Guidelines for vitamin D and calcium supplements for infants

Similar to adults, vitamin D is also essential for the development of bone, teeth, and immune systems in children. It is also important for regulating inflammation and ensuring your brain health. Now, you may get ample vitamin D from vitamin D-rich food but what about your baby? If you are thinking about the same, this article is for you. 

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommends babies to be fed with exclusively only breast milk till the age of 6 months. Human milk contains a natural balance of vitamins C, E, and B. This means that if you and your baby are well-nourished and healthy, you may not require supplements for these vitamins. Breastfed babies, however, do require supplemental vitamin D or intake it from the sources of vitamin D.  

Why Do Babies Need Vitamin D Supplements? 

Humans produce vitamin D from sunlight. Hence, an ample dose of daily sunlight is required to boost vitamin D levels in your body. Children, on the other hand, are prone to sunburns. Hence, you also need to protect them with sunscreen, hat, or other protective clothing when outdoors.  

This may seem like a constant dilemma. For this very reason, AAP recommends all babies receive vitamin D supplements. This is, however, not required if your baby is consuming more than 27 ounces per day of commercial formula that has vitamin D supplements added. 

In general, your baby needs vitamin D, because: 

• His skin is extremely sensitive to the sun and a direct contact may cause sunburn and even cancer. 

• Breast milk does not contain adequate vitamin D. 

• Babies tend to grow quickly between the age of 0 to 12 months and they have a higher need for vitamin D to develop strong bones. 

What Are Vitamin D Benefits? 

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in developing and ensuring your bodily functions, this includes: 

Healthy Bones 

Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and helps in maintaining adequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood which is required for healthy bones and teeth. 

A deficiency of this vitamin in children may lead to rickets which causes softening of bones and other dental problems. 

Strengthening Immune System 

Apart from keeping your bones healthy, vitamin D also plays an integral role in strengthening your immune system. A strong immune system can protect your child from various diseases including even cancer. 

What Causes Deficiency of Vitamin D? 

Although your body can produce vitamin D with sunlight, it may not be adequate. In the case of babies, if you are not providing supplemental vitamin D, a deficiency is likely to occur. The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include: 

• Rickets. 

• Change in skin colour. 

• Muscle weakness or spasm. 

• Joint pain. 

• Bone pain. 

• Problems with the development of bone or teeth. 

How To Increase Vitamin D in Babies? 

If your baby is vitamin D deficient, consult your paediatrician at the earliest. The paediatrician will recommend vitamin D supplements to your baby. Usually, a vitamin D capsule or drops up to 400 IU (10 mcg) per day is recommended for babies up to the age of 1 year. For children above the age of 1 year, the dose is increased up to 600 IU (15 mcg) per day. 

Make sure, however, that you do not self-administer and consult your paediatrician before giving any vitamin D supplement to your baby. If your paediatrician has recommended vitamin D drops, check the label for the number of drops or amount of liquid to be administered to the baby. Read the instructions every time as the instructions may change with brands.  

Usually, one dose of vitamin D drop contains about 5 mcg of vitamin D. The number of drops can vary depending on your supplement. If you are providing the correct dose, your baby will not be at any risk. If, however, you are giving large doses of the vitamin, it can make your baby sick. 

The best way to avoid this from happening is by learning the method of administration from your paediatrician or nurse. 

Do Babies Also Need Iron Supplements Along with Vitamin D? 

Just like vitamin D, breast milk also does not contain iron. Unlike vitamin D, your breastfeeding baby does not require additional iron for the first four months of his life. This is because babies have adequate iron in their bodies for initial growth. As they grow, however, this iron reserve starts depleting and their need for iron begins to increase. 

As per AAP, a four-month-old baby who is completely or partially breastfeeding requires iron supplementation with 1 mg/kg per day of oral iron until iron-containing foods are included in the diet. AAP also recommends all babies be screened for iron deficiency anaemia at the age of 12 months. 

If you had pregnancy or birth complications including diabetes, low birth weight, prematurity, or if your baby was too small for his gestational age and is on your breast milk, your paediatrician may start an iron supplementation from the first month of birth itself. These supplements, however, will stop as your baby starts receiving iron from food.