Best Vitamin D Drops For Infants?
Vitamin d drops for infants are critical for their growth and development, especially for breastfed babies and partially breastfed babies. Baby Vitamin D drops can be easily purchased online or in a pharmacy.
If your baby is formula fed and consuming enough ounces of formula, then they may or may not need infant Vitamin D drops. But for moms who are exclusively or almost exclusively breastfeeding, all of them will need Vitamin D supplementation for the baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends infants be fed breast milk exclusively for the first 6 months after birth. Breast milk has many vitamins, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and the B vitamin group. But, breast milk does not have adequate Vitamin D, so, all breastfed infants need supplemental vitamin D.
Infant Vitamin D Drops Best Options?
So, when it comes to the best baby Vitamin D drops, what do you need to know? As long as you know it’s a reliable brand and you are giving your baby the correct dose, there is not one specific option that is better than another. The recommended dose of Vitamin D for infants is 400 IU per day. Some popular choices with parents include Mommy’s Bliss. No matter which brand you buy be sure to check the packaging for instructions on dosing.
Remember that the FDA does not test dietary supplements before they are sold on the market. As a consumer, you can contact the supplement manufacturer or the commercial laboratory for an analysis of what is inside the dietary supplement. Be sure to discuss what you are using with your baby’s pediatrician.
I Forgot To Give My Baby Vitamin D Drops, Now What?
If you forgot to give your baby their daily Vitamin D supplement once or twice, then there is not much to worry about. Missing this supplement sometimes is not likely to cause any long-term issues for your child. However, if you find yourself consistently forgetting to do this, then you should set a reminder and strongly consider assigning a specific person to do the task each day. Many baby apps can also help you track your baby’s daily intake of milk and supplements.
Why Do Babies Need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is important for proper bone growth. In order for the human body to make vitamin D, it needs to be exposed to direct sunlight. And we don’t recommend direct sunlight for babies because it can cause burns and even cancer. Because it is important to keep kids protected from the sun, there is a need for Vitamin D supplementation. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants receive a vitamin D supplement, with the exception of those infants who are drinking more than 32 ounces per day of formula that has the vitamin D supplement added. Severe Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a condition called Rickets.
How Much Vitamin D For Newborn?
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The Vitamin D dose for infants is 400 IU (10 mcg) per day of Vitamin D3. This is what is recommended for babies until they are 1 year old. Remember always to discuss any medication or supplement with your child’s doctor.
Sources:
Tan ML, Abrams SA, Osborn DA. Vitamin D supplementation for term breastfed infants to prevent vitamin D deficiency and improve bone health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Dec 11;12(12):CD013046. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013046.pub2. PMID: 33305822; PMCID: PMC8812278.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33305822/
Greer FR. Issues in establishing vitamin D recommendations for infants and children. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Dec;80(6 Suppl):1759S-62S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1759S. PMID: 15585801.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15585801/
Chang SW, Lee HC. Vitamin D and health – The missing vitamin in humans. Pediatr Neonatol. 2019 Jun;60(3):237-244. doi: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2019.04.007. Epub 2019 Apr 17. PMID: 31101452.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31101452/
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