Vitamin D Supplement for Newborns

A little sunshine is all it takes. Get a second opinion and be wary of anyone who recommends supplements for a healthy, BF'd baby.

Hi T.,
I'm a mother of two children a son and daughter one born here in Cal. and one born in Texas. I have never had a dr. tell me to give my children vitamin D supplements. Both my children were drank formula until they were a year old, then they started drinking vitamin D milk.. I would ask a diffirent dr. and see what they say about that. Good luck.

My doctor also suggested a multi-vitamin and I used it. She didn't mention anything about Rickets and she is a young and very conservative doctor when it comes to medicine. My daughter was only breastfed for 4 months, but she is really healthy.

My understanding is that this is advice pediatricians used to give but that the more up to date position is that supplements are not necessary for breast fed babies (it seems like mother nature should have this under control!). A little natural sunlight should do the trick. I would consider trying out a new doc.

What? I'm no physician but it seems odd to me to need to supplement breastmilk. I think nature knows what it's doing. Seems really weird to give a supplement to an infant. How about just getting her out in the sunlight (vit. D comes from sunlight also - 15 mins. a day) at least that's more natural.

My first baby was born early; when we left the NICU they gave me some vitamin drops to give him once a day. When I mentioned this to the pediatrician he said that the baby doesn't need the supplement and to stop giving it to him. When each of my kids reached six months the pediatrician prescribed vitamin drops with fluoride.

I have never heard of such a thing, and I would definitely not give it to my baby. 15 minutes in the sun is also what I did, and for her 6 first months, my daughter only had Breast milk...and water (after 3 months!!!)...

I had the same concerns after my baby girl was born since i was breast feeding exclusively. I knew a doula, mother of 5 teenagers, and La Leche League leader that stated bringing the baby outside during your normal routine would provide enough vitamin D. I did not do the supplement and my daughter of 3 seems fine.

I have had wonderful Dr. for my 2 year old son since birth. He NEVER suggested supplements throughout my 1 year+ breast feeding experience. I personally don't think supplements are needed when your little one is only 9 weeks old. Breast milk is wonderfull!!
B.

Pediatricians do all the wrong things to newborns: they used to give them silver nitrate drops in their eyes at birth(to avoid Gonhorrea) which made the kids develop miopia later in life (according to Dr. Mendelsohn, the greatest pediatrician ever!) (I don't know if they still do it, they sure did it to my older girls, both now with miopia); they bath them with a nasty chemical soap, they take them away from the mother, they give them Hepatitis B shots with tons of mercury on them which later gives kids autism (like my son) - thanks to the autism epidemic, nowdays, many drs. are asking you first now, or your signature to apply this horrible shot; and many are applying the other horrible vit. K shot - which puts the baby in high risk of developing leukemia. Now is the vit D thing. Babies don't need any of this toxic garbage in their little vulnerable bodies, your breastmilk will do the job nicely; just be sure not to have amalgam filligs in your mouth (the mercury fillings -silvery ones). Mothers with dental amalgams release mercury into the blood stream every time they chew, drink warm liquids, or brush their teeth. All that mercury goes to the baby through the breastmilk (I wish I'd known back then when I had my baby). Mercury is cummulative in baby's bodies (from vaccines and dental amalgams). Do not remove any amalgams while you are breastfeeding, or do not get new ones.
Whenever you feel uncomfortable with something that the dr. recommends, do your research and trust your mother instint.
Blessings to you and your baby.

I would think sunshine would be the best source for you...totally natural! Depending on where you live, just don't let her get too hot...but sunlight is the best way too get vitamin D...everyone needs it, just smaller doses for your newborn.

Our pediatrician recommended using multi-vitamins with our son after he turned 6 months old, not at such a young age as your 9 week old. He said that babies are born with enough vitamin D to get them to 6 months but after that point they need more and should go to a multi-vitamin if you're only breastfeeding (which was the case with me and my son). Of course, you could just not put sun screen on him and let her have 15-30 minutes of naked play outside each day, too, and get plenty of vitamin D naturally.

Hi T.,

I was surprised to hear your doctor's recommendation for your 9 week old daughter. Breastmilk provides ALL the nutrition your baby needs. Did you doctor think you needed to supplement vitamin D because you were not using formula? You would not be giving a 9 week old anything but breastmilk or formula, so I don't understand his suggestion. Try getting in touch with Le Leche League for additional information and support. Good luck!

Hi T.,

Your doctor probably recommended the vitamin D supplementation because that is what is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Academy of Sciences. These organizations recommend supplementing with Vitamin D, 200 IU per day, for all breastfed infants who don't consume at least 500 mL per day of vitamin-D fortified formula for the prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency. They recommend this because it is difficult to determine how much is adequate sunlight exposure for vitamin D production.

