Best Vitamin D For Newborns

Can Babies Get Vitamin D From Sunlight

Its difficult to tell how much vitamin D our bodies make from the time we spend outdoors, but the AAP warns against direct exposure to babies due to the suns damaging UV rays.

Babies sensitive skins are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV rays. The AAP even recommends using protective clothing and sunscreen every time babies are exposed to the sun.

Vitamin D Your Baby And You

It is a known fact that human milk is the superior infant food. Human milk is the most complete nutritionally, immunologically, and is the only food designed specifically for your baby. Given that it is expected to be perfect, you may be confused about why your babys doctor is encouraging you to give your breastfed baby vitamin D supplements.

In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics amended its recommendation regarding vitamin D supplementation of infants and children. The current recommendation reads:

A supplement of 400 IU/day of vitamin D should begin within the first few days of life and continue throughout childhood. Any breastfeeding infant, regardless of whether he or she is being supplemented with formula, should be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D. :1142-52)

Why is vitamin D important?

Vitamin D is a key nutrient in the maintenance of bone health in children and adults. Because vitamin D is essential for promoting calcium absorption in the body, vitamin D deficiency is marked by such conditions as rickets , osteomalacia , and can lead to osteoporosis if left unchecked longterm. While researchers are still working to prove a cause-and-effect relationship between low levels of vitamin D and other health issues, anecdotal and epidemiological correlations have been found between vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency and the following:

I spend a lot of time outside. Surely Im not deficient in vitamin D.

Should I supplement my breastfed baby with vitamin D?

Vitamin D And Coronavirus

The NHS says there have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus but that ‘there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D to prevent or treat coronavirus.’

However, in relation to pregnancy and birth, we do know that 55% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are from a BAME background, even though they only make up a quarter of the births in England and Wales.

We also know that Asian women are four times more likely than white women to be admitted to hospital with COVID-19 during pregnancy, while Black women are eight times more likely.

As a result, the NHS is ensuring that hospitals discuss vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy with all women.

This is because women who are low in vitamin D may be more vulnerable to coronavirus so women with darker skin or those who always cover their skin when outside may be at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency and should therefore consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement all year round.

As of December 2020, the UK government started to supply free vitamin D supplements in the winter months to those most at risk of coronavirus. People on the clinically extremely vulnerable list will be contacted and can opt for a supply delivered to their door.

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Zarbees Naturals Baby Vitamin D Supplement

This is another great vitamin D drops product thats easy to recommend! It has thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, and were sure that a lot of parents love these baby drops!

This formula is specially made for breastfed babies, and its made of two main ingredients. The first ingredient is vitamin D3, while the others are medium-chain triglycerides derived from coconut oil and palm kernel oil.

This is formulated to be gentle for any baby, so dont worry about it causing any problems!

These drops for babies are also free of gluten, dairy, egg, and peanut. Its also free of harmful chemicals like alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and dyes.

The unique and easy-to-use syringe is what we love the most about these vitamin D drops. You can easily give these drops to your baby, and you can directly administer them to their mouths or mix it with any food or formula!

Each serving gives 400 IU, which is enough vitamin D for babies up to 12 months.

On the downside, despite being more affordable than other baby drops on this list, it only has 56 servings. Expect this to run out after 2 months.

Pros

• Only lasts 56 servings or around 2 months
• Some parents might not be fond of the syringe

Best Vitamin D Liquid Drops For Babies Faq

Your baby’s pediatrician recommended that you start supplementing their diet with vitamin D in drop form, but you’re not sure where to start.

It can be hard to find vitamin D supplements that meet all your infants’ needs. Only on Amazon there are well over 100 different brands. So many questions are raised!!

We’ve answered the most Frequently Asked Questions about this baby vitamin so that you can make an informed decision about which drops are best for your infant.

Does breast milk contain vitamin D?

According to CDC.gov Breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate amount of vitamin D. Shortly after birth, most infants will need an additional source of vitamin D.

What happens if I forgot to give my baby vitamin D drops?

If you forget to give your baby their vitamin D drops, they may not get enough of it. This can cause problems with their bones and muscles. Without enough vitamin D, babies can develop Rickets, a condition that causes their bones to become soft and weak. If you think your baby may be lacking vitamin D, talk to their pediatrician. They can test your baby’s blood level of vitamin D and recommend supplements if necessary.

How long do infants need vitamin D drops?

Do vitamin D drops make babies sleepy?

Do vitamin D in drops make the baby fussy?

Nothing is more frustrating than a fussy baby, and it can be even more confusing when you’re not sure what’s causing the fussiness.

How many ml of vitamin D does a newborn need?

