Question 1

why do babies and older children need vitamin d?

Accepted Answer

PEOPLE need it: Not just babies and children. The reason we need it is that our skin makes it when exposed to sunlight in the proper wavelength. When you live in a temperate climate and spend much of your time indoors and/or clothed, you are likely deficient. Vitamin D isn't just for bones. It acts as a hormone that helps to regulate the immune system, and you shouldn't be without it.

Question 2

how do i give vitamin d to my infant?

Accepted Answer

Orally: There are many preparations available in liquid form nationwide and in many chain drug stores as well as supermarkets and health food stores.

Question 3

there are studies that show a breastfeeding mom can take vitamin d supplements in the 4000-6000 range and have it pass vitamin d onto their babies in similar amounts to direct supplementation. is it likely safe in those dosages?

Accepted Answer

: Please follow up with your OB. Prenatal vitamins and Vit D in usual doses are usually recommended. Avoid supplements that are not approved and studied in clinical trials.

Question 4

why is it necessary to give vitamin d supplements to my breastfed baby?  doesnt human milk have all the essential nutrients for babies?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Breastmilk is complete, as long as the mother has adequate nutritional stores.  Vitamin d deficiency is very common, due to lack of sun exposure. If mom has adequate vitamin d levels from either sunshine or supplements, breastmilk should be complete.  One study suggests that moms need to take at least 2000 iu of vitamin d daily to allow adequate levels in their breastmilk.

Question 5

can a breastfeeding mother take larger vitamin d supplements to allow it to pass down through breastmilk rather than supplementing with a vitamin d drop directly to the infant? how much sun would a baby need daily if they didnt take it?

Accepted Answer

: Breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate amount of vitamin D. Shortly after birth, most infants will need an additional source of vitamin D. To reduce the risk of skin cancer from sun exposure,  keep infants younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight.

ref: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/vitamin-d.html

Question 6

is vitamin d supplementation really necessary for a breastfed infant if you take him outside to get sun every day? wasnt it not recommended until just recently? how common is rickets and will that happen if we dont supplement?

Accepted Answer

: If you follow official recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, you supplement with Vitamin D for the first year of life.  Vitamin A, C and D supplementation has been recommended for over sixty years.   At 1  year of age, vitamin D fortified milk can be added to the diet.  The longer without adequate vitamin D, the higher the risk of rickets and associated bony deformities.

Question 7

when it is recommended to give calcium to infant? i have eight months child i give him only vitamin d  drops ...he got one teeth only and didn't crawl?

Accepted Answer

Calcium in babies: If the baby is breast fed or on a good formulae calcium supplementation in not necessary.  Breast fed babies do need vit d.  Crawling and number of teeth are not an indication of sufficient calcium.  Some babies skip the crawling phase and go right to walking.  Teeth appear between 6 months or as late as 12 months.  In china many babies are unnecessarily given calcium.

Question 8

i give my infant 4 drops of iron supplement and 2 drops of vitamin d , is it better after or before meal (milk) ?

Accepted Answer

Wait: Iron should not be taken within 30 to 45 minutes after a milk feed, as the calcium decreases iron absorption.  No problem with vitamin d.

Question 9

is it safe to give my 11month baby( vitamin d) drops in winter?

Accepted Answer

Safe and wise: Babies need vit d just as much as adults- probably even more as it is essential for bone growth ; immune function. The vitamin d council recommends infants get 1000- 2000 iu of d a day in winter months (and year-round if your baby does not get adequate mid-day sun).

Question 10

i am giving my baby 16 months vitamin d 4 drops daily when can i stop it ?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D supplement: Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in both children and adults.  If you are no longer breast feeding, you can stop the supplements whenever you feel is appropriate, but pay careful attention and make sure your toddler is eating plenty of foods with Vitamin D and plays in the sunshine regularly.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Does vitamin d keep babies awake

A member asked:

Why do babies and older children need vitamin d?

A member asked:

How do i give vitamin d to my infant?

A member asked:

There are studies that show a breastfeeding mom can take vitamin d supplements in the 4000-6000 range and have it pass vitamin d onto their babies in similar amounts to direct supplementation. is it likely safe in those dosages?

A member asked:

Why is it necessary to give vitamin d supplements to my breastfed baby? doesnt human milk have all the essential nutrients for babies?

A member asked:

Can a breastfeeding mother take larger vitamin d supplements to allow it to pass down through breastmilk rather than supplementing with a vitamin d drop directly to the infant? how much sun would a baby need daily if they didnt take it?

A member asked:

Is vitamin d supplementation really necessary for a breastfed infant if you take him outside to get sun every day? wasnt it not recommended until just recently? how common is rickets and will that happen if we dont supplement?

A member asked:

When it is recommended to give calcium to infant? i have eight months child i give him only vitamin d drops ...he got one teeth only and didn't crawl?

A member asked:

I give my infant 4 drops of iron supplement and 2 drops of vitamin d , is it better after or before meal (milk) ?

A member asked:

Is it safe to give my 11month baby( vitamin d) drops in winter?

A member asked:

I am giving my baby 16 months vitamin d 4 drops daily when can i stop it ?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?