A member asked:
Why do i have to give my newborn baby vitamins?
7 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marc Grellaanswered
Pediatrics 29 years experience
For Vitamin D: Although docs disagree on whether to give it or not, the only vitamin that breastfeeding babies may need is vitamin d. While breastmilk provides excellent nutrition for babies, the amount of vitamin d in breastmilk varies, even if a mother gets plenty from food or takes a supplement herself. Only d is needed; it can be bought as d alone, or as tri-vi-sol (a/c/d) or as poly-vi-sol (many vits).
6.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Lawrence Rosenanswered
Pediatrics 29 years experience
Vitamin D : The aap recommends that all babies get supplemental vitamin D3 (400 iu per day). There are studies demonstrating that exclusively breastfed babies get enough vit d from moms if moms take 4000-6000iu D3 per day.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Josephine Ruiz-healyanswered
Pediatrics 40 years experience
If nursed for vit D: Breast fed infants requiere vit d as there is not enough in moms breast milk. The guidelins call for 400 iu (international units) of vitamin d per day.
Infant formulas are supplemented with vitamin d.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Paul Tranianswered
Specializes in Pediatrics
Vitamin D: Vitamin d doesn't pass through breast milk - it's the only vitamin that doesn't. For babies partially or completely breast-fed, the vitamin d supplement is one of the few ways we can ensure that they're getting the right amount.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Kevin Windischanswered
Pediatrics 26 years experience
Vitamin d: Breast milk does not have sufficient vitamin d to prevent bone disease.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Jeffrey Minanswered
Specializes in Pediatrics
Vitamin D deficiency: Newborns need to be supplemented with vitamin d (400 iu/day) if they are solely breastfed. The vitamin d is to prevent a deficiency that can lead to rickets.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 34 years experience
To avoid deficiency: Over the past century, many diseases have been identified as being caused by specific vitamin deficiencies. Food and drink in america were then fortified with those important vitamins, so now we hardly see people with vitamin-deficiency diseases. Formula is fortified with the needed vitamins. Babies drinking just breastmilk usually need extra vitamin d.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 7, 2018
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