Vitamin D is mainly produced by our skin through sunlight. But it’s also present in certain foods: in fatty fish (such as salmon, sardines or tuna), in egg yolk, butter and green leafy vegetables.
Why’s it important to supplement vitamin D inatake in infants up to one year old? We explain in the following paragraphs!
What is vitamin D used for?
Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, helping in the development of bones and teeth.
It supports proper functioning of our immune system.
Recent studies suggest that it also promotes certain neuromuscular functions, helps against asthma, protects the skin against atopic dermatitis and contributes to the normal development of the central nervous system.
Why do infants need vitamin D?
Vitamin D is mainly produced through direct exposure to the sun, which is not recommended for young infants for quite different reasons. And it’s particularly difficult during the winter months.
Only 10% of vitamin D comes from food intake; breast milk and food alone do not provide sufficient amount.
Yet it’s crucial for the development of our bone and immune system, which is why paediatricians recommend supplementing it with vitamin D drops for infants.
Some artificial milk formula already contain an additional amount of vitamin D, so in these cases we recommend that you ask your paediatrician for guidance on the right amount to supplement with vitamin d drops newborn.
How much vitamin D drops for infants and when do babies need vitamin D drops?
Vitamin D supplementation is recommended during the first 12 months of life at a dosage of 400 I.U. (International Units) per day.
Infant vitamin d drops can be administered with a teaspoon or under the tongue. You can also rub some on your nipple before breastfeeding, or add them to their milk if bottle-feeding.
There’s no specific time of day when vitamin D should be given.
Our advice is to give your baby vitamin D supplement newborn every day at the same time to set a routine and to help you, as a parent, not to forget.
Why do you give babies vitamin D as a supplement?
As we said, vitamin D production mainly derives from exposure to the sun. Only 10% comes from food intake.
It seems that 20 minutes a day of exposure of hands and face to the sun without sunscreen is suffice for our bodies to produce enough vitamin D, but babies are in the sun much less than they used to be because our lifestyle has changed so much. Plus, we are now well aware of the importance of using sun cream. This applies to adults too, many people have vitamin D deficiency!
What are the signs of vitamin d deficiency in babies?
The most common consequence of vitamin D deficiency in infants is rickets, characterised by more fragile and easily deformed bones. Fortunately, rickets is very rare today.
