How To Give Newborn Vitamin D Drops

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.

Your Guide To Baby Vitamin D Drops

From improving our bone health to boosting our immune system and the benefits of vitamin D are endless. Its a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement all year round to support our health and wellbeing, especially in the darker months here in the UK. Your baby must get enough vitamin D too, and from the moment they enter the world, you can give them tiny drops of vitamin D to help them grow and boost their immune systems. Here at Mother& Baby, we’ve made it our mission to find the best baby vitamin D drops available.

Vitamin K For Newborns

Newborns routinely get a vitamin K shot while they’re still in the hospital, within hours after delivery. Vitamin K helps blood clot and helps keep bones healthy. Babies have very little of it when they’re born, so they’re at risk of bleeding too much if they don’t get the shot.

The shot gives babies enough to prevent vitamin K deficiency for the first months of life, until they start eating solid foods and get the vitamin through other sources.

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How To Use Vitamin D Drops For Your Baby

Of course, it isnât possible or safe for your baby to swallow a pill for vitamin D! Instead, your baby will get a liquid version of this nutrient. Using vitamin D drops for newborn babies is quite simpleâall you need is the liquid supplement and the dropper that comes with it. Hereâs what to do:

Vitamin D drops are handy for wriggly babies, and particularly helpful when caring for premature babies or fussy teething babies.

How Much Vitamin D Do Babies Need

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a daily intake of 400 IU for babies. Most infant vitamin D supplements contain this amount in one dose. But the dose could be different, depending on which brand of drops you buy.

Some supplements have 400 IU in one drop, but others have 400 IU in a dropperful, says Dr. Liermann. Whatever supplement you choose, be sure it says its for infants. Follow the dosing instructions carefully. If you dont know which kind to use, ask your childs pediatrician.

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Supplementing With Vitamin D

So this is why we recommend supplementing your baby with vitamin D. There are many formulations available over the counter, so find one that works well for your family. Some supplements contain just vitamin D alone, and others combine vitamin D with probiotics or other vitamins such as iron.

When buying vitamin D for your baby, you should be looking for liquid vitamin D3 . Pay close attention to the ingredients label to know how much to give.

Some products contain 400 IU per 1ml. Although 1ml might not sound like a lot, babies have small mouths and tummies, so some families find it challenging to give that large volume directly to the baby once a day.

Why Would My Baby Need Vitamins

After 6 months, as your baby’s nutritional needs increase and their diet changes from just breast milk or formula to including solid foods, your doctor may recommend additional vitamin supplements.

For example, babies need more vitamin A, D, E, and K from 7 to 12 months than they did from birth to 6 months. Babies also need more iron once they reach about 6 months old.

Babies who eat a variety of foods over time likely won’t need extra vitamins, but there are exceptions. For example, supplements may be necessary if your baby:

• Was born prematurely, at a low birth weight, or small for gestational age.
• Has chronic health problems that affect their ability to eat. Be sure to ask your baby’s doctor if you have concerns.

Your own health may come into play, too, if you’re breastfeeding. For example, women who have had gastric bypass surgery, who are anemic, or who take certain medications daily may absorb fewer nutrients. This can reduce the nutritional content of their breast milk.

If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet yourself or are planning on feeding your baby a vegan or vegetarian diet, tell your baby’s healthcare provider. Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids are nutrients that vegan moms and babies may need to make an extra effort to consume through diet or a multivitamin-mineral supplement.

Also, keep in mind that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate vitamins, so quality and potency might vary between brands.

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What Is Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium, and because calcium is the predominant building block of the skeleton, vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and teeth.

There are 2 types of vitamin D in our food chain : vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.

Vitamin D2 is obtained from plant-based sources while vitamin D3 is obtained from animal-based sources.

Most of our food sources are vitamin D3, like fatty fish, egg yolk, milk , and other fortified foods.

Both vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are adequate to raise babys blood vitamin D concentration.

Do Breastfed Babies Need Supplements

If your baby is exclusively or partially breastfed: He or she receive 400 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily, beginning in the first few days of life. Supplementation should continue until he or she is weaned to at least 1 qt of whole milk per day. Whole milk should not be used until after 12 months of age.

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What Should I Look For When Buying A Vitamin D Supplement

A single vitamin D3 supplement in a liquid format is recommended. Some supplements require you to place a drop of vitamin D on the breast and others need you to fill a dropper to 400 IU and place it in your babys mouth. Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and only use the dropper that comes with the vitamin D supplement purchased.

Ddrops Baby Vitamin D3 Drops 400 Iu 006 Fl Oz Total

Product Details

60 drops for 60 days. Vitamin D is important for healthy growth and development in infancy and childhood especially for normal bone growth and muscle strength. Babies need vitamin D for healthy growth and development.

Contains no preservatives, no artificial flavours, no colouring. The American academy of paediatrics recommends that infants who are breast-fed or partially breast-fed should be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D daily.

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Where Can Babies Get Vitamin D

Breastfed newborns and babies should take a vitamin D supplement prescribed by the pediatrician. Babies who are formula-fed may or may not need a supplement. Formula is fortified with vitamin D, and it may be enough to meet your babys daily needs. Check with your pediatrician about whether your formula-fed baby needs vitamin D drops.

