It depends on whether you breastfeed your baby or how much vitamin D-fortified formula or cow's milk your baby is drinking. Show
Consider these guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics for vitamin D for babies:
When giving your baby liquid vitamin D, make sure not to give more than the recommended amount. Read the instructions that come with the supplement and use only the dropper that's provided. While breast milk is the best source of nutrients for babies, it likely won't provide enough vitamin D. Babies need vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Too little vitamin D can cause rickets, a softening and weakening of bones. Since sun exposure — an important source of vitamin D — isn't recommended for babies, supplements are the best way to prevent vitamin D deficiency. As your baby gets older and you add solid foods to your baby's diet, you can help meet the daily vitamin D requirement by providing foods that contain vitamin D — such as salmon, egg yolks and fortified foods. If you have questions about your baby's need for vitamin D supplements, talk to your baby's health care provider. Sign-up to get Mayo Clinic’s trusted health content sent to your email. Receive a bonus guide on ways to manage your child’s health just for subscribing. Email
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. Vitamin D is needed to support healthy bone development and to prevent rickets, a condition that causes weak or deformed bones. Vitamin D deficiency rickets among breastfed infants is rare, but it can occur if an infant does not receive additional vitamin D from foods, a vitamin D supplement, or adequate exposure to sunlight. Do infants get enough vitamin D from breast milk?Breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate amount of vitamin D. Shortly after birth, most infants will need an additional source of vitamin D. To avoid developing a vitamin D deficiency, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend breastfed and partially breastfed infants be supplemented with 400 IU per day of vitamin D beginning in the first few days of life. Families who do not wish to provide a supplement directly to their infant should discuss with a healthcare provider the risks and benefits of maternal high dose supplementation options. Once a child has started eating solid foods, parents can make sure their child is getting enough vitamin D from foods or supplements. Why are infants at risk for vitamin D deficiency?The risk for vitamin D deficiency is increased when there is limited exposure to sunlight or when an infant is not consuming an adequate amount of vitamin D. Although reducing sun exposure is important for preventing cancer, it also decreases the amount of vitamin D that a person can make from sunlight. Other factors that decrease the amount of vitamin D a person can make from sunlight include:
Can I mix baby vitamin D with milk?Mix the vitamin D drops in with baby's formula or expressed breastmilk in a bottle. Put the drop directly on your nipple before breastfeeding. This works best if the dose is only one drop.
Does milk interfere with vitamin D?Milk is a natural source of calcium and vitamin D; these nutrients have a synergic interaction in the human body [61].
Should vitamin D be taken with water or milk?23 May 2022 --- Vitamin D food fortification works better with water and milk than with juice, according to a new study presented at the 24th European Congress of Endocrinology in Milan, Italy.
Should I give my baby vitamin D if on formula?Since vitamin D is already added to infant formula, most full-term babies who are formula-fed don't need a supplement. However, formula-fed babies in northern communities or those with other risk factors (as listed above) should receive a supplement of 400 IU/day, year-round to ensure they have enough vitamin D.
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