{"id":5542,"date":"2021-03-01T23:17:34","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T23:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=5542"},"modified":"2021-03-01T23:17:36","modified_gmt":"2021-03-01T23:17:36","slug":"ask-a-lactation-consultant-vitamin-d-for-a-breastfeeding-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebadassbreastfeeder.com\/?p=5542","title":{"rendered":"Ask A Lactation Consultant: Vitamin D For A Breastfeeding Baby"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Does my breastfed baby need vitamin D? My pediatrician says I should give my 4-month-old a vitamin D supplement. What should I do?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The short answer is yes.\u00a0 However, there is a lot more to it.\u00a0 Parents sometimes assume that they will need to supplement their baby with additional Vitamin D because human milk is deficient in Vitamin D.\u00a0 This is usually what they are told.\u00a0 Nothing could be further from the truth.\u00a0 The truth is human milk does have Vitamin D, but it is rarely enough for both the parent and the baby.\u00a0 There are many variables to consider about this as well.\u00a0 The most efficient way we get Vitamin D is from the sun.\u00a0 Was your baby born during winter months(not that we recommend having your newborn out in the sun anyway)?\u00a0 Do you live in a colder climate?\u00a0 Do you or your baby have darker skin color?\u00a0 All of these things can affect how much Vitamin D you and your baby are exposed to.\u00a0 If you are breast\/chest feeding and you are deficient in Vitamin D, the chances are good your baby is as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

There was a study done in 2015<\/a> that found if the breast\/chest feeding parent took at least 6400ius of Vitamin D, this was enough for both parent and baby. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would suggest having a simple blood test done to find out where your Vitamin D levels are so you can adjust your dose accordingly.  You can also give your baby a Vitamin D supplement of 400ius in drop form and this will be enough for them. Vitamin D is important for good health, and babies can start out deficient if the birth parent is deficient during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this episode of the Badass Breastfeeding Podcast<\/a> for more information on Vitamin D for babies!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dianne Cassidy is a Lactation Consultant in upstate NY.\u00a0 She has been working with new families for 15 years and is also a blogger and co-host of the Badass Breastfeeding Podcast<\/a>.\u00a0 Dianne is the mother to 3 kids, including a set of twins, and 2 dogs. You can find more from Dianne at her blog, Milkly<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\r\n