Your baby’s need for vitamin D depends on whether he is breastfed or how much vitamin D fortified formula or cow milk your baby is drinking. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium which is needed for the healthy bones and teeth.
Vitamin D supplement for breastfed babies
Breastfeeding is recommended for infants because it contains all the necessary nutrients and immune factors. However breastmilk alone does not provide these babies with the recommended intake of vitamin D . Breastfed babies have been able to synthesize additional vitamin D through sunlight however reports have indicated that this has not been sufficient for the babies. As a result vitamin D deficiency rickets has been reported in breastfed babies. Supplements are the best way to prevent vitamin D deficiency in infants.
Give your breastfeeding or partially breastfeeding baby 400 international units (IU) of liquid vitamin D daily. Start within the first few days of life and continue until you wean your baby and he drinks at least 32 ounces (about 1 liter) a day of vitamin D-fortified formula or after the age of 12 months.
Vitamin D supplement for vitamin D fortified formula fed babies.
If you wean your baby to vitamin D fortified formula and he is consuming at least 32 ounces ( 1 liter) per day or a child one year or older is weaned to vitamin-D fortified milk, then further supplementation is not necessary.
Babies on solids
As you start introducing your baby to solids, you can help him meet his daily vitamin D requirement by introducing foods such usually fish, eggs and fortified foods. You should however note that babies will not eat these foods consistently during the first year.
NOTE
Read instructions carefully before giving your baby liquid vitamin D supplement. It is essential not to exceed the recommended dosage. Use the dropper provided. Older children can get chewable and gummy vitamins that contain vitamin D.
If you have any concerns about your babies vitamin D requirement , contact your pediatrician to address your concerns.
Content Sources
Vitamin D supplementation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/vitamin_d.htm. Accessed July 5 , 2015
Vitamins for breast fed babies. American Academy for pediatrics. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Vitamins-for-Breastfed-Babies.aspx. July 7, 2015