If you breastfeed your infant/newborn, do you give them vitamin d 200 iu drops?

Question

I was told to by a pediatrician bc she said breastmilk lacks vitamin d? and that this can cause problems later possibly like rickets etc.? well my daughter is only month old. and the pedia said she recommends this to every breastfeeding mother. I am just wondering if you do this? I thought breastmilk was the "perfect nutrition". also many parenting books say this. that vitamin drops should be given to them.

Answer 1

I gave them to my son at first per recomendation of ped. in hospital. My son hated them. I checked with my ped. And she told me it was not necessary. So no I don't give them to my son. I live in so cal so my babe gets plenty of sunshine.  

Answer 2

The reemergence of vitamin D deficiency (Rickets) among breastfed infants in the United States has generated discussion and debate about universal vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants. Human milk does not contain large amounts of vitamin D, but all breastfed infants are not at risk for vitamin D deficiency, as the need for the vitamin can also be met through exposure to the sun. However, dark skin acts as a sunscreen and decreases the amount of vitamin D produced; thus, infants who are not exposed to the sun, who are dark-skinned, or who are covered with sunscreen are at the greatest risk. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation may be prudent for infants living in the northern part of the country, especially if they are dark-skinned. Adequate sun exposure for a light-skinned infant is two hours per week clothed. If it is determined that vitamin D supplementation is needed, a safe and adequate amount is 200 IU/day.

Answer 3

As long as baby gets a few minutes of sunshine a day, there is usually nothing to worry about. Pediatrician's still routinely prescribe the drops, but there is no real basis for it.

Answer 4

Berastmilk IS the perfect food.  Doctors figured out the RDA of vitamins and minerals by depriving adults of a particular vitamin until they developed a severe deficiency.  Then they gave them a little bit of the vitamin, then a little more, until they were no longer suffering from signs of deficiency.  Whatever dose was required to alleviate the symptoms became the RDA.  No doctor in his right mind is willing to do that to a baby or child, so they just *guess* at how much they need.  In my opinion, God's knowledge is greater than doctors' hunches.  

Your b***s know what they're doing.  Whatever is in your milk is there in the perfect amounts for your baby.

Answer 5

I have nursed my two babies - each for a year. I continued to take my prenatals- but I never gave the boys anything. My pediatrician once recommended tri-vi-sol - but I never really gave it to them. Only like once or twice ( I also didn't feel it was necessary) and my boys have always been healthy.

I heard it is only really a concern for rickets with babies who never get any sunshine- like possibly babies in the city in winter who don't have much of an opportunity to spend time outdoors.  

I also believe that breastmilk is the perfect nutrition. I think the best thing is to trust your maternal instincts. You are doing a great thing for both you and your baby by nursing (strengthing her immune system & helping you to return to your pre-prego size faster :)) Anyways- if you are able to just spend a little time outside going for a walk or something similar and I'm sure you'll get plenty of sun/ vit D.

Also, if you haven't gotten it already - you could get "What to expect the first year" the sequal to what to expect when you are expecting- it answers so many questions you may have. Good Luck to you and Congrats on the new Blessing!

Answer 6

I've always been told to keep at it with pre-natal vitamins so that it is rich in all the vitamins a baby needs. If you are doing both couldn't that be too much vitamin D?

Answer 7

My pediatrician didn't mention it... I'm not sure anyone I know gives vitamin D... I take my son 4 two walks a day- he gets plenty of vitamin d...

I'd go the natural way... Breastfeeding and sunshine...  

Answer 8

It's the first time I've heard of this. My guess is that the doctor has a drug company in his pocket. Therefore, if you agree, s/he'll will prescribe a Big Pharma's drug and she gets a cut or something like that. My breastfed daughter is healthy and I've not given her anything extra, not even cold medicine since at ten and a half months, she's not needed it.  

Answer 9

I didn't give Alyssa any and she is fine. She gets her vitamin D from sunshine.

Answer 10

I would be afraid to give my baby anything like that for fear of overdosing.  If you're getting enough Vit D, your baby will.  

Also, if you're able to, get in the sun.  Both of you.  Vitamin D is actually a hormone produced by our bodies when we sit in the sun.  For fair-skinned people it takes about 20 minutes a day.  For dark-skinned people it can take up to 2 hours.

Breastmilk is amazing, and as long as you're getting what you need your baby will have everything she needs.

Answer 11

i breastfeed and have to give my son vitamin d also. I asked my dr if i formula fed if that would make a difference and i wouldnt have to give him the vitamin and she said that regardless i would have to give him the vitamin until he is on solid