Newborn Vitamin D--WWYD?

[staceychev]

My pediatrician recommended Vitamin D drops for my 5 week old daughter. I'm concerned about giving her anything other than breastmilk this early to keep her gut as protected as possible. Yet, at the same time, I do believe that vit-D is really important. What wins out? Does anyone have any resources they can point me to? I was on kellymom, but her vitamin D links aren't working.

[Addy's Mom]

Why did he recommend them? If it was just a general recommendation, I'd just get some sunshine each day. Even just 10 minutes a day.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by Addy's Mom

Why did he recommend them? If it was just a general recommendation, I'd just get some sunshine each day. Even just 10 minutes a day.

I think it was part of the well-baby visit script, honestly. (The funny--and quite sad--part of the script was when the nurse asked me if I was "still breastfeeding." At the one-month visit? Really?)

[Carhootel]

the advice I've heard from LLL leaders is that if you are concerned have YOUR vit D levels checked. If you are low - supplement yourself. Your lo will get what they need. That said, after my levels were checked (and were low) I started supplementing both myself and ds (with carlsons baby d drops)

[nicole_marie]

I second having your levels checked. Where I live in MN, I hear that it's impossible to get enough sunlight from vitamin D in the winter. Living this far north is probably not natural for humans. Vitamin D is important for bone growth. I didn't give it to my oldest son when he was little and I wish that I had. He has discoid meniscus and I can't help but wonder if it is really congenital, or if it's from vitamin d deficiency. I give liquid vitamin d3 to my 15 month old (his levels were checked via blood and they were low).

[MountainMamaGC]

The weather is getting nicer, why not put you and your LO in the sun for about 5 min everyday. If it were winter and you lived farther north I would supplement yourself or the baby. The sun works well as long as you dont bathe your baby too much and wash the vitamin D off before it can be absorbed.

[KatWrangler]

This is a good explaination. Mama needs to be getting enough Vitamin D in order for it to pass to baby. So if you are low, your baby will have low Vitamin D.

http://www.007b.com/vitamin-d-breast-milk.php

[Mom2M]

I take 6500 iu's a day for my DD to get enough without supplementing her. I do not think you can get enough from the sun.
http://www.easy-immune-health.com/vi...stfeeding.html

[sbgrace]

I wouldn't rely on the sun.
You could get your own 25(OH) D levels tested and, if normal, take enough yourself to insure the baby gets some (which is a pretty high dose if I remember correctly). Unless you're supplementing yourself pretty aggressively you're likely low. Many people are.
In short, I'd probably get some Carlson drops and supplement the baby if I could do it over again w/my babies. If I was uncomfortable with that I would be taking a really high dose myself and then I'd supplement the baby as soon as I felt comfortable doing it directly.

[folkgirl]

I steadfastly refused with my older daughter, but at this point I am sold on the benefits and supplementing my 9.5 week old.