I have heard and read a few places that breastfed babies need to take a Vitamin D supplement because they don't get enough from the milk. I have a 3 month old and was wondering if anyone else had been giving their baby this supplement. He has his 4 month dr. appt later this month and I plan on asking his doctor then but wanted to know if this is common. My friends who have breastfed their little ones did not do this.
I was told this about six months ago by my pediatrician as well, but I had doubts since I hadn't done it with my other four children. I asked my dad, who is a neonatologist. Basically, there is an issue with African American babies getting enough Vitamin D. (I'm not sure all the medical details.) So instead of trying to specify which babies need supplements and which don't, the American Medical Association decided to officially recommend it for all breastfed babies. Before I asked my dad about this, I went out and bought the supplement. I haven't even opened the bottle (in fact, my 10 month old is weaned now --biting issues). The Vitamin D supplement looks nasty, and I'm guessing it stains clothes. If your baby is African American, I strongly suggest you use the supplement or at least find out more of the details. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
I don't think it's necessary. I'm pregnant with my 5th child and have never given my children vitamin D supplements. They are fine and I'm naturally minded. I believe in Vitamins and herbs totally and I don't see that the Vitamin D is necessary. I've never been told by a pediatrician about giving my children Vitamin D. I guess it just depends on the ped.
I did not do that myself. When he starts cutting teeth you will probably want to start giving him whole milk diluted with some water and that is when he will get his vita D. Plus when you start feeding him baby food check the labels and he will get his vitamins he needs. Also, if you are eating the right foods he is getting it thru you. Not to worry he will be fine.
LAM
Hi Jaime,
Your friends may have been outside a lot. Forgive the history lesson, :), but I think the reason breastfed babies don't have enough Vitamin D is because the best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. In times past, we were outside a lot more than we are today. Vitamin D helps the calcium absorb so teeth and bones are healthy.
I'm not an FDA fan, but even they say that everyone needs supplementation because the vitamins and minerals are not in our food products. Even fresh fruits and vegetables today do not have the same nutrition that they had in the 50s because of chemicals, pollution, abused soil and lack of family run farms (i.e. care). Breast milk is still BEST but moms don't have the same nutrition they had before.
Go to breastcancerfund.com. They have information that goes past breast cancer. For instance, "The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Third National Report on Human
Exposure to Environmental Chemicals revealed
that the bodies of Americans of all ages contain
148 SYNTHETIC chemicals, some of which are
KNOWN or suspected carcinogens.33 Many of
these chemicals were also found in the umbilical
cord blood of NEWBORN babies.34" Babies today have obstacles to overcome that we didn't.
My babies are past bottles and I didn't know anything about anything when they were little. I now supplement my girls eating and also mine and my husband's eating. Wish I had had mamasource then!
Regards,
Mimi
I never did with either one of my kiddos but I only was able to breatfeed for 3 months and 4 months each. And to think of it, my friends that have nursed way longer or over the first year I don't think did either. You can get Vit D naturaly from sun light also.
Good luck!
~Sharie
I have nursed all 11 of my children for over a year each. Several of them did not even get food until the first birthday. They are all very healthy. I did start to supplement with vitamins after they stopped nursing. I think the advice you have gotten thus far is great. With the nice weather approaching I think getting enough sun and D should be pretty easy. Studies are always showing new things so the info from the one mom from her dad was very interesting. Always wait and see what is said after the studies have been peer reviewed as new studies can shed new light. Don't react to a study until then. So many studies hit the news and we won't know how credible hey are until the peer reviewed studies and publication of them occur.
To your health and that of your precious little one!
Karen
If you are African American you would probably want to give your baby a Vitamin D supplement. But check with the pediatrician first. I have a friend with an 18 month old son who was breastfed. He now has rickets disease because he was not getting enough Vitamin D through her breast milk. The doctor has put him on a Vitamin D supplement. More than likely the mother has a Vitamin D deficiency also. You might want to get your Vitamin D level checked. African Americans are especially prone to vitamin D deficiency because the skin doesn't absorb enough sunlight. In addition to the supplement, make sure that the baby is getting sufficient sunlight each day.
