Does your breastfed baby need Vitamin D supplements?

October 17, 2019

As a new mom, you probably have a lot on your mind! So many questions and concerns and if you're breastfeeding, the list of questions is even longer.

One concern for many moms, is whether their baby is getting enough vitamin D.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and the American Academy for Pediatrics, breast milk alone does not provide an adequate amount of vitamin D for an infant.

So, why don’t all pediatricians bring this up to new moms? My pediatrician in Florida never mentioned it. I didn't start asking questions until after I came across a post about vitamin D in a Facebook group.

There are plenty of reasons why your baby needs enough vitamin D.
It's necessary for the healthy formation of the baby's skeletal system. It is essential in supporting bone development and prevention of the rare, but debilitating disease Rickets. It's also important to the body's muscular system since nerves use vitamin D to carry messages between it and the rest of the body.

How do you supplement?

The AAP recommends all babies (both breastfed and formula-fed) receive routine vitamin D supplementation of at least 400 IU per day beginning in the first few days of life. Vitamin D supplementation should be continued unless the infant is weaned to at least 1 liter per day (about 1 quart per day) of vitamin D–fortified formula. Any infant who receives <1 liter or 1 quart of formula per day needs an alternative way to get 400 IU/day of vitamin D, such as through vitamin D supplementation.

Can the mother take supplements?

Some doctors say, YES. Dr. Bruce Hollis did a study in 2015 where supplements given to the mother of an exclusively breastfed baby (6400 IU per day) were shown to be a safe alternative to directly supplementing babies with the vitamin.

Sunlight also provides a natural source of vitamin D, but sunlight is not necessarily a guaranteed way to receive adequate amounts of vitamin D since the process can be hindered by factors that decrease absorption of sunlight in our skin.

Be sure to talk to your pediatrician about what will work best for you and your baby.

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Also in Blog

CDC hesitant to recommend breastfeeding with COVID-19 while some experts fully support it

March 10, 2020

While the CDC recommends that a mother with the flu continue breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk to her infant, it's hesitate to make recommendations to mothers with COVID-19 because it says much is still unknown.

However, some organizations like La Leche League International, recommends that mothers with coronavirus or any other respiratory infection continue nursing their babies.

Coverage for donor breast milk increasing nationwide in 2020

February 25, 2020

States across the country are pushing for legislation to require either private insurance companies or state Medicaid to cover donor breast milk for at-risk babies.

Breastfeeding and flying in 2020

January 01, 2020

Here are some tips and tricks to get you to your final destination and the latest TSA regulations for 2020.

Sizing

All of our designs fit true-to-size with an over-sized/relaxed fit (which compensates for extra weight and a larger chest). So, don't size up. If you're between sizes, size down. If your bust is one size, waist is another, and hips are another, then choose the middle size. Usually your dress/pant size (4/6, 8/10, etc) is the best measurement to follow.

Plus Sizes: We follow a standard U.S. plus chart. Our plus sizes range from 1X-3X. NOTE: Someone who considers themselves an XXL (in misses) is not a 2X (in plus). An XXL in misses is a size 1X in plus sizing. The best way for you to determine your size is to measure your band size (right under your chest), the smallest part of your waist, hips, and follow the chart.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us! contact@nursingqueen.com