in July) to help supplement -here and there- if we didn't get out. Can't say that I was comfortable giving it: we still have 3/4 full container one year later. I have to say that our happiest times are spent outside the house (c'mon, sanity sake) and inevitably it involves some sun (dr. said 15 min does the trick). With a newborn, my dr. said the "no sunblock under 6 mo." rule was due to no testing on babies that young. Just don't put it on the hands which are good for sucking on.
Sunlight and fresh air is good for anyone's disposition.
Gross artificial supplements they just end up peeing out... Go with your gut-mom instinct and stay away.

My now 2 year old son was prescribed the vitamin and I never once gave it to him. I've read and heard to raise your Vitamin D level is simply through appropriate sun exposure. I now have a 3 month old and will continue to do the same with her - a little sunshine here and there is okay and good for them. But of course do your own research first.

The reason there is artificial flavor in it is because it tastes aweful! You could look online. Did you smell it? You may end up using tons of sugar to get it in versus the flavoring that's already in the bottle.

Easy answer you can feel good about. I'd first find out what his vitamin D blood levels are. Ask your doctor. It is a simple blood test where they test for Vitamin D Hydroxy25. It may be higher in the summer due to sun exposure and lower in the winter. Sun screen also blocks some vitamin D from entering the skin. The lab can tell you the levels it should fall between. All Natural food based vitamins are the safest to take. You can't buy them in a drug store. It's vitamin D3 he'll need, if he needs it. Look for companies like Shaklee, or find a Naturopathic doctor to prescribe them. A multi-vitamin may give him enough where he is so young. Check his levels again in 2 months. You will see any progress or not.
Good luck
Sue