That being said, I know that different people (including different doctors) have different opinions on this. I debated whether or not to supplement my firstborn since I was exclusively breastfeeding him, and ended up deciding not to supplement because he had plenty of sunlight exposure (given that we live in CA). He's fine. I am now exclusively breastfeeding my 2nd child (3 weeks old) and plan not to supplement as well. There are many babies who have and have not received supplementation who have turned out find. So, I think that either way you decide, your daughter will probably be fine.

Hope this helps!

My Dr. recommended the same. I never gave it to either of my children. They're fine. The youngest is 6 months now... I too would not want to give her those ingrediants.

T., I had the same concerns about the artificial colors and flavors in the supplements. My partner is concerned about skin cancer, so I don't get our baby in the sun very much. I found this supplement made by Country Life, called Maxi Baby Care. It has other vitamins in it, in addition to D. It doesn't have artifical colors or flavors. The last ingredient is a perservative, which I don't like so much either, but compared to other brands, the mix of ingredients in this supplement seemed much better to me. There are natural fruit flavors in it, and I asked our pediatrician about them and she said they are all first fruits often offered to babies. I found it at Elephant Pharmacy, Whole Foods carries it too. Good Luck!

My pediatrician prescribed vitamins for my girl as a newborn too. I looked at the ingredients and thought, no, this is silly. I'm taking vitamins and eating well. She'll get the right vitamins and absorb them better through my milk. And we spend time outdoors too.

Like Alison K said, maybe it is the older doctors still worrying about rickets! My pediatrician at that time was super old!

You're right to worry about both the additives and the cherry flavor. I so wish that Baby Tylenol would make a non-flavored version, or that I had found one if there is one. There probably is. Hey, thanks for helping me to think of this! :) Now that my daughter is 2, she often asks to have Baby Tylenol because it's like candy. She'll pretend she has a fever or a headache and I see the potential for addiction to non-natural sugars, small as it may be right now. In fact, this also reminds me I've got to tell Nana to stop pushing the Tic-Tacs. Funny how other "authorities" can sneak in on you, eh?

My doc said that I could give my son vitamin D, or not. He said it wouldn't hurt, but that he didn't actually think it was necessary. So I didn't, and my son is a year old now and hasn't suffered any vitamin D deficiencies at all.

Hi T.,

Ask your pediatrician why they want you to supplement. Breastmilk should be sufficient for your newborn- it has all of the best antibodies,vitamins, etc. If you aren't completely satisfied with the Dr.'s answer, start looking for a new one. I personally wouldn't trust anyone's advice to give a 9 week old supplements especially something with artificial coloring,sugar etc. Good luck to you and follow YOUR instincts!!

Molly

get a 2nd opinion. I have never heard of that unless your child is under weight and not eating?

Breastmilk is the perfect food for newborns, babies and even toddlers. You should not have to supplement it with anything. I nursed both of my boys until they were 6 months and then started introducing foods; I continued to nurse both until they were two. My younger one has a bit of a weaker immune system, but both are healthy! In fact, my oldest weighed in at 25 lbs. at 6 months on only breastmilk! Hard to believe, but true! (He's in no way obese, just verrrry tall like the rest of our family!) This just goes to show that breastmilk is ideal for babies and you should not need to add anything to it, unless there are severe reasons (premie needing to gain weight, etc.). To get some more in-depth information about the benefits of breastmilk, I recommend contacting a local La Leche League, or looking on their website. Also, for a hillarious take on breastfeeding, but also an accurate account of the importance of it, there's a wonderful book called "So That's What They're For!" by Janet Tamaro. I've read it front to back and given it to all of my pregnant friends. Hopefully these ideas will help. Good luck and happy nursing!

I had doctors and nurses try to insist that I give my newborn vitamin D supplement, telling me about Rickets, etc. I researched every article on the internet I could find, and discussed this situation all around, and my conclusion is that the supplement is totally unnecessary as long as your child gets sun. It is not the thick of winter here, which means you can uncover your baby in the sun more easily. It is those babies who are constantly inside, or covered with sunblock and/or cloths that are in danger. When she gets older, organic goat or cow's milk with vitamin D is not a bad idea, introduced slowly. I tried to give my son the supplement once (unflavored) and it was so disgusting he spit it out. The nurse said I should FORCE it, or trick him. Just bad advice! I agree that you should avoid colors and flavors outside nature for as long as possible.

Your baby does NOT need any type of suppliment when being breatfeed. There is so much sunshine here in California I cannot believe all these Ped's are actually recommending this stuff!
Are they subliminally trying to tell us that Breasatfeeding it not the best thing for our babies???

I breastfeed 2 babies while living in Alaska and NOT one single doctor recommended Vit Suppliments for my kids. They trusted that Breastfeeding was perfect nutrition for babies.

Not sure why your doc made that recommendation because I exclusively breastfed both my kids and never once was told to give them a vitamin supplement.

I would suggest making sure that you're still taking your prenatal vitamins, eating a well balance diet and staying hydrated. Maybe talk to your doc and get more details as to why he thinks it's necessary. And if you don't like your doctor's approach try finding a new one. We did that with my daughter who's 4 now. Her first pediatrician was out family practitioner and he and I didn't see eye-to-eye so when our Ins changed I moved her to an office that is just pediatrics that I have known and trusted for years. Haven't had a problem since.