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Is Vitamin D For Babies And Children Just For The Winter

Professor Cyrus Cooper says: ‘Children have bones that are growing rapidly and need a plentiful supply of vitamin D and calcium to support this.

‘Winter months are important to cover, but evidence suggests that supplements of 400IU may be beneficial throughout the year.’

Government guidance is just for the winter, but there’s no harm in giving this dose to children in the spring and autumn months too.

Best Vitamin D Drops For Baby

Pediatricians recommend vitamin D drops for baby because vitamin D plays several major roles in the body. Vitamin D is an important vitamin that helps build strong bones, promote muscle development, and supports a strong immune system.

A deficiency of vitamin D is a problem for babies and young children. A deficiency can disrupt the balance of other important nutrients in the body like calcium and phosphorus. It can also delay proper growth and bone development. Low levels of vitamin D contribute to bone-softening conditions like rickets. Because of this, it is important to make sure little ones are getting enough vitamin D from the start.

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Best Vitamin D Drops For Babies

We include products we think will help our readers. We may earn a commission on some of these product links.

Fact checked by Dianna Thompson.

There is a good reason that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies and young children supplement their diets with Vitamin D. Both breastfed and bottle fed babies are most often found to not get enough Vitamin D through normal daily nutrition and exposure to the sun.

And Did You Know

It is thought by many experts that the main deficiency in our country at this time is you guessed it Vitamin D.

Why is Vitamin D So Important for Babies?

The main issue with a lack of Vitamin D is has to do with bones since it helps the body to assimilate calcium, it is absolutely crucial to have enough, especially in the early stages of life in order to build healthy, strong bones and a strong immune system.

If a deficiency in Vitamin D continues over an extended period of time , additional, longer-term problems can result diseases such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, immune system disorders and cardiovascular problems have been linked to Vitamin D deficiencies.

Whats here: On this page you will find a list of the ten best Vitamin D drops for babies . The list is ordered from #1 to #10 and includes various types and brands. It is ranked according to which drops parents are buying the most rather than hinging on my own personal preference or opinion.

Does Sun Exposure Provide Adequate Vitamin D For Babies

It is recommended that you limit your babys exposure to direct sun. With this in mind, you should not consider it your babys primary source of vitamin D.

But vitamin D is nicknamed the sunshine vitamin and this is because your skin absorbs ultraviolet light and this helps your body to produce vitamin D.

There are some recommendations with regard to the length of time your baby should be exposed to direct sunlight as well as the safest times of the day.

For example, if your baby is aged 6 months and over, it is recommended that they spend a few minutes each day outside. But that they do so during non-peak sun hours which are before 10 am and after 4 pm.

This gives them time to absorb the suns rays and boost their vitamin D production. The recommended time that you stay in the sun each day is dependant on your location, your skin tone, and your age. It can vary from a few minutes to up to 15 minutes.

There are other ways that you can safely spend extended periods of time outdoors with your baby. This includes taking a few precautions such as the following

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Nordic Naturals Babys Vitamin D3

OUR PICK

This supplement is our best vitamin D drops pick for good reason.

This product is unique because it has an award-winning formula. Its the official baby vitamin D by the American Pregnancy Association!

Its also verified by a third party to be pure and exceptionally fresh. This Vitamin D supplement is recognized and trusted to get the job done!

It has a gluten-free and dairy-free formula, and vitamin D is made from the natural form of vitamin D which is cholecalciferol D3. This gives better body absorption compared to vitamin D2.

This source of vitamin D3 is also sourced from organic lichen, not lanolin.

The only other ingredient besides the actual vitamin D is organic extra virgin olive oil. This gives additional health benefits and contributes to better cardiovascular health for your baby!

With one drop, your baby will get 400 IU of vitamin D3. This is the daily recommended dosage for any baby.

This comes with a dropper for easy and accurate dosage, and the 0.37 fl oz bottle will last for about a year.

Pros

• Not recommended to directly drop on the mouth
• You have to drop it on the skin or mix it with formula

Upspring Baby Vitamin D Drops

300 Reviews

UpSpring Baby Vitamin D3 Drops for Infants, 9.13mL 400 IU Concentrated Dye-Free D3 Supplement Babies and Toddlers, 365 Day Supply, Liquid Vitamin D for Babies, Easy to Use Squeeze Bottle Dropper

EASY TO USE: Easy to use squeeze bottle delivers The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended daily amount of vitamin D in a single, small NATURAL VITAMIN D3 NON-GMO: Contains only vitamin D3 and fractionated coconut oil free of flavor, dye, stain, sugar, and GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE, LACTOSE-FREE AND SOY-FREE: UpSpring Baby D is natural, gluten free and non-GMO FROM BIRTH TO ONE YEAR OLD: Our baby vitamin d drops for infants can be used from newborn to one year old$12.99

Easy to use dropper easy to dose The only 2 ingredients are all-natural Vitamin D and coconut oil Nothing artificial added Since there is no flavor, it is easy to give to baby without spit-up Recommended by pediatricians

Product Overview

This is another great choice in baby Vitamin D supplements. There is nothing artificial added, and no flavoring makes it super-easy to give to baby either plain or added to any beverage.Ideal for either breast-fed or formula-fed infants.

