How To Administer Vitamin D Drops To Newborn

Ways To Give Your Baby Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a naturally occurring element that can be found in certain foods and sunlight. The problem is that exposing infants to vitamin D through these elements can be dangerous, if not impossible. That said, there are certain tricks you can try to increase your little ones vitamin D intake naturally, such as the following:

• Take your baby outside but ensure he or she is adequately protected with sunscreen and proper clothing. Remember, babies should not be exposed to direct sunlight before 6 months old.
• Supplement your little ones diet with fortified formula.
• If you breastfeed, eat foods rich in vitamin D, such as yogurt, salmon, mushrooms and milk.
• Supplement with about 4,000 IUs of vitamin D daily to ensure your breast milk contains a sufficient amount for your baby.

It also doesnt hurt to be proactive. By supplementing with vitamin D and getting plenty of sun exposure while pregnant, you can give your baby-to-be a head start.

Vitamin D And Infant Health

Vitamin D is just as important for babies and toddlers as for adults. The NIH recommends a daily intake of 400 IU for infants 0 to 12 months old and 600 IU for children age one to 13 years. Researchers point out that human milk alone doesn’t provide enough vitamin D. Therefore, breastfed infants are more likely to become deficient in this nutrient.

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A one-year study published in the Korean Journal of Pediatrics in May 2013 assessed the vitamin D status in 117 infants. More than 90 percent of breastfed infantswere deficient in vitamin D. Female infants seem to be at greater risk. Dietary supplements, such as baby vitamin D drops, may help prevent deficiencies and ensure that your child is developing properly.

According to the World Health Organization, children are born with low vitamin D levels in the bloodstream. Medical professionals recommend supplementing with vitamin D for breastfed babies to prevent rickets, a disorder that causes children’s bones to become weak and soft. This condition is more common in babies, ages 6 to 24 months, leading to bone pain, muscle cramps, impaired growth, skeletal deformities and fractures.

Is This A Safe Dose

If the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D is 600iu/day, is 6400iu/day a safe dose?

There are several organizations that look at Vitamin D and determine recommended daily allowances, safe dosages etc. Among those are The institute of Medicine, The Endocrinology Society, The National Institutes of Health. All three of these organizations report that, for supplementation purposes, the maximum upper limit of safe doses of supplementation are 4000 iu/day.

The Endocrinology Society does suggest that higher doses may be needed for many conditions. They report that breastfeeding mothers may need to take 4000- 6000 iu to increase the level of Vitamin D in breast milk.

The also report that replacement doses for Vitamin D deficiency may be needed even up to 10,000 units in some conditions and that dose is safe.

However, The Endocrinology Society continually reports that doses higher than 4000iu should not be used for supplementation without medical supervision. Read about that here.

I would definitely discuss these findings with your healthcare provider before ever making this change on your own. I would weigh out the pros and cons carefully.

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Why Is Vitamin D Important For Babies

Vitamin D is crucial for the health of your babys bones and teeth. Severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to a brittle bone disease called rickets, says Dr. Liermann. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and utilize it to form and strengthen bones. Without vitamin D, a child is more prone to fractures and growth problems.

The body also needs vitamin D for brain development and immune system health. Vitamin D is necessary for so many functions, and its hard to get enough without a supplement, says Dr. Liermann.

Vitamin D Information For Health Professionals In Scotland

1. Who is at risk of low vitamin D status?

The whole UK population is at riskof low Vitamin D status due to living much of our life indoors andin a country with limited sunlight. Our main source of vitamin D isfrom the action of sunlight on our skin but in countries in theNorthern Hemisphere, it is not strong enough to make it in thewinter months . Most of us are able tosynthesise vitamin D through normal exposure of the skin to summersunlight but, living indoors, in the northern hemisphere and usingsun creams increases the risk of deficiency, even in summer months.In addition, some mother and infant groups have been shown to be atincreased risk, including: babies of mothers with darker skintypes, pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies and mothers whowear concealing clothing, babies and mothers who spend a lot oftime indoors or use sun creams, babies of obese mothers and babiesof mothers with gestational diabetes.

2. Updated Guidance

In July 2016, the UK Scientific AdvisoryCommittee on Nutrition updated recommendations on vitamin D supplementation for the wholepopulation, including new-born babies. It is now recommendedthat:

3. How can we support pregnant women to take vitamin D?

The Scottish Government recommend that pregnant andbreastfeeding women take a vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms daily. From April 2017 Healthy Start maternal vitamins are provided free toall pregnant women in Scotland.

