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The Vitamin D Content in Breast Milk: A Closer Look
Breast milk is widely recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, providing essential nutrients that support growth and development. However, one critical nutrient that is notably lacking in breast milk is vitamin D. This deficiency has significant implications for the health of breastfed infants, prompting recommendations for supplementation.
Limited Vitamin D in Breast Milk
Research indicates that human breast milk contains only a small amount of vitamin D—approximately 20 IU per liter. This level is insufficient to meet the daily vitamin D requirements for infants, especially during their first year of life. The Institute of Medicine recommends that infants receive a daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D, which means that exclusively breastfed infants are likely to receive less than 20% of this recommended amount from breast milk alone.
The vitamin D content in breast milk can vary significantly based on the mother’s vitamin D status. Women who are vitamin D-deficient produce milk with even lower levels of this essential nutrient. This situation is concerning, as many breastfeeding women may not have adequate vitamin D levels, particularly if they have limited sun exposure or dietary intake.
Recommendations for Supplementation
Given the limited supply of vitamin D in breast milk, health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend that breastfed infants receive vitamin D supplements. This is particularly important because adequate sunlight exposure, which is a natural source of vitamin D, can be inconsistent and may increase the risk of skin cancer.
The CDC advises that breastfed infants should start receiving a daily supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D shortly after birth to ensure they meet their nutritional needs. This supplementation is crucial for preventing conditions such as rickets, which can arise from vitamin D deficiency.
Maternal Supplementation as an Alternative
An alternative strategy to ensure adequate vitamin D levels in breast milk is through maternal supplementation. Studies have shown that when breastfeeding mothers take higher doses of vitamin D (up to 6400 IU per day), their breast milk can provide sufficient vitamin D to meet the needs of their nursing infants. This approach not only benefits the infant but also helps improve the mother’s vitamin D status.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk is the most nutritious food for infants, it is notably low in vitamin D. This deficiency necessitates the recommendation for vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants to support their health and development. Additionally, maternal supplementation presents a viable option to enhance the vitamin D content in breast milk, ensuring that infants receive adequate nutrition during their critical early months.
Should you never give breastfed babies vitamin D?
While breast milk is the best source of nutrients for babies, it likely won’t give them enough vitamin D. Too little vitamin D can cause a softening and weakening of bones called rickets.
Do babies get vitamin D through breast milk?
The newborn human infant who is solely breastfed can only acquire vitamin D through direct dietary supplementation, direct sun exposure, and/or ingestion of breast milk.
What vitamins are in breast milk?
Human milk provides the normative standard for infant nutrition. Nevertheless, many micronutrients vary in human milk depending on maternal diet and body stores (see article in this issue by Valentine and Wagner, 2012), including vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, and iodine.
Can breastfed babies get rickets?
Unless they receive vitamin supplements, breast-fed dark-skinned infants are at risk for rickets.
What vitamins are low in breastfeeding mothers?
Your vitamin B12 requirements increase while breastfeeding. If you’re deficient, it might affect the quality of your breast milk and affect your baby’s levels — this can affect their brain development. If you don’t eat meat or dairy, you’re at higher risk of a vitamin B12 deficiency.
What if I forgot to give my baby vitamin D drops?
Give your baby the supplement when you remember – but don’t give more than one dose a day. Do not give extra to make up for missed days. * This is a public health recommendation for healthy infants.
