Vitamin D Drops For Newborns: Are They Necessary?

Vitamin D is essential for babies' growth and development. It helps them build strong bones and teeth and boosts their brain development and immune system. While sunlight, food and breast milk are sources of vitamin D, they may not be sufficient for babies. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a disease that affects the way bones grow and develop. To prevent this, it is recommended that babies are given a daily vitamin D supplement in the form of drops, starting from birth.

Why breastfed babies need vitamin D drops

Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient for your baby's health and development. It plays a key role in bone health, brain development, and immune function. However, breastfed babies may not be getting enough vitamin D from breast milk alone, making supplementation necessary. Here's why breastfed babies need vitamin D drops:

Bone Health:

Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, which is critical for building strong bones and teeth. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to rickets, a disease that softens bones, causing them to warp, bend, or break. Rickets can result in bowed legs, delays in crawling and walking, and soft skulls in growing children.

Brain Development:

Vitamin D is not just important for bone health but also for brain development. Adequate vitamin D intake supports cognitive function and overall brain health in infants.

Immune Function:

Vitamin D is necessary for a healthy immune system. It helps protect against frequent illnesses and infections, which can be common in infancy.

Insufficient Vitamin D in Breast Milk:

Breast milk is an incredibly nutritious and beneficial food source for infants. However, research shows that it often does not provide sufficient amounts of vitamin D. Babies may get minimal or no vitamin D from breast milk, depending on the mother's vitamin D status during pregnancy and lactation.

Preventing Deficiency:

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health issue, affecting people of all ages and ethnicities. In the United States, 50% of children ages 1 to 5 and 70% of kids ages 6 to 11 are vitamin D deficient. Breastfed babies are particularly at risk, and supplementation with vitamin D drops is an easy and effective way to ensure they get enough.

Recommended by Medical Professionals:

Pediatricians and medical organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend that all infants receive a vitamin D supplement. The AAP advises that breastfed infants should be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D daily, starting in the first few days of life and continuing until they transition to drinking fortified whole milk daily, typically after their first birthday.

How much vitamin D does my newborn need?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), newborns need a daily supplement of 400 IU (international units) of vitamin D. This is supported by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, which recommends a daily dose of 400–800 IU of vitamin D for newborns.

Vitamin D is crucial for your baby's bone health and development. It helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for forming and strengthening bones and teeth. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a disease that causes soft and warped bones that are prone to fractures.

Additionally, vitamin D plays a role in boosting your baby's brain development and immune system. It is recommended that newborns receive vitamin D supplements in their first few days and weeks of life, especially if they are breastfed, as breast milk tends to lack sufficient vitamin D.

Formula-fed babies may also need vitamin D supplements if they are not consuming at least 32 ounces of formula per day, as the formula is fortified with vitamin D. However, it often takes a few months for babies to build up to consuming this amount, so supplements may be necessary during this time.

To give your baby vitamin D drops, you can use the provided dropper and place the dose directly into their mouth, aiming for the inside of their cheek. Alternatively, you can mix the drops with expressed breast milk or formula, or put them directly onto your nipple before breastfeeding. Always follow the instructions provided with the vitamin drops.

How to give vitamin D drops to a newborn

Vitamin D is crucial for your newborn's bone health and development, and it also boosts their brain development and immune system. While formula-fed babies get vitamin D from formula, breastfed babies need a vitamin D supplement from birth.

Using a Dropper

Use the provided dropper to place the dose directly in your newborn's mouth, aiming for the inside of their cheek rather than the back of their throat. Choose a calm and relaxed time for your baby, such as during a bath.

Mixing with Breast Milk or Formula

You can mix vitamin D drops with expressed breast milk in a bottle. If your baby is formula-fed and consumes lower amounts of formula, you can also add the drops to their formula.

Putting the Drops on Your Nipple

If you are breastfeeding, you can put the vitamin D drop directly on your nipple before feeding your baby. This method works best if the dose is highly concentrated and only requires a drop or two.

Regardless of the method you choose, always use the dropper that came with the vitamin drops and carefully follow the instructions on the packaging. The recommended daily dosage for children during their first year of life is 400 IU of vitamin D, but different brands may have different instructions, so it's important to read the label carefully.

Risks of vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D is crucial for your newborn's health and development. A deficiency can have several negative impacts on their growth and well-being. Here are some of the key risks associated with vitamin D deficiency in newborns:

Rickets

Rickets is a disease that results from soft and weak bones that can warp, bend, or break easily. It is a condition caused by extreme vitamin D deficiency and is characterised by thin, weak, and deformed bones. It typically occurs between 3 and 18 months of age, and a state of deficiency precedes the obvious physical symptoms.

Bone Health and Development

Vitamin D plays a vital role in bone health and development. It helps the body absorb calcium and utilise it to form and strengthen bones and teeth. Without sufficient vitamin D, newborns are more prone to fractures and growth problems.

Brain Development

In addition to bone health, vitamin D is also important for brain development in infants. It is necessary for various functions and can boost brain development, enhancing cognitive abilities.

Immune System

Vitamin D is not just important for bone health but also for the immune system. A deficiency can make newborns more susceptible to illnesses and infections.

Fatigue and Muscle Pain

While vitamin D deficiency may not always present noticeable symptoms, common signs include fatigue, muscle pain, and muscle weakness or cramps. These can indicate that the body is lacking in vitamin D and is not able to adequately support bone and muscle health.

Respiratory Infections

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections during infancy. This is especially important to consider, as respiratory health is crucial for newborns.

Long-Term Effects

The effects of vitamin D deficiency may not always be immediate. In some cases, there can be long-term consequences, such as osteoporosis later in life. Adequate vitamin D intake during infancy may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other long-latency diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency in adulthood.

Sources of vitamin D for newborns

Vitamin D is crucial for your newborn's bone health and development, as well as for boosting their brain development and immune system. It is recommended that all children receive vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. There are several sources through which newborns can obtain this essential nutrient.

Maternal Transfer

Newborns have a limited amount of vitamin D stores that are primarily obtained from the mother during pregnancy. This is one of the main sources of vitamin D for infants, along with what they receive from their mother's milk after birth.

Breast Milk

Vitamin D can be obtained by infants through breastfeeding. However, breast milk usually does not provide sufficient amounts of vitamin D, and exclusive breastfeeding may lead to a deficiency. Therefore, it is recommended that breastfed babies receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU per day beginning shortly after birth.

Infant Formula

Infant formulas are fortified with vitamin D, so babies who are formula-fed do not typically need additional supplementation. However, newborns usually consume less than the required amount of formula to meet their vitamin D needs. In such cases, a vitamin D supplement is recommended until they are taking enough formula, which is usually around 32 ounces per day.

Sun Exposure

Vitamin D can also be produced in the infant's skin when exposed to ultraviolet beta solar radiation. However, parents are advised to limit their infant's exposure to direct sunlight, and at certain latitudes, the radiation is too low to enable vitamin D production during specific months. Therefore, sun exposure is not a reliable source of vitamin D for newborns.

Solid Foods

As your child gets older and starts eating solid foods, you can ensure they get enough vitamin D by including vitamin D-rich foods in their diet. Some examples include:

• Fish (such as salmon or light canned tuna)
• Vitamin D-fortified products like plain whole cow's milk (for children over 12 months), yogurt, cereals, and some juices
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Cereal

Frequently asked questions