You’ve probably heard people say that breast milk is nutritionally complete and perfectly designed to help your baby grow and thrive. Right? Well…almost! One notable vitamin that should be given as a supplement to all breastfed babies is vitamin D. Here’s why vitamin D drops are important for your infant.
Why Is Vitamin D Important For Babies
Vitamin D’s biggest job in a baby’s body is to help them absorb calcium, which in turn develops and strengthens their bones. An insufficiency of vitamin D has been linked to conditions such as rickets—a softening and weakening of the bones in children—and can even lead to osteoporosis in adults. It’s great for you to take a vitamin D supplement, too!
What Is the Recommended Amount Of Vitamin D For Babies?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a supplement of 400IU/day of vitamin D should be given to breastfed infants starting within the first days of life. Vitamin D for babies comes in the form of drops, and should continue until your baby weans from breastfeeding, or until they drink 32 ounces of vitamin-D fortified formula per day. If you supplement breastfeeding with less than 32 ounces of vitamin-D fortified formula a day, your little one still needs drops containing 400 IU of vitamin D daily.
Once your baby starts to eat solids, you can help them reach their daily amount of vitamin D by serving foods like salmon, egg yolks, fortified cereals. While fortified dairy is also a great source of vitamin D, it’s important to remember that babies under 12 months of age should not be given cow’s milk.
If I Get Plenty Of Vitamin D, Does My Breastfed Baby Still Need a Supplement?
Short answer: yes. A 2003 study shows that 81% of women of childbearing age have insufficient levels of vitamin D, and these levels of vitamin D directly impact the levels transferred to baby through your milk. The recommended daily amount of vitamin D for women of childbearing age is 600 IU. However, this still is not typically enough to convert to the amount your baby needs.
Can I Take My Baby In the Sunlight To Get Vitamin D?
While the sun is a source of vitamin D, the benefits do not outweigh the risks of exposing your baby to harmful UV rays. Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of direct sunlight, and older babies should always use a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. While sunscreen decreases vitamin D production in the body, it’s imperative to protect your little one’s skin.
If you have questions about whether or how to give your baby vitamin D drops, it’s important to consult with their provider. Your provider can also assess whether they should continue taking vitamin D after starting solids depending on the variety and amount of food they’re eating.