Good luck.

my doctor recommended I take vitamin d for my newborn while breast feeding. he never said anything about giving it directly to my baby.

N.

Hi ,
I was told the same thing with my third child. I thought it was crazy as well. It seems to be the new thing with doctors that somehow there is a deficiency of vitamin D. Maybe if you live in Seattle. Anyway, I have 3 Very healthy children whom never needed a vitamin D supplement. Good luck!!

I have never heard of such a thing. I did not supplement my daughter's feeding, neither of them had anything but breast milk. Isn't breast milk the only complete food? Wow, 300 years ago nobody supplemented their breast milk. And I would be leery of anyone telling me to give my infant anything with artificial coloring. I think you are on the right track and I would not worry. As long as she is nursing I would not worry about it.

:) J.

I was asked to give Vitamin D to my older son after he was six months old. Up until that point, breastmilk and his own reserves should be sufficient. After six months, a supplement makes sense. But you should be able to find Vitamin D without lots of additives; I have a Vit A, C, D supplement (common) that has no added color or sugar. Check your health food stores.

Now then, in many parts of the country 15 minutes a day is sufficient... during some months out of the year and during certain times of day. During the winter months, it is physically impossible, because of the angle of the sun's rays through the atmosphere, to get enough D from the sun. So you should probably expect to start supplementing in a few months.

That being said, are you particularly D deficient? Because your body will give up its own Calcium and D to your child if you're breastfeeding. So be sure you take enough Calcium and D *yourself*, and you should be fine. He'll get it from your milk anyway.

And try to figure out this doctor... that doesn't sound like a normal suggestion unless your case is unusual.

Hi T.,

I asked our Pediatrician about this because a few moms in my mothers group were also given the vitamin D supplement. We see Dr. Sexton in Greenbrae and she said that the best source of Vit D is the sun and in California we get enough sun that our babies should be getting enough vit D. It would be more of a concern in areas that do not get much sun. I make sure to expose our baby to the sun, about 10-minutes a day. Seems ok now since the sun has not been too intense.

-C.

How old is your doctor? I've heard this before and it always seems to be the older docs that recomend this. If she's getting a little sun (and you are too) she should be fine.

Funny how ricket's was never really an issue for kids until the industrial revolution when they stopped breast feeding and started staying inside all the time.

Hi T.,

My Dr. office has 2 doctors and I've seen both of them. One suggested I use the drops for Vit. D and the other kind of brushed it off when I told him his associates recommendation. I would advise you talk to your Dr. and express your concerns. I will add that Vit. D apparently is not supplied through breastmilk which is why they are advising use of drops now.

Good luck and remember, you know best and do what you think is right.

T.

p.s.
I elected not to give them to my son simply because it caused a riot everynight (not too tasty I guess) and he's fine thus far.

I disagree with any of those additives given to any healthy baby ~ I breastfed my daughter until she was 2 years old & not an ounce of any additive vitamins or artificial stuff. My view is that mom's milk has what our baby's need as long as we keep healthy we pass down good vitamins in our milk to them. I cannot fathom giving a 'healthy' 9 WEEK OLD BABY artificial coloring and additives. I feel so strongly about it I can feel my heart beat through my chest...however we all have our opinions. What does your gut/instincts/intuition tell you? Your first inclination on the subject was that you had uncertainty ... for excellent reasons.

Hi T.,
I am a 35 year old mom of 4. Twin girls who are 9, a 6 year old daughter, and a 1 year old son. I breastfed all the kids, twins for 4 months and the last 2 exclusively for 1 year and never gave any vitamin supplement. They are all very healthy. Give her lots of sunlight. That is a great source of vitamin D.

Go with your mom instincts. Your right.... Good luck with baby! Eat good, healthy foods and drink lots fluids and you will have a long happy healthy milk supply and an awesome breasfeeding experience. T.

Wow! I have only breastfed my three little ones and I was never told to give vitamins to the baby. You should drink milk, orange juice and eat yogurt and veggies (broc) and she should get enough vitamin D through your milk. If not sit with her in the sun for a few minutes and that is another source. I would also ask the doctor why he thinks that and if there is something you can take so that she gets it through your milk. Good luck. B

I would recommend you supplement with vitamin D and let your daughter get it from you at least in the winter. I take Cod Liver Oil in the winter/ early spring only when I'm not getting as much sunshine. I recently read an article from a natural doc, can't remember who, Mercola or Neusdtaeder, I think they were specifically talking about cod liver oil but said that an exclusively breast fed baby needs no other vit. D supplementation if mom is supplementing. good job for doing your own research!
K.

Our pediatrician said that living in CA and the baby getting 1-5 minutes of sun exposure a day,(in between trips to the car, or intentionally for a couple of mintues), gives the baby enough Vitamin D.