vit D for babes? « Back to Group Discussions

[nald1]

I know the pediatricians say it is necessary to supplement for BF babies but I think I remember learning it wasnt with DD?  Who is and isnt - and what's the current thought process on this?

[Baby_Cakes]

I don't like the idea that my breast milk is lacking something just b/c they add it to formula.  I think that's skewed logic.  I think as long as mom supplements herself or gets adequate sunshine, and eats a good diet, then there is no need to supplement baby.

Since it's winter, I supplement myself.  I don't give anything directly to Finn.

[cakemama579]

Carlson makes an infant vit D drop that is tasteless and you only need a tiny drop--you can even drop it in your nipple before you bf baby.

I think the argument is more that we expose our babies to less sunshine than in the past due to skin cancer/uv rays, etc., rather than the fact that it is in formula and not so much in breastmilk.  regardless, it's important for brain development so I give it to dd (when I remember). 

[stellabluz]

btw~babycakes, what is your dosage? I have been wondering for meself:)

I could maybe see the logic of it in times of sickness...

I actually gave Mose Sodium Ascorbate (vit C crystals ) in breastmilk when he caught a horrible cold from his sisters a few weeks back. I noticed improvement in 24 hours.

[Italiamom]

An adult should be shooting between 2000-4000 IU per day during the winter months unless you live in a sunny climate.  Even in Miami, I'd still take at least 1000 IU of D3 per day.  It is essential to immune function, and as a species we are no longer spending lots of time nude in the sun.  Unless one of you ladies is regularly posting from some fantastic nude beach somewhere (in which case, I WANT TO GO TO THERE!). 

I live in a very dark, very rainy, very depressing climate in the winter months.  Supplementing with vit D is essential for adults here if you don't want to wallow in depression and sickness.  I give both of the kids D3 (we use the Carlsen's Infant D drops).  I give DD 400 IU per day, and DS 800 IU per day.  If they are sick, I bump that up their dose another 400 IU per day for 10 days.  According to a previous pediatrician, I could actually be giving them more.  But what I give them is what's instructed on the bottle, so that's what I go with.

I'm with Carrie that I'm skeptical about whether it is actually needed or absorbed for small infants like ours, but at the same time, the Carlsen's D3 drops aren't terribly expensive, and the bottle lasts forever.  A dose is one drop.  And during cold and flu season especially, I'll take all the help I can get!!  If nothing else, it's nice to have on hand for a cold or flu, when their little immune systems need all the help we can give.

[nald1]

good to hear Im not the only skeptical one out there.  I do supplement but ended up with a toxic Vit D level for having too much in my system.  i try to get out every day and in daylight hours for runs and walks so maybe i didnt need as much as i was taking?

[Chaika]

I'm still taking prenatals with Vit D in them, and my soymilk is also fortified.  It's pretty sunny where I am, and we go for walks every day.  My pediatrician actually has never said anything about Vit D.  Anyway, I'm not supplementing the baby right now.

[Baby_Cakes]

I take this one (when I remember):

http://www.vitashine-d3.com/

[Beckily]

We should buy some. Both Dusty and I tested low. Dusty was actually the second lowest the doc had ever seen - very close to rickets level. We supplement ourselves when we remember and should do the same for our little cave baby. He does not get enough sun. Rainy season has started and I'm not yet ready to go out and get wet.

[HawaiianBlesing]

The majority of Americans are Vit D deficient hence the common recommendation.  Taken October through March cuts the chance of getting the flu significantly.  It also has been shown to decrease asthma outbreaks in children during this time as well.  We supplement.  I take between 2 & 4000 IU /day and babe takes 400 IU/day as recommended by the pedi.  We use biotics drops.  So much easier than the pills for us and lasts a long time.  We use the drops for ds as well. 

[PoetryLover]

Our very natural minded doctor advises we supplement with Vitamin D3, so we supplement both boys. It's the only thing I give the baby, along with elderberry syrup (the kind with no honey) when he isn't feeling well.Honestly, I never get out. I hate to say it, but babe gets very little sun. It's possible that he could get enough Vitamin D from my breast milk, but honestly, I'd rather not take the chance of him having a deficiency. I am very skeptical about some things. I wouldn't give him something I'm not sure he *needs* if it could possibly do damage to him, but I can't see the harm in a little extra Vitamin D.  I give it to my toddler, as well. My doctor said that most of her patients have tested low on Vitamin D.

[SoonToBe]

I will ask our new doc next week and see what he says.  I know my levels are good because I have them tested regularly, but we aren't outside as much as I would have expected.  Hmmm...

[PoetryLover]

I wanted to add that I asked our family doctor about supplementing babies who are breastfed with Vitamin D, and her response was that it isn't necessary to supplement the baby as long as the mother is getting plenty of Vitamin D herself. So I'll just be supplementing myself going forward. I also wanted to share an interesting article she placed on her fb page:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16086004