Vitamin D: A Newborn's Essential Health Companion

Newborns need vitamin D to build strong bones and boost their brain development and immune system. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and utilise it to form and strengthen bones and teeth. Without enough vitamin D, a child is more prone to fractures and growth problems. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a disease where bones can turn soft enough to warp, bend or break. Newborns can get vitamin D from their mother during pregnancy, and after birth, from diet, supplements, and exposure to sunlight.

To build strong bones and prevent rickets

Vitamin D is crucial for your baby's bone health and development. Bones give the body structure and strength, and the bone mass built during childhood can benefit a person throughout their life.

A vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets, a condition that causes bones to become soft, bend, and break. In infants, rickets causes soft and malformed bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and use it to form and strengthen bones and teeth. Without enough vitamin D, a child is more prone to fractures and growth problems.

All children need vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. Children younger than 12 months old need 400 IU of vitamin D each day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Breast milk alone does not provide enough vitamin D, so breastfed babies will need a supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D per day beginning shortly after birth.

For children older than 12 months, plain whole cow's milk is a great source of vitamin D. Most cow's milk sold in stores is fortified with vitamin D. However, cow's milk is not recommended for babies younger than 12 months, as it may put them at risk for intestinal bleeding and contains too many proteins and minerals for their kidneys to handle.

As your child gets older and starts eating solid foods, you can add vitamin D-rich foods to their diet, such as:

• Salmon
• Light canned tuna
• Vitamin D-fortified products like yogurt, cereals, and some juices

To boost brain development

Why Newborns Need Vitamin D to Boost Brain Development

Vitamin D is crucial for a newborn's brain development, in addition to its well-known role in bone health. Here are some reasons why newborns require vitamin D to boost their brain development:

Brain Development

Vitamin D is essential for the overall growth and development of newborns, including their brains. It plays a critical role in neuroprotection and cognitive function. Adequate vitamin D levels contribute to the healthy formation and maturation of brain cells, supporting the development of cognitive abilities such as memory, learning, and language skills.

Immune System Support

In addition to its direct effects on the brain, vitamin D also boosts the immune system. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to infections and illnesses due to their undeveloped immune systems. Vitamin D helps strengthen their immune response, making them more resilient against common childhood ailments.

Breastfeeding Considerations

It is important to note that breast milk alone does not provide sufficient vitamin D for newborns. This is because the amount of vitamin D transferred from mother to infant during pregnancy and through breast milk is limited. Therefore, it is recommended that breastfed infants receive vitamin D supplementation, typically in the form of daily drops, to ensure they get enough.

Rickets Prevention

Vitamin D is well known for its role in bone health. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a condition called rickets, characterized by soft, malformed, and fragile bones. Preventing rickets is crucial for newborns as it can impact their overall growth and development, including brain development.

In summary, newborns require vitamin D to boost brain development, support immune function, and prevent deficiencies that can impact their overall health and well-being. Vitamin D supplementation, especially for breastfed infants, is recommended to ensure adequate intake and support optimal growth and cognitive development.

To support their immune system

Newborns need vitamin D to support their immune system. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and development, but it also offers other advantages to infants, including a boost to their immune system.

Vitamin D is necessary for many functions, and a deficiency can lead to frequent illnesses and infections. In fact, research shows that 50% of children ages 1 to 5 and 70% of kids ages 6 to 11 in the United States have vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D can be obtained by infants through their mother's milk, but breast milk alone does not provide enough vitamin D for newborns. This is why supplementation is often recommended, especially for breastfed infants.

The best biological indicator of vitamin D body stores is blood serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A concentration of 25(OH)D below 30 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) of serum indicates a high risk of vitamin D deficiency, while healthy concentrations for infants are believed to be at or above 50 nmol/L.

Body stores can decline by 50% in infants in less than a month, so without a source of vitamin D, a deficiency can develop rapidly. This is why it is important for newborns to get enough vitamin D to support their overall health, including their immune system.

To maintain blood calcium levels

Vitamin D is required to maintain blood calcium levels and support bone health. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to rickets, a condition characterised by soft, malformed bones that can warp, bend or break. In addition, a lack of vitamin D can cause seizures due to low blood calcium and difficulty breathing.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and utilise it to form and strengthen bones and teeth. Without enough vitamin D, a child is more prone to fractures and growth problems.

Newborns have a limited amount of vitamin D that is transferred from the mother during pregnancy. After birth, vitamin D can be obtained by the infant through the mother's milk, but breast milk alone does not provide infants with enough vitamin D. Therefore, shortly after birth, most breastfed infants will need an additional source of vitamin D through a supplement.

To prevent vitamin D deficiency

Newborns need vitamin D to prevent vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to serious health issues. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and development, and a deficiency can cause rickets, a disease that leads to soft and malformed bones that can easily break. Rickets can also cause seizures and difficulty breathing. Vitamin D is also important for brain development and a healthy immune system.

Breast milk alone does not provide enough vitamin D for newborns, so supplements are recommended for breastfed babies. However, formula-fed babies who are drinking at least 32 ounces of formula per day will get all the vitamin D they need from the formula, as it is fortified with vitamin D.

Newborns can also get vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, but this is not recommended as a primary source due to the risk of skin damage from UV rays. Additionally, in regions farther from the equator and during the winter months, the sun's rays are not strong enough to enable vitamin D production.

Therefore, to prevent vitamin D deficiency, it is important to ensure that newborns are getting enough vitamin D through supplements or formula, especially if they are breastfed or living in regions with limited sun exposure.

Frequently asked questions