Risk Factors For Vitamin D Deficiency In Infants:
Risk Factor #1: Low maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy
An infants level of vitamin D is initially influenced by their mothers vitamin D status during pregnancy. If the mothers level is low, this can increase the infants risk of vitamin D deficiency at birth, putting them at a heightened risk for preterm birth, low birth weight, and decreased bone mineralization.19 Research indicates that long-term bone development and respiratory health may also be impacted.20
Receiving adequate amounts of vitamin D during pregnancy can help ensure that infants are born with sufficient levels of vitamin D.19 Link to The Importance of Vitamin D during Pregnancy for more information. However, for various reasons, supplementation during pregnancy often does not occur. If this is the case, rest assured that infants can obtain sufficient vitamin D levels through supplementation after birth.21
Risk Factor #2: No direct sun exposure
Exposure of the skin to UVB rays from sunlight can provide adequate amounts of vitamin D, see link to An Introduction to Vitamin D. However, to protect an infant from UV radiation damage, the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines advise parents to keep infants younger than 6 months of age out of direct sunlight.22 Although these guidelines provide important safety precautions, they prevent younger infants from being exposed to a potent driver of vitamin D synthesis. As a result, this increases an infants risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Can I Give My Baby Anything To Help Sleep
Starting at a young age, keep your little one calm at night with a soothing, calm sleep routine. Make sure the room is warm before going in. Alternatively, consider adding the act of massage to your daily routine . Taking action can prevent nap-inducing behaviors and signs of sleepiness in your baby. Rock, breastfeed, and read your baby.
What Are The Best Sources Of Vitamin D
Unfortunately, few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D. A three-ounce serving of salmon contains all the vitamin D kids need in a day, but the same serving of canned tuna has less than half. Eggs contain a small amount of vitamin D but kids would need to eat about 10 a day to meet their daily needs. Mushrooms naturally contain vitamin D and some are treated with UV light to boost the vitamin content .
Fortified foods like milk, yogurt, cereal, and orange juice may seem like a more manageable way to help your child get his daily D. A cup of fortified cow’s milk contains about 130 IU of vitamin D a cup of fortified orange juice has 142 IU. Check the labels on the cereal and yogurt you buy to see if they’re fortified.
Luckily, children can also get vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, because the sun converts a chemical in the skin to an active form of D. According to the AAP, even if kids wear sunscreen , many will get enough sunlight in their day-to-day lives to produce enough D.
That being said, Dr. Gaither says children can safely get vitamin D through supplementation . Vitamin D supplements are readily available and inexpensive to buy. They may be especially necessary if you live in a cloudy climate, have long winters and aren’t outside very much, or if you feel like your child’s diet is lacking in D. Ask your pediatrician for more information.
Recommended Reading: What Moisturizer To Use With Vitamin C Serum
If You’re Tired Of Waking Up Feeling Less Than Spectacular Vitamin D Can Help
Getting a good night’s rest sounds simple, but more than a third of American adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. By now you probably know that avoiding blue light and screens before bed, sleeping in a dark and cool room, and creating a wind-down routine can all improve your sleep, and according to experts, vitamin D may also improve your sleep quality.
Bump Up Your Vitamin D Receptors
Remember those vitamin D receptors that we talked about? They are mostly found in your brain, your heart, your digestive tract, and your reproductive organs.
A vitamin D receptor allows your body to use vitamin D.
Cruciferous vegetables also contain a compound that helps you use vitamin D. This compound is called sulforaphane, and youll find it in spicy herbs and pungent, cruciferous plants.
Such as:
- Cabbage
- Kale
Fortunately, many of these vegetables are delicious when they are fermented. You can support your bodys ability to use vitamin D by including raw and fermented cruciferous vegetables in every meal.
Recommended Reading: What’s The Best Children’s Vitamins
Why Do Breastfed Babies Need A Vitamin D Supplement
Breast milk is the best food you can offer your growing baby. Even when your baby starts eating other foods, you can continue to breastfeed until 2 years of age and beyond.
But breast milk only has small amounts of vitamin D , which may not be enough to meet your babys needs. Babies who are breastfed should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D from birth until they get enough from their diet.
What Can I Give My Baby To Sleep At Night
Consider these tips: Follow a consistent, calming bedtime routine. Overstimulation in the evening can make it difficult for your baby to settle to sleep. Put your baby to bed drowsy, but awake. Give your baby time to settle down. Consider a pacifier. Keep nighttime care low-key. Respect your babys preferences.
