How much vitamin D does a baby get from breast milk?

Understanding Vitamin D in Breast Milk
Vitamin D is crucial for a baby’s healthy bone development and overall well-being. However, the amount of vitamin D that a baby receives from breast milk is often insufficient to meet their needs. Research indicates that breast milk typically contains only 5 to 80 IU of vitamin D per liter. This concentration is significantly lower than the recommended daily intake for infants, which is 400 IU.
The Role of Maternal Vitamin D Levels
The vitamin D content in breast milk is directly influenced by the mother’s vitamin D levels. Studies show that breast milk levels of vitamin D are about 10 to 20% of maternal blood levels. Therefore, if a mother has low vitamin D levels, her breast milk will also be low in this essential nutrient. Conversely, as a mother’s vitamin D levels increase—due to factors like increased sunlight exposure or dietary intake—the vitamin D content in her milk also rises.
Recommendations for Supplementation
Given that breast milk alone does not provide adequate vitamin D, health organizations recommend that exclusively breastfed infants receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 8.5 to 10 mcg (or 340 to 400 IU). This supplementation is particularly important for infants who are not receiving any formula, as formula is typically fortified with vitamin D.
Conclusion
In summary, while breast milk is the best source of nutrition for infants, it does not provide sufficient vitamin D on its own. To ensure that babies receive the necessary amount for healthy development, especially in the absence of formula, daily vitamin D supplementation is essential. This proactive approach helps prevent conditions like rickets and supports overall immune function in infants.

Do babies get enough vitamin D from breast milk?

“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.”

How common are rickets in breastfed babies?

Nutritional rickets is not rare in the United States and Taiwan, and 70% to 90% of children with nutritional rickets are exclusively breastfed without vitamin D supplementation.

Do newborns really need vitamin D drops?

All children need vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. Children younger than 12 months old need 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Children 12 to 24 months old need 600 IU of vitamin D each day.

How much vitamin D do I need postpartum?

This recommendation remains the same in the Fourth Trimester and beyond so long as mama is supplementing baby with 400 IU directly. If not, mama needs at least 6,400 IU to cover needs for both herself and baby.

What food is highest in vitamin D?

The best food sources of vitamin D are oily fish, including salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Other sources include egg yolks, red meat, and liver. Vitamin D is added to some foods too, including breakfast cereals, plant milks and fat spreads. Check information on-pack to see if this applies to the products you buy.

Is one glass of milk a day enough vitamin D?

Drink Milk
One of our favorite ways to get vitamin D is through drinking a glass of cold milk! Cow’s milk is well-known for being one of the best food sources for vitamin D – one cup of a2 Milk® Whole gives you 120 IUs, or 15% of your daily recommended intake.

Can you get vitamin D through a window?

The short answer is no. Glass blocks 95 per cent of UVB rays, which means sun exposure through a window won’t trigger vitamin D production. This matters for your health. Vitamin D is a pro-hormone — a molecule the body turns into a hormone required for calcium absorption.

What if I forgot to give my breastfed baby vitamin D?

Your baby should be fine. It is best practice to give them vitamin D, but the human did manage to survive before the vitamin D drops even existed. Your little one is at a bit of an increased risk for some things, but the risk is still pretty small. You know now and she will get them now.

How much vitamin D is in an 8 oz glass of whole milk?

How much vitamin D does milk have? Each serving of milk fortified with vitamin D has at least 100 IU (or 2.5 mcg) per 8 oz serving (roughly one cup).

Does my baby really need vitamin D drops?

All children need vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. Children younger than 12 months old need 400 IU of vitamin D each day. Children 12 to 24 months old need 600 IU of vitamin D each day.