Vitamin D Supplements and Breastfeeding

Like everyone said sunlight, even just a little, is all he needs. The only supplement I gave was Floride, and you will get mixed posts on that as well.

My little guy is 13.5 months and we're still breastfeeding. Our ped recommended Vitamin D drops at our first visit, but I only used them 2 times. Our little guy wouldn't take them and just spit it out. He is perfectly healthy. I think it's awesome that you're breastfeeding...it is soooo good for your baby!

hi, I'm a SAHM of three kids and I've breastfeed and I'm currently breastfeeding my last baby who is now 13 months old. I did give all three of my kids a vitamin with D in it because they all were a little low in their iron levels, but it wasn't something I did on a daily basis. I believe you need to listen to your mother instincts and you along will make the best choice for you and your baby.

Hope this helped!
L.

I was told by my ped to give my girl a liquid vitamin containing D, but it was sooo disgusting I couldn't bear to give it to her. Instead I upped my own vitamin D intake w/ a Calcium Supplement w/Magnesium and D from Soloray(CalMag Citrate w/vitamin D that I got at Vitamin Shoppe and eating more foods rich in D(there's not a lot though)like cod liver oil, egg yolks, and fortified milk/juices/cereals in hopes that I would pass some of that along in my breastmilk. The liquid supplement is made for infants by Enfamil, and you can get it at most drugstores like Walgreens/CVS -its called PolyViSol-and I would recommend diluting it in a bottle (water/juice/breastmilk/formula...anything...rather than giving it straight) But like most of the other Moms said it is a vitamin that we can get natural from sunlight, and although you don't want to have the baby sunbathing, just plain ols paying outside will be sufficient!! Good Luck! L.

You are right that breast milk has very little vit. D, but your child's body makes Vit. D every time s/he has sun exposure. As little as 5 minutes of sun exposure makes all the vit. D the little un needs in a day (10 minutes a day if you have clothing on the little munchkin). I wouldn't worry about vit. D deficiency unless you hole the child in a dark room all day.

Hi!
I am not currently breastfeeding but I have & do have knowledge of Nutrition. You can supply your Som's vitamin D needs by being sire that he has some tiime in the sun each day. His body will then produce its own vitamin D and will continue to do so until you bathe him.

S.

Hi, M.

Those recommendations do not apply to people who live in the Sunshine State. Even a few minutes of incidental sun exposure (walking to the car, etc.) is enough Vit. D. That's according to our pediatrician. Those guidelines are based on the rest of the country, particularly up north where they get very little sun for several months of the year. Never fear! ;-)

M. & Lexie (21.5m and still breastfeeding 3x/day!)

Our doc said they don't need it in Florida b/c they make it from sunlight. In northern states (esp. in the winter) a supplement is needed.

I breastfed both of my girls. No supplements at all and they did great.

You don't need to give him supplements. Just do as the other poster suggested and give him a little sunlight.

I nursed my youngest to 18 months old. If you are not a recluse, and actually take him places...yes, the mailbox counts...a walk in the yard...into the grocery store...then you and he will be FINE!!!

Did your parents give you any kind of supplements? I am so sick and tired of nothing being good enough anymore. It is getting to be ridiculous.

Nurse your baby...enjoy your baby...live.

Good Luck!

~K.

I have a 20 month old daughter and breastfed her exclusively for 6 months. I am still breastfeeding her in the morning and at night, but she is a very picky eater and does not eat alot. I never gave her any supplements and she is a very healthy baby. My pediatrician told me that she is getting everything she needs from the breast milk, so by the time you start giving him baby food he should be getting what he needs. Hope this information has helped you a little.
Take Care.

Hi Michelle,

Even though formula has more Vit.D in it, babies absorb less into their bodies than from the Vit. D in breastmilk. Plus, if you take you baby outside for 10 minutes everyday ( not between 10 and 4 , he will get all he needs. Good Luck.
A mom of two heathly girls that were breastfeed until 3 1/2 yrs old. C.

I nursed my now 4 yr old for 2 years and gave him Trivosol (??) which. I still give him vitamin and calcuim supplements and really believe they are why my little guy has been so healthy! You can also get Vit D from a little sunlight - about 10 min. a day but I still believe that the supplement is a good way to go! Good Luck and you sound like a great Mom- and its not easy as I am sure you know!

I breast fed both my kids for 2 yrs and I never heard that. Breastmilk is the only nutrition they need. I know that they both needed iron drops but that was about it

I read that till the baby is 2 moths does not need any supplementation but after that they do OR you could expose your baby to a couple of minutes to SUNLIGHT daily and then he won't need it. The darker your skin the more time you baby will need but we are taking no more than 5 min at the time, remember babies have very delicate skin and is not recommended to use sunscreen till they are 6 months, plus this would diminish the vitamin D processing anyway.

Vitamin D is made by the body. Take baby outside for 5 min or just a walk around the house a few times a day if you are worried about vitamin d deficiency. BUT... babies have been drinking mother’s milk for, well, ever. Baby will start making it as baby gets sunlight. A friend of mine just put her changing table at a window and opened the curtain a bit, not in babies face, and let the sun shine on her boy during all the day time diaper changes.

Baby should only need supplements if there is an illness or condition that causes deficiency.

A.

I never did, nor was I ever told too. If you are worried, take him outside into indirect sunlight, which provides natural vitamin D. This is what I had to do because both my newborns were jaundiced. Just make sure you are in shade, not direct sunlight.

Hope this helps