Why should vitamin D supplements for babies?

According to research, exclusively breastfed babies will absorb quite a bit of vitamin D. Therefore, you need to pay attention to vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants through other sources to avoid the risk of rickets.

The first 6 months after birth is the time when your baby will grow at an amazing speed. Therefore, you need to pay much attention to the addition of necessary nutrients to ensure the comprehensive development of your baby. One of the most important nutrients that you should pay attention to is vitamin D. Why and how should you get vitamin D for babies and how? Questions around this issue will be in the following shares of aFamilyToday Health .

Why should you take vitamin D supplements for babies?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 5-13% of breastfed babies and 20 - 37% of formula-fed babies are provided with enough vitamin D. Breast milk is a source of nutrition. essential and unique to the overall development of a newborn. However, there is not enough vitamin D in breast milk that your baby needs each day. Even babies who drink formula milk are also at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, doctors recommend taking vitamin D supplementation with infants in the first months of life to avoid the risk of rickets .

How much vitamin D should I supplement for babies?

According to experts, infants need about 400 IU of vitamin D per day. By 1 year, this number will increase to 600 IU and stay the same until the child adulthood. Vitamin D plays a very important role in bone metabolism by regulating calcium and phosphate balance. In addition, vitamin D also helps in cell growth, supports nerve function and immune function.

Babies with vitamin D deficiency are at an increased risk of bone problems such as rickets (a disorder that makes bones more prone to fracture). Not only that, but supplementing enough vitamin D also helps young bones stronger after adulthood. Some studies have even shown that vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease , autoimmune disorders and cancer.

Which children are at risk of vitamin deficiency?

Children can become deficient in vitamin D without adequate supplements. Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for many other diseases. Some causes of vitamin deficiency include:

- Children live in a place where sunlight is limited;

- Children with dark skin. The skin pigment melanin blocks sunlight so vitamin D will not be efficiently produced;

- Children can only breastfeed: Breastfeeding is very good for babies but breast milk does not have the necessary amount of vitamin needed. Mother should note vitamin D supplements for babies if babies only drink breast milk;

- Children are suffering from some diseases such as cystic fibrosis , inflammatory bowel disease. For these children, the body does not absorb nutrients well, including vitamin D. In addition, obese children are also likely to have vitamin deficiency.

How to supplement vitamin D for babies

Infants should take vitamin D supplements (in the form of drops) as directed by their pediatrician. Although formula milk can provide enough vitamin D for babies, sometimes babies are not feeding enough, so the amount of vitamin D absorbed into the body is not guaranteed. Note that if your baby drinks about 500ml of formula per day or more, you do not need a vitamin D supplement.

Breastfed babies need vitamin D supplements until they reach weaning age. During weaning, your baby will absorb vitamin D through foods such as milk, orange juice, yogurt, cheese, salmon, tuna, eggs, cereals, tofu ... At this point, if Still worry that your baby is not getting enough vitamin D every day, you can give your baby more multivitamins. However, before giving it to your child, you should consult your doctor to see how to supplement and how much dose is appropriate.

During pregnancy, it's best to get enough vitamin D to prevent your baby from being born with low vitamin D levels in the body. You can supplement by staying in the sun for 10-15 minutes a day and eating lots of foods rich in vitamin D.

Can babies get vitamin D from sunlight?

You have heard many people say that babies should not be exposed to much sunlight because their skin is very fragile. However, doctors recommend that you still carry your child for a walk in the sun in the early morning or late afternoon for 10-15 minutes / day. If your baby has smooth white skin, you should only hold the baby out for about 10 minutes a day, but if the baby's skin is a bit dark, you can go out for a little longer.

The time you should let your baby out is from 7 - 9 am and after 5 pm because this is the time when the ultraviolet rays are weakest and less harmful to the baby. You should not let your baby sunbathe in a windy place and do not let the sun shine directly on the baby's head, face and genitals. When you let your baby go out, it is best to have a hat ready.

If you intend to let the baby go out for a long time (more than 15 minutes), apply sunscreen to your baby about 15 minutes before leaving and reapply every few hours. However, you should note that babies under 6 months old should not stay in the sun for more than 15 minutes. 

Please refer to the article Sunbathing for babies properly so that your baby can absorb enough vitamin D

Could your child have an excess of vitamins?

According to the Functional Food Administration (a department of the National Institutes of Health), the limit of vitamin D for infants up to 12 months is 1,000 to 1,500 units daily, and from 2,500 to 3,000 units for children aged 1 to 8 years old. Vitamin D is stored in body tissue, so it is best for mothers not to give the baby more than the number of experts recommended.

To be safe, if you have young children, give them 400 units of a daily supplement as recommended. For older babies, parents can provide more than 400 units and it is best to consult your doctor before giving your baby vitamin intake.

If vitamin D supplements overdose, what risks will your baby face?

Although vitamin D is essential for your baby's development, you should only consume in moderation. If you abuse too much will lead to vitamin D poisoning, causing many serious consequences such as:

Increased blood calcium, making children stop breastfeeding, or vomiting . More serious can cause the child to calcify blood vessels, kidney stones , heart damage.

Children show signs of fatigue, refusing to exercise or play.

When you notice these signs, you need to stop taking vitamin D supplements immediately and see your baby's doctor.

Through the above sharing, hope you have some more useful information about vitamin D supplementation for babies. If you still have questions about infant vitamin D supplements or other baby nutrients, see your doctor for the answers.