HI JAMIE,
I don't think you need to worry about that. I never gave my child any supplements and he turned out fine. Your body naturally produces Vit D through exposure to sunlight. All he needs is 10-15min of sunlight several times a week and he will produce whatever he needs. Just take him for a walk in the stroller or let him play in the sunlight near a window. His body will take care of producing Vit D.
Monica
I wouldn't worry about it. A little bit of sun exposure everyday helps with Vit D, even if its just through a sunny window. Since we're in the South, there's lots of opportunity for sunshine! I've breastfed all four of my children and never given vitamin supplements and they're all wonderfully healthy. Breastmilk really is the perfect food, no matter what the formula industries try to tell you ;-)
Hi! I had this same question when I was breastfeeding. Our pediatrician told me that as long as I was taking a vitamin that had D in it, it would get transferred to the baby. Also, it helps if your little one gets in the sun each day, which should be easier as spring approaches.
Hello,
I have had 4 babies, all of which were breastfed, the youngest one more than the others. I weaned her at 14 months, Whew! I never supplemented my milk with any vitamins to the baby of any kind, however, I was careful to remember to take my prenatals every day. I also monitored what I ate and drank to make certain that my milk was fully 'loaded'. By the way, I am African American and I did not spend a lot of time with my children in the sun! I believe that if mom has a vitamin deficiency then baby will too. Statistics may tell us a lot of good info, however, I don't believe that this glove fits everyone. It's truly individual in my opinion. All of my children are extremely healthy and always have been. And might I add that we are 100% vegan/vegetarian.
Hope this helps.
In His Love,
Denise B.
I was told to supplement only my firstborn with iron. I've never heard that breastfed children are deficient in Vitamin D and when I have my fourth I plan to breastfeed her as I have done with my other three (exclusively). None of them have ever had a Vitamin D deficiency, they seem to get what they need from mom. I wouldn't give them anything unless there is a specific problem. Vitamin D comes from sunlight as well and I would imagine if you are concerned about this you could expose your child to sunlight by letting him play in a sunny room.
Hi! I breastfed both of my kiddos, and with my second the doctor recommended Vitamin D supplements (for the same reason you mentioned). However, in one of my breastfeeding books (probably Nursing Mother's Companion) it mentions that while there IS very little vitamin D in breastmilk, it is highly bioavailable, which means almost all of it gets absorbed by the baby. As a result, I didn't supplement, and he hasn't had any problems--he's a HUMONGOUS 16 month old! :) My point is that the doctor will probably recommend it, so you'll kinda have to make your own decision. Good luck!
In my opinion, they don't need it. My doctor never even suggested my breastfed daughter have supplements, but I've had some friends who's doctors said they needed it. Maybe breastmilk has less vitamin D than formula, but why would we assume that the way nature made it is the wrong way? Anyway, that's just my 2 cents :)
My son's dr told me the same thing, but said that if I took a vitamin D supplement that he would not need to take anything himself. And it will help my body not be completely stripped of vitamin D, which usually happens to moms who breastfeed. So just take a supplement and you and your little one should be fine.
I was told with my third that I needed to give her vitamin D, but it wasn't until she was 6 months old. It's something about half the doctors do, and half don't. I don't see what it could hurt personaly. I'd rather be safe than sorry. They say 80% of Americans are VERY vitamin D deficient so even with you taking a supplement, it may not be enough.
I asked my doctor about this when my daughter was little and he said it depends on where you live. If you live south of the mason-dixon, don't worry about it--we get enough D from the sun. If not, ask your pediatrician.
I gave my baby this on and off--mostly off. My understanding of it is, if your child goes outside enough, there isn't any reason to give him the supplement, as his body can manufacture vit D if exposed to sunlight--of course too much direct sun is bad b/c of sunburn! they recommend it across the board to be safe, but the real danger is for babies drinking exclusively breastmilk in all day daycare or who live in Alaska! I stayed at home w/ my daughter who was exclusively breastfed and she is off the charts in height, walked early, etc. Just took her out on walks and normal errands. No worries about the vitamin thing...here in sunny Atlanta..
breastfeeding is the best thing you can do! a breasfed baby needs nothing else! it's probably info given out by formula feeding mothers to feel less guilty for not breastfeeding. what you're doing is perfect!