4. Why do breastfed babies need to be given Vitamin D?

6. Practical Issues

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How Do I Give My Baby Drops

Give your baby the medicine

Babies Need A Vitamin D Boost

Because a typical mothers breast milk does not give her baby enough vitamin D, breastfed babies need vitamin D supplementation. Either the baby can be given drops of 400 IU a day directly or the mother can take 5,000 IU a day , which will fortify her milk with enough vitamin D for the baby. We call this super milk!

Although all standard infant formulas are fortified with vitamin D, vitamin D supplementation is also recommended for formula-fed babies. A baby would need to drink a quart of formula each day to get the recommended amount of vitamin D, Dr. Levine says, and young infants may not take in that much. Consult with your babys pediatrician or healthcare provider to make sure they are getting all the vitamin D they need.

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Questions And Answers About Vitamin D Supplementation For Infants

Q. Why do babies need vitamin D?

A. Vitamin D is needed to help your body develop healthy strong bones. Recent literature suggests that it may also be important in preventing numerous diseases such as Cancers, Multiple Sclerosis, Asthma, and many others.

Q: Why is it necessary to give vitamin D supplements to my breastfeeding baby? Doesnt human milk have all the essential nutrients for babies?

A. Human milk may not contain enough vitamin D to meet daily requirements. With this exception, human milk does contain all of the essential nutrients for babies.

Q: If my baby goes out in the sunlight every day or every other day for an hour or so, isnt that enough?

A: In virtually all of Canada, and many parts of the U.S. there is not enough sunlight exposure year-round to produce enough vitamin D. Furthermore, sun exposure carries an added risk of increasing the chance of developing skin cancers later on in life. For these reasons, taking vitamin D supplements is recommended.

Q: When should I start giving the vitamin D drops?

A: You should start some time during the first 2 months of life.

Q: How often do I give the vitamin D drops?

A: You should give the drops once a day, every day. But, if you forget one day, it is all right. The vitamin D is stored in the baby and there will be enough to make up for the occasional missed day.

Q: If I give the vitamin drops to the baby, will the baby not want to breastfeed?

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Can A 1 Month Old Baby Take Vitamins

The Department of Health and Social Care recommends: Babies from birth to 1 year of age who are being breastfed should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D to make sure they get enough. This is whether or not youre taking a supplement containing vitamin D yourself.

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Do A Mothers Prenatal Vitamins Have Enough Vitamin D For Babies

Nursing moms should keep taking their prenatal vitamin while breastfeeding, but the supplement doesnât contain enough vitamin D to meet your babys needs. Thats why breastfed babies need vitamin D drops until theyre able to get enough through their own diets. The typical prenatal vitamin only contains 600 IUs, which isnt nearly enough to cover both Mom and baby.

That said, moms who supplement with 4,000 IUs of vitamin D daily have breast milk that will typically contain 400 IUs per liter or 32 ounces. But since newborn babies are unlikely to take a full feeding of breast milk, youâll need to give them a vitamin D supplement at least at first to ensure that your baby is getting enough until she takes a full feeding.

Though thatâs not a practice new moms generally follow, most experts say itâs safe. But always check with your pediatrician and OB/GYN to make sure what youâre doing is enough for your child.

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When Youâre Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

What Do Pediatricians Recommend For The Feeding Schedule Of Newborns

General guidelines for baby feeding

Most newborns eat every 2 to 3 hours, or 8 to 12 times every 24 hours. Babies might only take in half ounce per feeding for the first day or two of life, but after that will usually drink 1 to 2 ounces at each feeding. This amount increases to 2 to 3 ounces by 2 weeks of age.

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How Do You Give Vitamin D Drops To Baby

Infant vitamin D drops are concentrated, so you only need a small amount to get 400 IU. To give it to your baby, you can:

• Place the dose directly in her mouth when shes relaxed, such as during her bath or while holding her. Aim for the inside of her cheek, not the back of her throat.
• Mix the vitamin D drops in with babys formula or expressed breastmilk in a bottle.
• Put the drop directly on your nipple before breastfeeding. This works best if the dose is only one drop.

Always use the dropper that came with the drops and fill it as prescribed. You may not need to fill the entire dropper.

How Much Vitamin D Is Necessary For Babies

Experts recommend a daily supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D drops for breastfed babies within the first year. For babies older than 1 year, the amount increases to 10 micrograms per day. To determine whether your baby is getting enough vitamin D, consider the following:

• Breastfed babies. If youâre breastfeeding or partially breastfeeding, you baby will not get enough vitamin D from breast milk alone, so supplementing with liquid vitamin D is necessary and important.

