Can you add vitamin D drops to breast milk?

Can You Add Vitamin D Drops to Breast Milk?
The question of whether vitamin D drops can be added directly to breast milk is a nuanced one, rooted in the understanding of both maternal and infant nutrition. While breast milk is widely recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, it is notably low in vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bone development and overall health.
Understanding Vitamin D in Breast Milk
Breast milk naturally contains some vitamin D, but the concentrations are often insufficient to meet the daily requirements of exclusively breastfed infants. Research indicates that maternal supplementation with vitamin D—specifically in the range of 10 to 50 micrograms (400 to 2,000 IU) daily—does not typically produce adequate levels in breast milk to fulfill an infant’s needs. This deficiency is significant because vitamin D plays a crucial role in preventing conditions like rickets, a disease characterized by weak or soft bones in children.
The Role of Supplementation
Given the low levels of vitamin D in breast milk, health authorities recommend that breastfed infants receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms. This supplementation is particularly important for infants who do not receive any formula, as formula is often fortified with vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that all breastfed infants should receive a vitamin D supplement starting shortly after birth.
Maternal vs. Infant Supplementation
Interestingly, some studies have explored the effectiveness of maternal vitamin D supplementation as an alternative to direct infant supplementation. For instance, a study found that when mothers took higher doses of vitamin D (up to 6,400 IU per day), the levels in their breast milk were sufficient to meet the needs of their nursing infants. This approach could simplify the supplementation process, ensuring that infants receive adequate vitamin D through their mother’s milk without the need for separate drops.
Practical Considerations
While it is technically possible to add vitamin D drops to breast milk, it is generally not recommended as a standard practice. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring that infants receive their vitamin D through appropriate supplementation. If a mother is considering adding vitamin D drops to her breast milk, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss the best approach for both maternal and infant health.
In conclusion, while breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants, it often lacks sufficient vitamin D. Therefore, direct supplementation for infants is advised, and maternal supplementation can also be an effective strategy to ensure adequate vitamin D levels in breast milk.

When should I stop giving my breastfed baby vitamin D drops?

Young children should still have vitamin drops, even if they get out in the sun. The Department of Health and Social Care recommends: Babies from birth to 1 year of age who are being breastfed should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D to make sure they get enough.

Do breastfed babies really need vitamin D?

Breast milk alone does not provide infants with enough vitamin D. Shortly after birth, most breastfed infants will need an additional source of vitamin D through a supplement.

Can you put vitamin D drops in breast milk bottle?

Yes, give your baby D-Drops as long as their you’re breastfeeding/pumping and even when you’re supplementing with formula.

Can I put vitamin D drops on a pacifier?

You can put one drop on your clean finger, on the nipple before latching, or on a pacifier before putting it into your baby’s mouth.

What are the side effects of vitamin D drops for breastfed babies?

For partially breastfed infants or formula-fed infants who do not drink 1 liter of formula each day, the doctor may prescribe a much smaller dose. Too much vitamin D can cause nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, joint pain, confusion, and fatigue.

Is it okay to mix vitamin D with milk?

Yes, it’s generally fine to take vitamin D tablets with a glass of milk. In fact, milk is often fortified with vitamin D, which can help with its absorption. There’s no specific time interval required between the two; you can take them together or with a meal for better absorption since vitamin D is fat-soluble.

Why add vitamin D to milk?

Milk Is an Important Source of Vitamins A & D
Vitamin D plays a critical function in calcium absorption and metabolism, and proper bone development. In Canada, milk has been fortified with vitamins since the 1970s, and this has contributed to the elimination of childhood diseases such as rickets (a bone disease).

How to increase vitamin D in breast milk?

Vitamin D activity in “normal” lactating women’s milk is known to be in the range of 5 to 80 IU/L depending on the method of assay1,5,6; however, the vitamin D content of human milk can be greatly increased by maternal oral vitamin D supplementation and/or increasing solar exposure of the mother.

What Cannot be mixed with vitamin D?

Examples of medications that can interact with vitamin D include atorvastatin (Lipitor), orlistat (Xenical, Alli), and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide). Other examples include rifampin (Rimactane), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and digoxin (Lanoxin).

Do newborns really need vitamin D drops?

All children need vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. Children younger than 12 months old need 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Children 12 to 24 months old need 600 IU of vitamin D each day.