Vitamin D?

[aleatha5]

Is anyone supplementing with Vitamin D? I purchased some, almost used it, didn't, want to, don't want to....grr... I'm so on the fence about this. I live in a place where I won't be able to take my baby outside for vit d for much longer.

Is anyone supplementing? How does the baby seem to take it? I'd appreciate any thoughts on this because I'm so torn!

Thanks mamas!

[Ravin]

We never worried about it. But then, we live in Arizona, so it doesn't take much sun even in the dead of winter to get adequate UV.

Keep in mind you can get UV by laying baby in a sunny spot by a window indoors, too. Still, I think if I lived up north, and baby was born in late summer/early fall, I'd consider using Vit D that first winter, since stores from mother do run out and baby doesn't have a chance to build her own in that situation.

[MountainMamaGC]

I live in Canada so I chose to supplement. I used the Baby D drops. All you need is one drop on your nipple. They are tasteless. I tried the D-Vi-Sol liquid and it just made her barf. It was a sweet and bitter liquid. The Baby D drops are much better.

UV does not go through glass. that is a myth. You need direct sunlight. Also up north the sun is only strong enough like 4 months of the year.

[abigail_b]

I plan on supplementing my 2 week old. It was recommended by my naturopathic doctor. I know what you mean though- I have it but have not yet given her the first dose! But I will do it, I feel it will help protect her against the flu amongst other benefits. We live in MA.

[pers]

Originally Posted by Ravin

Keep in mind you can get UV by laying baby in a sunny spot by a window indoors, too.

Ordinary window glass blocks nearly all the UVB rays needed to stimulate vitamin D production in the skin.

[PatioGardener]

Do you know your vit D levels? Baby can get supplemented through mama's milk if mama's levels are high enough. Moms can supplement themselves and pass it on to baby, but this means taking more than 400 IU a day.

[mamakaikai]

Yes, we've been using and will continue to use Vit D drops. We use Baby D drops, they are super easy to use: 1 tiny drop on nipple, soother, finger, spoon, food, Sophie the giraffe, anything goes.

We live in Canada and that played into our decision to use them. I was hesitant at first, so I decided to have my blood tested early on when babe was a few months old. Dr. Called me and told me I was very Vitamin D deficient, despite spending tons of time outside. So that was all I needed to realize that I personally did want to supplement. I figured if all that time outside left me deficient, my babe would likely also be deficient.

Good luck! There are so many many many decisions to make along the parenting journey!

[curious&eager]

I use Baby D drops and it's very easy. One drop and that's all. They're about $10 on vitacost.com. I tired some of the poly drops and did not like them. But I used poly-vi-sol with iron and I thought it was way overkill on the vitamins and quit after only two doses. I feel very comfortable with the D drops. It's sunny here, but I find I don't get the baby outside enough.

[riverscout]

I use Carlson Baby Ddrops as well. Super easy, no taste, nothing nasty added.

I actually started using them for my son this past summer because we were starting to spend more time indoors due to the heat. We're outside a lot the rest of the year. That said, I'll probably just continue on using them.

[TheGirls]

We do. Last winter I took 2000iu/day myself, and figured baby would get some through BF. This summer I stopped taking it, but did not get enough outside time, apparently, because we tested quite deficient this fall. We spent some time outside every day, but I tried to avoid going out at midday to avoid sunburns. And she naps in the early afternoon. So she really didn't get a lot of strong sun. So now I take 5000iu/day myself and give my 17mo 1000iu/day. We'll check our levels again in a few months and see if it helps. We may lower the dosage once we're less deficient.

In most of the northern half of north america, there is not sufficient sunlight to cause vit D production in the winter months. Your body can store vitamin D from summer, but most people don't get close to enough exposure (without sunscreen, to direct sunlight) to do that. Keep in mind our ancestors (who lived without supplements, lol) spent nearly all day, every day, outside, mostly naked, without sunscreen during the summer. And darker skinned people (who need more sun to make vitD) lived farther south where the sun is stronger.

The drops are super easy too. They are tasteless (I tried one) and I can put a little drop on my nipple before nursing.

[MaterPrimaePuellae]

Absolutely, yes. My DD was tested and her levels were low, and I was tested during this pregnancy, and my levels were low-- despite living in a very hot, sunny place. We started off with the Carlsons but have switched to Biotics on the recommendation of a poster here. I had been taking 2000 IUs of Carlsons daily for months before I was tested and still found to be "below sufficient" (27, when 30 should really be the bottom of the acceptable amount), so I switched to a (hopefully) more bio-available supplement.

I think Vit D is very, very important.

[justKate]

Originally Posted by Ravin

We never worried about it. But then, we live in Arizona, so it doesn't take much sun even in the dead of winter to get adequate UV.

Keep in mind you can get UV by laying baby in a sunny spot by a window indoors, too. Still, I think if I lived up north, and baby was born in late summer/early fall, I'd consider using Vit D that first winter, since stores from mother do run out and baby doesn't have a chance to build her own in that situation.

We're in central TX.