One more thing to love about this product unlike some of the other drops, if it spills at all it will not stain.On the dosage: The dosage on this Vitamin D product is slightly different it is .2 mL, and it is easy to do with the dropper clearly marked on the side for exactly the right amount.

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Childlife Organic Vitamin D3 Drops

127 Reviews

Child Life Organic Vitamin D3 Liquid, Natural Berry, .338 Fluid Ounce Gluten free, alcohol free, casein free, GMO free Great tasting natural berry flavor Give directly or mix with your childs favorite drinkBuy on Amazon

No gluten, alcohol and GMO-free

Product Overview

Right off the bat, I can tell you my favorite thing about this product it has the word organic in it.

Like two of the previous choices on this list, one dose is simply one drop. However, be aware that the ingredients are slightly different rather than using coconut oil, this product uses organic olive oil as a mixer for the Vitamin D.

Personal note on this product: From studying up on the Childlife drops, I have found a couple of things that I want to mention the word natural is not clarified. In other words, what actually is in the natural flavoring? Also, since it does not say 100% organic it might not be considering the flavoring issue. Something to keep in mind.

One more thing in the reviews I see a number of complaints about the dropper, and that getting exactly one drop is not the easiest thing to do.

But the real test would be how good is it? If you try it and your baby loves it and you find it easy to use then, great! It still is far and above other baby vitamins with so much artificial stuff added!

More On Sun Exposure And Vitamin D

Exposure to the sun is the best way to produce vitamin D in your body. This is why this vitamin is known as the Sunshine Vitamin! When your skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun, it triggers a chemical reaction that converts vitamin D into an active form that your body can use.

Many people are aware of the role that vitamin D plays in maintaining strong bones and maintaining a healthy immune system, but few realize that this nutrient is produced by the body in response to exposure to the sun.

While it is true that too much sun can lead to skin damage and even skin cancer, the risks are far lower than many people believe. Especially when using sunscreen.

And, when it comes to vitamin D production, a little exposure to the sun goes a long way. Just 10-15 minutes of sun on your face and arms two or three times per week is all you need to maintain adequate levels of this important nutrient.

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How Will I Know If My Baby Needs Vitamin D Drops

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , all infants should receive a vitamin D supplement unless they are consuming more than 27 ounces of infant formula per day.

This means that all breastfed babies should receive a vitamin D supplement. Unless you are combo feeding, in which case you would need to determine how many ounces of formula they are taking a day.

Supplements For Babies At Risk Of Deficiency

If your baby is at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, talk to a health professional such as your doctor, midwife or dietitian. Your doctor can prescribe a vitamin D supplement that comes in drops.

Drops can either be:

• put on your nipple before your baby latches on
• given directly into your babys mouth using a dropper.

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Is It Possible To Take In Too Much Vitamin D

In short, yes vitamin D toxicity is a risk, albeit an uncommon one. There are ultimately three ways your body can take in vitamin D: diet, supplements, and the vitamin D your skin produces when exposed to the sun. You’re unlikely to get too much vitamin D from diet and sunlight alone, because your body has mechanisms for balancing things out.

“Your body is an excellent vitamin regulator so it’s pretty hard to overdose on vitamin D from foods,” Danahy said. “Adults would need to eat about 4 ounces of salmon or 14 eggs every day to even slightly exceed the recommended amount from foods.” You also can’t get too much vitamin D from sun exposure your body will simply produce less of it if you’re taking in enough from other sources.

So, supplementation is the most likely way you could take in more vitamin D than your body can use. Excessive supplementation can cause vitamin D toxicity, which can lead to a buildup of calcium in your blood, called hypercalcemia.

According to Dr. Swarup, symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include frequent urination, nausea, weakness, and vomiting. If allowed to progress, vitamin D toxicity can cause bone pain, kidney problems, and calcium stones. For this reason, medical professionals advise having your vitamin D levels checked by a blood test before you start taking supplements to see if you are deficient or insufficient.

If your vitamin D levels are already normal, no need to supplement it could potentially cause more harm than good.