Email
PrintVitamin D crucial for breastfed babies
I have a new baby and the CLSC nurse told me that because I am breastfeeding, I should be giving my baby Vitamin D. Can you explain why this is necessary?
Babies need vitamin D for healthy growth and development. In particular, it helps them build strong, healthy bones and teeth, and reduces the risk of developing rickets, a disease that causes abnormal bone development. Vitamin D can also help prevent certain illnesses in childhood or later in life.
Vitamin D is available from two main sources:
Food: In Canada, cow’s milk and margarine are fortified with vitamin D, which means it’s added during production. As well, some foods, such as salmon, tuna, liver and kidney are good sources of vitamin D.
Sunlight: Vitamin D is produced in the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. However, since Canada is located so far north, there isn’t enough sunlight in certain areas, particularly in the winter, to ensure adequate production. As well, sunscreen and clothing, which protect babies from the harmful effects of the sun, also prevent vitamin D’s production.
Babies are most at risk of vitamin D deficiency if:
• They are exclusively breastfed.
• Their mothers are vitamin D deficient.
• They are not exposed to enough sunlight.
• They have darker skin.
• They live in northern communities.
Fortunately, vitamin D deficiency can be prevented by giving a daily supplement (drops) to babies. Amounts depend on the risk factors. For example, babies in northern communities (north of 55° latitude, which is about the level of Edmonton) or who have other risk factors (such as dark skin) should get 800 IU (international units) per day between October and April, when there is less sunlight.
Breast milk doesn’t have sufficient vitamin D
Breast milk is the best nutrition that you can offer your growing baby. It also provides antibodies and other immune factors that protect against infectious diseases. For the first 6 months of life, breast milk is all your baby requires. Even when your baby starts eating solid foods, you can continue to breastfeed until 2 years of age and beyond.
However, breast milk has only small amounts of vitamin D (4 to 40 IU per litre). That’s why all babies in Canada who are breastfed should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D, usually 400 IU, from birth until they get enough from other sources in their diet. Although your own diet may include some foods that are good sources of vitamin D, that won’t provide enough to enrich your breast milk to the level that your baby requires.
If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether you should be taking a supplement yourself.
Since vitamin D is already added to infant formula, most full-term babies who are formula-fed don’t need a supplement if they are taking a litre (33oz) of formula daily.
Dr. Denis Leduc is a general pediatrician in the Montreal area. He is a Past President of the Canadian Pediatric Society. For more information on your child’s growth and development, visit www.caringforkids.cps.ca or www.soinsdenosenfants.cps.ca.
