It is often recommended at a child’s 2-month well check (or even before) that parents supplement their breastfed babies with vitamin D due to the lower-than-recommended amount of that vitamin in human milk. According to the CDC:
While breastfeeding is the recommended method of infant feeding and provides infants with necessary nutrients and immune factors, breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate intake of vitamin D. Most breastfed infants are able to synthesize additional vitamin D through routine sunlight exposure. However, published reports of cases of vitamin D deficiency rickets among breastfed infants in the Unitied States caused researchers to take another look at whether all breastfed infants were getting adequate vitamin D.
Vitamin D deficiency rickets among breastfed infants is rare, but it can occur if an infant does not receive additional vitamin D from a vitamin supplement or from adequate exposure to sunlight.
The FDA has recently released a warning on the dosage:
The Food and Drug Administration today alerted parents and caregivers that some liquid Vitamin D supplement products are sold with droppers that could allow excessive dosing of Vitamin D to infants.
The FDA also advised manufacturers of liquid Vitamin D supplements that droppers accompanying these products should be clearly and accurately marked for 400 international units (IU). In addition, for products intended for infants, FDA recommends that the dropper hold no more than 400 IU.
As well as Health Canada:
Parents who give their babies liquid vitamin D are being warned by Health Canada to pay close attention to the dose.
In a statement released Thursday, Health Canada officials acknowledged an alert issued Tuesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urging caution when using the droppers accompanying liquid vitamin D. For starters, they should be marked for a maximum of 400 international units (IU).
However, as the CDC states, vitamin D deficiency in breastfed babies is rare. And instead of worrying about giving the correct dosage of a vitamin to a baby, there is another solution.
Sunshine.
Sunshine is the most abundant natural source for vitamin D. According to the Sunshine Vitamin Alliance,
Because sunshine is a free commodity with no publicist or lobbyist, the Sunshine Vitamin Alliance is established as a coalition of right-minded physicians, individuals and organizations who advocate natural vitamin D production through regular, non-burning sun exposure.
We have been taught that any ultraviolet exposure is harmful. While excessive exposure most certainly is, the amount that we need to produce the proper amount of vitamin D is not. And it isn’t even necessary to have daily exposure. According to Dr. Jack Newman (emphasis mine):
Everyone needs vitamin D. Formula has it added at the factory. But the baby is born with a liver full of vitamin D, and breastmilk does have some vitamin D. Outside exposure allows the baby to get the rest of his vitamin D requirements from ultraviolet light even in winter. The baby does not need a lot of outside exposure and does not need outside exposure every day. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and is stored in the body. In some circumstances (for example, if the mother herself was vitamin D deficient during the pregnancy) it may be prudent to supplement the baby with vitamin D. Exposing the baby to sunlight through a closed window does not work to get the baby more vitamin D.
While it can be tempting to go out and purchase vitamin drops (that are often produced by formula companies) it is most often not necessary. Some cases where you may consider supplementing:
- If you have very little exposure to sunlight
- You and baby have dark skin
- You are deficient yourself
To read more on the topic see Does my baby need vitamin D supplements?
Posted on June 17th, 2010 by monica
Filed under: Breastfeeding | No Comments »
Another recall — Kiwi Industries has recalled some of their extremely cute baby onesies and rompers due to the possibility of the snaps detaching from the garment, thus creating a choking risk for infants and small children.
