Sources- PMID 34199067
blindaselle on TT
While breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition, it naturally contains very little vitamin D, typically providing less than 25 IU/L. Since infants must avoid direct sunlight to protect their sensitive skin, they cannot synthesize enough of the “sunshine vitamin” on their own. To prevent rickets and support bone development, health organizations like the AAP and NHS recommend that exclusively or partially breastfed infants (less than 500ml formula/day) receive a daily supplement of 400 IU (or 8.5 to 10 micrograms) starting shortly after birth. Even if a mother takes vitamin D herself, the transfer into breast milk is usually insufficient to meet the baby’s needs unless the mother is taking extremely high, supervised doses.
Administering these supplements is typically done using concentrated liquid drops to avoid adding unnecessary volume to a newborn’s diet. The most effective way to give the dose is to place a single drop directly onto the mother’s nipple or a clean finger just before the baby latches, allowing them to swallow it during the feeding. Alternatively, the liquid can be dispensed into the side of the baby’s mouth using the dropper provided—though you should never drop it directly into the back of the throat to avoid choking. While formula is fortified, a baby must consume roughly 32 ounces (about 1 liter) per day to reach the recommended vitamin D levels; therefore, babies who “top up” with formula but don’t reach that volume still require a daily supplement.
#babies #parents #pregnancy