Breastfed babies need to continue taking the vitamin D drops until theyve transitioned to solids and are getting enough vitamin D that way .

Generally, once babies start solid foods, they can get vitamin D from other sources like milk, orange juice, fortified yogurt and cheese, salmon, canned tuna, cod liver oil, eggs, fortified cereals, tofu and fortified non-dairy milks like soy, rice, almond, oat and coconut milk.

If youre concerned that your baby isnt getting enough vitamin D or any other nutrient, you can also add in a daily multivitamin once your infant becomes a toddler.

While the AAP says most healthy children on a well-balanced diet will not need a vitamin supplement, if youd like your little one to start taking a multivitamin, talk to your doctor about whether its right for your child and the best brands.

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How Much Vitamin D Does My Baby Need

According to the NHS, this is how much vitamin d we should be getting at each stage of our lives.

Children from the age of 1 year and adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Babies up to the age of 1 year need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.

Although our daily dose of vitamin d can normally be absorbed when being exposed to the sun on those brighter days, there are other ways we can top up our vitamin d levels when the sun isnt shining.

The government also recommends that all children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day too.

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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.

How To Administer Vitamin D Drops To Newborn

• How do you take vitamin D sachet with milk?

Can you put vitamin D drops in babys mouth?

The Pediakid Vitamin D bottle drops, that is suitable for infants and young children, advises the drops can be taken pure or mixed with a semi-liquid product, that is preferably cold, such as yoghurt or compote.

How much vitamin D should I give my newborn?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants get at least 400 IU of vitamin D supplementation per day. Infants who are formula fed will usually meet this recommendation.

Can you mix vitamin D drops with milk?

Add the drops to a bottle of pumped breast milk. To be sure your baby gets the full dose, mix it with a small amount of milk and feed it to him when hes hungry so hes sure to finish it. Then give him the rest of the milk separately.

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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 For Babies 0 To 12 Months

Give your baby 5 micrograms of vitamin D3 as a supplement every day from birth to 12 months if they are:

• taking less than 300ml of infant formula a day

You do not need to give your baby a vitamin D supplement if they are fed more than 300ml of infant formula a day. Infant formula now comes with vitamin D added to it.

All breastfed babies will still need a vitamin D supplement after birth, even if:

• you took vitamin D during pregnancy
• you are breastfeeding

There are many suitable infant vitamin D3 supplements available to buy in Ireland. These are available in liquid form and can be given to your baby by dropper or by oral syringe. Use a supplement that contains vitamin D only.

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Baby D Drops My Wife Loves It

• Everyones Privacy

The contents of this website are for informational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Always read and follow the product label.*Based on a 2022 survey among Canadian pediatricians recommending an infant vitamin D brand.

Baby Vitamin D Drops Dosage

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to use chewable multivitamins or vitamin D drops for infants. Choose a supplement that provides around 400 IU per dose. The same applies to infant formulas and liquid vitamin D for breastfed babies. Higher doses may be needed for children with cystic fibrosis and other chronic disorders.

This vitamin is fat soluble, so it doesn’t dissolve in water. To ensure maximum absorption, give your child vitamin D drops along with high-fat foods, such as breastmilk or formula.

Read more:Foods With High Vitamin D

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfed and partially breastfed babies should take vitamin D supplements from their first days of life. Liquid formulas are ideal for infants, while chewable vitamins work best for children older than three years of age. Fortified foods, such as yogurt, milk and whole grains, are a good choice for older babies and toddlers, too.

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Do Babies Really Need Vitamin D Drops

Yes, babies really need vitamin D drops. Breastfed infants dont receive enough vitamin D from breast milk alone. Your baby should receive the right amount of vitamin D for their proper childhood development!

However, there are a couple of things you should know more about when it comes to the other sources of vitamin D for your baby.

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Benefits Of Vitamin D For Babies

As a parent, you want to make sure your little one is getting proper nourishment and nutrition. That includes vitamin D, a very important nutrient for babies. As breast milk alone doesnât provide enough vitamin D for babies, breastfed infants and those who are partially breastfed will need vitamin D supplementation to help boost immunity, build healthy and strong bones, and prevent diseases like rickets. Weâve got all the details on the benefits of vitamin D for babies and how much your newborn needs.

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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!

More Advice For New Parents Like You

Its critical to supplement vitamin D for babies. If your infant is vitamin D deficient, he or she could suffer from negative health consequences like stunted growth, increased respiratory infections, or even rickets.

Are you struggling to find the best vitamin D supplementation routine for your baby? The Pediatric Center is here to help. Contact us today to set up an appointment and finally get the answers you need.

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Why Do Breastfed Babies Need A Vitamin D Supplement

Breast milk is the best food you can offer your growing baby. Even when your baby starts eating other foods, you can continue to breastfeed until 2 years of age and beyond.

But breast milk only has small amounts of vitamin D , which may not be enough to meet your babys needs. Babies who are breastfed should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D from birth until they get enough from their diet.