What happens if you dont take vitamin D while breastfeeding?

The Importance of Vitamin D During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for infants, providing essential nutrients and antibodies that support healthy growth and development. However, one critical nutrient that often falls short in breast milk is vitamin D. This vitamin plays a vital role in bone health and overall well-being, making its presence particularly important for breastfeeding mothers and their infants.
Consequences of Vitamin D Deficiency
If a breastfeeding mother does not take vitamin D supplements, her breast milk may not contain sufficient levels of this nutrient to meet the needs of her exclusively breastfed infant. Research indicates that even with maternal supplementation, the concentrations of vitamin D in breast milk can be inadequate to fulfill the daily requirements of infants. This deficiency can lead to serious health issues, including rickets, a condition characterized by weakened bones and skeletal deformities in children.
Rickets is primarily caused by a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate, and it can result in long-term complications if not addressed early. Infants who are exclusively breastfed without adequate vitamin D supplementation are at a higher risk of developing this condition, particularly in regions with limited sunlight exposure.
Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers
Health organizations recommend that breastfeeding mothers take vitamin D supplements to ensure both their health and that of their infants. The typical recommendation is for mothers to supplement with vitamin D2 or D3 in doses ranging from 10 to 50 mcg (400 to 2,000 IU) daily. This supplementation not only helps maintain the mother’s vitamin D levels but also increases the vitamin D content in her milk, thereby providing the infant with necessary nutrients.
Moreover, while there is no established upper limit for vitamin D dosing during breastfeeding, caution is advised. Excessive doses can lead to hypercalcemia in infants, a condition characterized by elevated calcium levels in the blood, which can have serious health implications.
Conclusion
In summary, neglecting vitamin D supplementation while breastfeeding can have significant repercussions for both mother and child. The potential for vitamin D deficiency to lead to rickets and other health issues underscores the importance of ensuring adequate intake of this essential nutrient. For breastfeeding mothers, consulting with healthcare providers about appropriate vitamin D supplementation is crucial to safeguard their health and that of their infants.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in breastfed babies?

If they do, common symptoms are muscle weakness or cramps, bone pain, feeling tired or being depressed. Vitamin D deficiency can cause babies and children to get rickets. Rickets is a disease that causes thin, weak and deformed bones.

How long does breastfed baby need vitamin D?

Young children should still have vitamin drops, even if they get out in the sun. The Department of Health and Social Care recommends: Babies from birth to 1 year of age who are being breastfed should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D to make sure they get enough.

What happens if you don’t give a breastfed baby 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. The sun is a good source of vitamin D.

What are the side effects of vitamin D for babies?

For partially breastfed infants or formula-fed infants who do not drink 1 liter of formula each day, the doctor may prescribe a much smaller dose. Too much vitamin D can cause nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, joint pain, confusion, and fatigue.

What happens if I keep forgetting to give my baby vitamin D?

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.

Do breastfeeding moms need to take vitamin D?

We need vitamin D for optimal calcium absorption, a key part of maintaining strong bones and a healthy immune system. The NHS recommends breastfeeding mothers take vitamin D supplements for their own health, as well as their baby’s — vitamin D can be passed to our baby through our breast milk.

What are signs of low vitamin D?

What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?

• Muscle pain.
• Bone pain.
• Increased sensitivity to pain.
• A tingly, “pins-and-needles” sensation in the hands or feet.
• Muscle weakness in body parts near the trunk of the body, such as the upper arms or thighs.
• Waddling while walking, due to muscle weakness in the hips or legs.

Is it too late to start vitamin D drops for babies?

These should generally be given from a dropper that provides 400 IU each day from a single dropper. Begin the drops in the first week or two of life. Then, at 4 months of age (sooner if a baby is born at less than about 5 1/2 pounds), make sure the drops have both vitamin D and iron.

What happens to babies with vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D is required to maintain blood calcium and bone health. The consequences of vitamin D deficiency in infancy classically manifest as soft malformed bones (rickets), seizures due to low blood calcium and difficulty breathing (35-40).

Can I skip vitamin D drops for baby?

The AAP recommends that infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow s milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified infant formula. Once your child begins drinking at least a quart of vitamin D-fortified milk after 12 months of age, he/she does not need additional vitamin D drops or a tablet.