Also Check: What Is The Best Vitamin C Serum For Face
Benefits Of Vitamin D For Babies
As a parent, you want to make sure your little one is getting proper nourishment and nutrition. That includes vitamin D, a very important nutrient for babies. As breast milk alone doesnât provide enough vitamin D for babies, breastfed infants and those who are partially breastfed will need vitamin D supplementation to help boost immunity, build healthy and strong bones, and prevent diseases like rickets. Weâve got all the details on the benefits of vitamin D for babies and how much your newborn needs.
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?
Recommended Reading: Is There Vitamin D In Almond Milk
Why Babies Need Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps us to build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
Our bodies can make vitamin D from the sun. But babies cannot safely get the vitamin D they need from the sun.
Your baby needs vitamin D because:
- their skin is very sensitive to the sun and should not be in direct sunlight
- their food may not have enough vitamin D in it
- between 0 to 12 months babies grow very quickly and have a greater need for vitamin D to form strong bones
Research shows that vitamin D plays an important role in helping the immune system. It may help prevent diabetes, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, MS and some forms of cancer.
African, Afro-Caribbean, Middle-Eastern or Indian parents are more likely to have babies with low levels of vitamin D.
How To Use Vitamin D Drops For Your Baby
Of course, it isnât possible or safe for your baby to swallow a pill for vitamin D! Instead, your baby will get a liquid version of this nutrient. Using vitamin D drops for newborn babies is quite simpleâall you need is the liquid supplement and the dropper that comes with it. Hereâs what to do:
Read the directions carefully. Always start by reviewing the amount of vitamin D to give your baby and following the directions on how to measure and administer the appropriate dose. Be sure not to exceed the recommended dose.
Release the liquid into your babyâs mouth. To administer vitamin D drops for your baby, release the liquid onto the tongue or sides of the mouth. Donât put the drops into your babyâs throatâthis could cause discomfort and even lead to coughing or choking.
Vitamin D drops are handy for wriggly babies, and particularly helpful when caring for premature babies or fussy teething babies.
Recommended Reading: Can Vitamin C Boost Immune System
Does My Child Have Vitamin D Deficiency
Want to know your kid’s vitamin D levels? You can ask your doctor to check them, but you can also get results in the comfort of your own home. “I’m a fan of testing vitamin D at home, especially now during the pandemic when we need to limit visits to the doctor that are not urgent,” says Dr. Gaither. “Your vitamin D blood level needs to be between 40-60 ng/ml and the only way to know that is to test your levels. A simple finger-prick vitamin D test kit is an easy way to discover how much vitamin D supplementation you need.”
Vitamin D Supplementation Can Help Support Respiratory Health In Infants
In addition to musculoskeletal difficulties, insufficient vitamin D can also affect an infants developing immune system, placing them at a heightened risk of respiratory complications, flu, and allergies.8 Particularly concerning for infants, research shows that low levels of vitamin D are associated with respiratory tract issues that can potentially lead to chronic complications throughout life.911
However, research also suggests that vitamin D supplementation can help support respiratory health. For example, supplementing infants with vitamin D has been found to help reduce wheezing and promote normal, healthy respiratory tract functions.1214 Supplementation has also been found to limit the incidence of common allergies, such as eggs and peanuts.1214
You May Like: What Vitamins Should I Take Daily For Weight Loss
What Medicine Can You Give A Baby To Help Them Sleep
In light of the lack of approved drugs for promoting sleep in infants and young children, there is no evidence to suggest they can be effective. As there are no formally tested drugs specifically approved for children with sleep disorders, the use of these drugs may have no supporting documentation.
