Vitamin D is important as it helps babies absorb phosphorous and calcium. According to WHO, vitamin D supplements may be able to prevent rickets, especially in infants and children who are at a higher risk because of limited sun exposure.
However, infants are born with very low levels of vitamin D in their bodies, so they rely on breastmilk or sunlight for their daily dose of vitamin D. However, the vitamin D in breastmilk depends on the how much the mother has, which is often low. Sunlight exposure may be needed but it’s difficult to gauge how much exposure they need, and there is also the hazard of UV rays. In such cases, supplementation may be the best and safest solution.
What are the Best Sources of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D may come from several sources, such as:
- Sunlight. The most common source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. Babies in countries located in the far north may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency because they do not get enough sunlight. Likewise, clothing and sunscreen that protect babies from the harmful rays of the sun also block vitamin D.
- Milk. Some formula milk is fortified with vitamin D. Breastmilk, on the other hand, may not have enough vitamin D, so breastfed babies are more prone to vitamin D deficiency.
- Vitamin Supplement. Pediatricians usually prescribe breastfed babies with vitamin D deficiency with newborn vitamin D drops.
Is Your Baby at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency?
Your baby’s risk of vitamin D deficiency increases if:
- They are breastfed, and their mothers do not have enough vitamin D themselves
- They have darker skin pigmentation
- They are from northern communities where sunlight is scarce
Breastmilk is best for babies, and nobody says otherwise. However, the fact remains that breastmilk may not have enough vitamin D. If this is the case, then it’s not wrong to supplement with newborn vitamin D drops.