• Formula-fed babies. If you exclusively feed your baby formula, they are likely to get a good amount of vitamin D, as most brands are fortified with this vitamin. However, to get the full recommended amount of vitamin D, babies will need to consume at least 500ml of fortified formula each day. Most newborns and many young babies wonât drink this much, so supplementation with baby vitamin D drops is probably necessary. Check with your midwife or health visitor to be sure.

• Pregnant and Breastfeeding women should also supplement their own diet with 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Taking too much vitamin D over a long period of time can lead to a calcium build up in the body, damaging the bones, kidneys and heart. Experts recommend no more than 25 micrograms a day for infants under 12 months, and no more than 50 micrograms for children aged 1 to 10 years.

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How To Give Vitamin D Drops

I like using the more concentrated versions containing 400 IU per one drop. You can put the drop directly in the babys mouth. Or you can use a small spoon. You can even put the concentrated drop on a clean pacifier or the tip of the bottle or breast for the baby to take while eating. Whichever works for your family is fine!

I usually recommend putting the vitamin D drops near your babys feeding supplies so that you remember to do it once a day. It doesnt matter the time of day, just aim for once a day!

Some people want to avoid giving supplements directly to their newborn babies. There is another option for breastfeeding mothers. Instead of giving vitamin D directly to the baby, a study showed that equivalent infant vitamin D status was achieved when the lactating mother took 6400 IU per day of vitamin D supplementation. So check with your doctor if youre interested in this!

Food Sources Rich In Vitamin D

The following food items are good sources of vitamin D:

• Vitamin D fortified food: Infant cereal, crackers for toddlers, formula

• Fatty fish: Salmon, tuna, and mackerel

• Egg: Especially the egg yolk

• Vitamin D fortified milk: Cow or buffalo milk with added vitamin D

Foods like fish, egg, and cow/buffalo milk can be introduced only after the age of 12 months . So how can babies less than one year, who are breastfeeding, get vitamin D?

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How Do Babies Get Their Vitamin D

If an infant under one is receiving formula as their only source of nutrition, their formula has all the Vitamin D needed and they dont require any supplementation.

If a baby is exclusively breast fed, there are low levels of available Vitamin D in mothers milk and they will require supplementation with 400 iu/day of Vitamin D every day until they are weaned to fortified milk.

If a baby is breastfed and receiving supplemental formula, the baby will require 400 iu/day of Vitamin D every day until he is taking 32 oz of formula/day or is weaned to fortified milk.

Children over 1 year old should receive 600 iu/day of Vitamin D which they can receive by drinking fortified cows milk in their diet.

If you do not think that your child isnt drinking enough cows milk. Discuss with your healthcare provider about the need for supplementation in the form of a multivitamin which has Vitamin D in it.

Supplement the Baby

Vitamin D supplementation for babies comes as liquid drops that can be given directly to babies. This has been the recommended form of supplementation.

It has to be given daily as Vitamin D has a short life span when given in recommended dosages.

But, we know that there have been problems with this, because many babies are not receiving adequate levels of Vitamin D.

This may be for many reasons.

Tips For Giving Liquid Vitamins

• Use the dropper that comes with the liquid vitamins. Dont fill the whole dropper. Only fill it as much as prescribed. More is not better. Giving the baby more than is prescribed will not improve his or her development. It also could be harmful.

• Squirt the liquid gently on the inside of your childs cheek. Dont squirt it in the back of the throat. This can cause your baby to choke.

• If your baby wont take the vitamins from the dropper, mix them with a small amount of formula or expressed milk in a bottle. Dont fill the bottle. Instead, just fill the nipple. If you fill the bottle and your baby doesnt drink it all, not all the vitamins will be given.

• If your baby spits up or vomits with a feeding, you dont need to give another dose of the vitamins. But if this happens every time you give the vitamins, contact your childs healthcare provider.

• If you have any questions, ask your childs healthcare provider.

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Vitamin D For Babies Whats The Best Way To Make Sure My Baby Is Getting Enough Vitamin D

By The Pediatric Center | April 26, 2021 | Comments are off

Theres a common misconception among new parents that breast milk provides all the nutrients growing infants need. But when it comes to vitamin D for babies, breast milk isnt enough.

Supplementing vitamin D is critical for growing newborns. Without a sufficient daily dose of this vital nutrient, babies can experience negative health effects in the short and long term.

How do you ensure your baby is getting the vitamin D he or she needs? We speak about that and more next, so keep reading.

A Guide To Supplementing Vitamin D For Babies

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants up to 12 months old get at least 400 IU of vitamin D per day. Babies between the ages of one and two years need 600 IU or more of vitamin D per day.

But how much vitamin D is in an IU? IU is the abbreviation for one international unit. 400 IU roughly equals 0.01 milligrams, and 600 IU is about 0.015 milligrams.

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