VITAMIN D & HEALTH
Should I be concerned about my baby’s Vitamin D dosage?
Stronger bones and teeth – these are the main benefits of Vitamin D. It helps us absorb calcium and phosphorus which in turn helps maintain our bone health.1 Aside from bones and teeth, Vitamin D also helps with our skin and even mental health! However, many things differ greatly when it comes to babies – especially newborns.
Hence, when it comes to babies, two questions come to mind: How much Vitamin D is essential, and are supplements needed for babies?
How much Vitamin D do babies need?
A normal adult requires a daily dosage of around 600 international units (IU) daily of Vitamin D. However for babies aged 0 – 12 months, it is suggested that they get about 400 IU – this applies to babies who are breastfed or consuming Vitamin D fortified formula.
Although breast milk has a lot of nutrients that a baby would need to grow, it does not contain sufficient Vitamin D which is essential for bone health.2
Currently, it is said that breast milk contains around 5-80 IU per litre which does not meet the daily requirements that infants need. The amount of Vitamin D in breast milk depends on the Vitamin D intake of the mother. Even with the 600 IU daily suggested intake for adults, it is insufficient to provide adequate Vitamin D to an infant from breast milk.3
Is Vitamin D really crucial at such an early age?
Yes! Vitamin D helps strengthen bones and teeth, which is highly important for growing babies. Babies are susceptible to rickets at such an early age and having insufficient Vitamin D could also lead to bone deformities and fractures.
Aside from bone issues, a lack in Vitamin D could also lead to a weak immune system and higher risks for upper and lower respiratory tract infections.3
How do I ensure my baby gets adequate Vitamin D?
Because prolonged sun exposure is not recommended for infants and they are too young to consume solids, these two primary Vitamin D sources are no longer available. So, what else can we do to ensure that our babies get enough Vitamin D?
Directly supplementing an infant is in many ways beneficial. A study done in 2022 compared the efficacy of sunlight exposure to oral vitamin D3 supplementation for infants at the age of 6 months. Results showed that the number of infants with sufficient Vitamin D in the oral Vitamin D3 supplementation group increased from 10.8% to 35.1%, versus the sunlight group which saw no change. 4
This was owing to improved compliance – as oral Vitamin D3 was adequately administered with ease. While it may not be safe for babies to consume oral Vitamin D3 through tablets and capsules, there are other alternatives in the market such as a Vitamin D3 spray (D-Vita) which is more suitable for infants and the young.
Where can I get Vitamin D supplementation for my child?
Sunshine Vitamin has a list of partnered clinics that are equipped to help advise individuals on their Vitamin D supplementation. Our doctors are trained to identify various factors that may affect the amount of dose an individual needs – this extends to lifestyle, diet, and existing medical conditions. Consult your doctor today to ensure your infant gets the Vitamin D he or she needs today.
References
1) Meeks, Sade, and Debra Sullivan. “Vitamin D: Benefits, Sources, Deficiencies – Nutrition.” Available at:
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d. Accessed 26 January 2023.
2) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). “Vitamin D for babies: Are supplements needed?” Available at:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/vitamin-d-for-babies/faq-20058161 Accessed 26 January 2023.
3) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. “Vitamin D Supplementation and Breastfeeding.” Available at:
https://www.infantrisk.com/content/vitamin-d-supplementation-and-breastfeeding. Accessed 26 January 2023.
4) Goyal, Anisha, et al. “Sunlight Exposure vs Oral Vitamin D Supplementation for Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency in Infancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” 22 September 2022, Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36148748/. Accessed 7 February 2023.
RELATED ARTICLES
