Quick Video Links

 

 

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

Very common recommendations for babies post-birth in India and the US are the supplementation of Vitamin D3 in the form of drops. In this article, we shall understand the reason and throw some light on what research say on its requirement front.

Importance of Vitamin D in Babies

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

• Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium effectively

• Important to maintain skeletal integrity.

• Need to support healthy bone and teeth development.

• Plays a key role in the maintenance of Immune systems.

• Reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and more.

Check the below useful links from our blog

Vitamin D deficiency in babies can lead to

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

• Developmental delays

• Weakened bones

• Improper skeletal development

• Delay in tooth eruption

• Rickets

• Seizures/Fits

• Regular infections

• Irritability

• Muscle Weakness

• Aches & Pains

• Delay in wound healing

Source of Vitamin D for Babies

1. Sunlight 

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a hormone made in our bodies when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

2. Breastmilk 

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

If a mother is having a balanced diet and gets 6400 IU/day then the baby is getting sufficient Vitamin D through Breastmilk. Maternal supplementation of Vitamin D is also advised hence.

3. Formula Milk 

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

If a baby is drinking more than 1 liter of Formula Milk in a day she is getting the required.

4. Supplements 

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

If a baby is taking additional supplements as directed by a physician, she is able to cover up the deficit from Breastmilk or Formula.

5. Food post 6 months 

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

Vitamin Rich foods like fatty fish, liver, egg yolks, mushrooms are good to be included in their diet.

Factors for Vitamin D deficiency in babies

Vitamin D for Babies Are the Supplements Needed for Babies What is Vitamin D Why is Vitamin D needed for babies Importance of Vitamin D to babies Foods that are rich in Vitamin D Why are supplements needed Deficiency of Vitamin D

• Not getting enough from the mother when in the womb.

• Not letting babies outdoors and multiple layers of clothing all the time.

• Seasonal variations in the sunshine and hence hours of exposure varying from region to region.

• High Pollution levels in the region may reduce the amount of Sun’s ultraviolet B rays reach the ground.

• The majority of dark skin types in India – Dark color acts as a natural sunscreen and increases the time required to be under the sun.

• Lack of Maternal supplementation especially breastfeeding mothers.

When can we give supplements to babies?

• When you are not sure of the exposure to the sun.

• When the breastfeeding mother is not able to have a balanced diet or not sure of reaching 6400 IU/ day.

• When babies take less than 1 liter of milk.

• When you are vegetarian and post 6 months you are not sure if you can feed your baby Vitamin D rich food.

• When your baby is proved vitamin deficient post blood test.

Of all the above-mentioned reasons I would summarize to say it is becoming important to supplement vitamin D for babies as the possibility of all above is becoming high and hence most pediatricians advise it by default. Alongside ensuring to expose them to sunlight on a regular basis is important.

Things to keep in mind while giving Vitamin Supplements to babies

• Use a dropper and feed only as recommended as too much can cause toxicity.

• Follow the chart, but in case you miss no need to overdose on it the next day.

Video: Vitamin D for Babies – Are the Supplements needed?

 

Thank you for reading this article. For regular updates please join us on  Instagram, Facebook Page, Pinterest, and our YouTube Channel. You can also join our Kannada Moms Group, Kannada Youtube Channel, Kannada Instagram. Feel free to post your queries, we would be happy to help. 

Views: 1,757