Breastfed babies and vitamins

Breastmilk contains  sufficient amount of vitamins except vitamin D. As a result, breastfed babies may need vitamin D supplement.  Vitamin D is essential. It aids in the digestion of calcium which is needed for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D prevents ricket which is softening of bones.

The pediatrician may prescribe a vitamin D supplement  for your breastfed baby. The American Academy of pediatrics AAP recommends  that all breastfed babies receive 400 IU of oral vitamin D  drops starting during the first few days of life . This should continue until they are drinking vitamin D-fortified formula or milk (500 mL or about 17 oz).

Most commercial formulas are fortified with vitamin D and other vitamins to make sure that the baby gets enough of these vitamins.

Diet for nursing mothers

If you are a vegan mom which means  you do not eat any food from animal origin, you have to talk to your pediatrician about your baby’s vitamin needs.  A vegan diet lacks vitamin D and B12. Lack of vitamin B12 can result in anemia and nervous system disorder.

Health care professionals  use to think that babies in highly allergic families may react to certain foods the mother eats that pass through breastmilk such as protein from cow milk, cheese, eggs, seafood and nuts. However the AAP have found this not to be the case. There is no evidence that restricting a nursing moms  diet will prevent allergic diseases such as food allergy and eczema in children.

In some cases such as metabolic diseases, some babies may not be able  to tolerate human milk and need special formula.

A physical abnormality that makes it more difficult for baby to suckle normally  such as cleft palate  may make it impossible to breastfeed.  However mother’s should remember that their pumped milk should be their first choice if babies need a supplemental feed.