Can Vitamin D Help My Baby Sleep Better Sleepy Angels
tipwww.sleepyangelsconsultancy.com
242 People Used
Useful News
Human Papillomavirus Prevalence in Oropharyngeal Cancer Before Vaccine Introduction, United StatesYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
lingualtonsils
Tardive DyskinesiaYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
lingualtonguetongue
Tonsil CancerYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
tonsiltonsilslingualtonsilstonsilsTonsil
Scott LaFee: UC Irvine Study Shows Benefits for Those Taught NappingYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
lingualtonsiltonguetonsilstonsil
What to know about palatine tonsilsYour browser indicates if you’ve visited this link
lingualtonsilstongue
You May Like: How Much Is 1 000 Mg Of Vitamin C
Why Is Vitamin D Important For Infants
- In addition to its well-known benefits for bone and muscle health, vitamin D can help regulate babies immune and respiratory function
- Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in infants include limited sun exposure, low maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy, and breastfeeding
- Experts recommend that infants receive vitamin D supplementation beginning shortly after birth
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent amongst infants, and estimated to affect between 2.7% to 45% of infants worldwide.15 Many factors contribute to the incidence of vitamin D deficiency, including limited sun exposure, dietary intake, where an individual lives, seasonal variation, darker skin pigmentation, and more.1618
Vitamin D For Babies Why Is It Necessary
- The main role of vitamin D in infants lies in helping good calcium absorption in the body and promoting bone development and growth in children.
- Vitamin D deficiency leads to Rickets and lack of muscle tone.
- When the calcium absorption in an infants body is low, he may also suffer from hypocalcemia and seizures.
- In younger children, the lack of calcium from the diet is one of the common causes of Vitamin D deficiency leading to bowed legs, knock-knees and rickets.
Also read: 12 Necessary Vitamins That A Breastfeeding Mother Should Not Avoid!
Read Also: How Often To Apply Vitamin C Serum
Health Benefits Of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential to your newborns health. Babies who dont get enough vitamin D can develop Rickets. Rickets is a disease that softens your bones. Young children who dont have enough vitamin D can end up with bowed legs as they grow, delays in crawling and walking, and soft skulls. In recent years, rickets has become more and more of a problem in young children. Doctors are trying to combat this by recommending vitamin D drops.
How To Use Baby Vitamin D3
Take vitamin D by mouth as directed. Vitamin D is best absorbed when taken after a meal but may be taken with or without food. Alfacalcidol is usually taken with food. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take as directed by your doctor. Your dosage is based on your medical condition, amount of sun exposure, diet, age, and response to treatment.
If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
If you are taking the chewable tablet or wafers, chew the medication thoroughly before swallowing. Do not swallow whole wafers.
If you are taking the rapidly-dissolving tablets, dry your hands before handling the medication. Place each dose on the tongue, allow it to dissolve completely, and then swallow it with saliva or water. You do not need to take this medication with water.
Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin D. Take your doses of these medications as far as possible from your doses of vitamin D . It may be easiest to take vitamin D at bedtime if you are also taking these other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should wait between doses and for help finding a dosing schedule that will work with all your medications.
You May Like: What Does Vitamin D Do To You
What Role Does Vitamin D Play In The Body
Although vitamin is in the name, vitamin D isn’t actually a vitamin, Monisha Bhanote, MD, FCAP, founder and CEO of Integrative Medicine, told POPSUGAR. “It’s a hormone that is mostly produced in the skin in response to sun exposure ,” Dr. Bhanote, explained. It’s also possible for vitamin D to be absorbed through food , she continued.
Vitamin D is most known for its ability to aid in calcium absorption which helps keep your bones strong, Nicole Avena, PhD, assistant professor of neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, told POPSUGAR. It also supports a healthy immune system, brain and nervous system health, cardiovascular health, respiratory health, mental health, bone health, and can influence the expression of genes involved in cancer, both explained.
A lack of vitamin D in the body can lead to weakness and softness of the bones , diabetes, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, decreased mental health, and higher feelings of depression, according to Dr. Avena.
When To Give Babies Vitamin D Drops
Your baby can start taking vitamin D drops soon after birth. Most likely, your childâs health visitor will recommend the standard amount, which is 8.5 to 10 micrograms daily of vitamin D for babies under 1 year, and 10 micrograms daily for those over 1 year. But once your baby can start getting vitamin D from other food sources , you may be able to reduce the amount they receive by drops.
Every newborn, baby, and child is different, so although there is a recommended dose of vitamin D for babies, itâs always best to check with your childâs midwife or health visitor. Most babies need the standard dose, while others may need more, and some may need to supplement for longer than others.
Read Also: What Vitamins Are For Bones
What Do You Do When Your Baby Wont Sleep At Night
Make sure your baby enjoys playing in the sun . In natural light they reset their internal clock. When you cant get outside, place your babys crib or bed near a window which has a steady, bright light that will come out when you want to sleep. Sleeping while driving and other sleep-inducing activities are discouraged, if at all possible.
