Does my breastfeeding baby need more vitamin D?

Maybe. Vitamin D is needed to build strong bones. All infants and children should get at least 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D each day.

To meet this need, your child\’s doctor may recommend that you give your baby a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU each day. This should start in the first few days of life. You can buy vitamin D supplements for infants at a drugstore or grocery store.

Even though sunlight is a major source of vitamin D, it is hard to measure how much sunlight your baby gets and sun exposure can be harmful. Once your baby is weaned from breastmilk, talk to your baby\’s doctor about whether your baby still needs vitamin D supplements. Some children do not get enough vitamin D from the food they eat.

 

You can get more information on Breastfeeding and related subjects on Women’s Health.gov

This is a public information by  Women’s Health. For copyright please check Here.
office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, womenshealth.gov (or girlshealth.gov)