What vitamins are missing from breast milk?

Understanding the Nutritional Gaps in Breast Milk
Breast milk is often hailed as the ideal source of nutrition for infants, providing a perfect blend of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients. However, despite its many benefits, research indicates that breast milk does have some nutritional shortcomings, particularly concerning certain vitamins and minerals.
Key Vitamins Lacking in Breast Milk
1. Vitamin D: One of the most significant deficiencies in breast milk is vitamin D. This vitamin is crucial for bone health and immune function. Studies show that breast milk typically contains insufficient levels of vitamin D to meet an infant’s needs, especially if the mother has low levels herself. Consequently, health organizations recommend that breastfed infants receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms.
2. Iodine: Another nutrient often found in low quantities in breast milk is iodine. Iodine is essential for thyroid function and cognitive development. Insufficient iodine levels in breast milk can lead to developmental issues in infants, making it important for breastfeeding mothers to ensure adequate iodine intake.
3. Iron: While breast milk contains iron, the levels are relatively low compared to the needs of growing infants. Iron is vital for the development of red blood cells and overall growth. As infants grow, especially after six months, they may require additional iron sources, as breast milk alone may not suffice.
4. Vitamin K: Breast milk is also low in vitamin K, which plays a critical role in blood clotting. Newborns are typically given a vitamin K injection shortly after birth to prevent bleeding disorders, as their natural stores are low and breast milk does not provide enough.
5. B Vitamins: Certain B vitamins, particularly B-6 and B-12, can also be present in lower concentrations in breast milk, depending on the mother’s diet. These vitamins are essential for energy metabolism and neurological function. A deficiency in these vitamins can contribute to growth stunting in infants.
The Role of Maternal Nutrition
The nutritional content of breast milk is heavily influenced by the mother’s diet. If a breastfeeding mother consumes a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, the quality of her milk can improve. However, deficiencies in the mother’s diet can lead to lower concentrations of these critical nutrients in her milk, highlighting the importance of maternal nutrition during lactation.
Conclusion
While breast milk is an exceptional source of nutrition for infants, it is not without its limitations. Key vitamins such as vitamin D, iodine, iron, vitamin K, and certain B vitamins may be lacking, necessitating supplementation for breastfed infants. Awareness of these gaps can help parents and healthcare providers ensure that infants receive the comprehensive nutrition they need for healthy growth and development.

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency while breastfeeding?

by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM. Infants with vitamin B12 deficiency due to low vitamin B12 in their mothers’ breastmilk may present with abnormal movements such as tremulousness, tics, and involuntary muscle contractions.

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.

What nutrients is milk missing?

Also noteworthy – Milk is very low in these 8 nutrients:

• Vitamin E – 0.1mg – 1%
• Vitamin K – 0.5mcg – 1%
• Niacin – 0.3mg – 1%
• Sodium – 97.6mg – 4%
• Vitamin B6 – 0.1mg – 4%
• Folate – 12.2mcg – 3%
• Iron – 0.1mg – 0%
• Copper – 0.0mg – 1%

What vitamins does breast milk lack?

vitamin D
Breast milk alone does not provide infants with enough vitamin D. Shortly after birth, most breastfed infants will need an additional source of vitamin D through a supplement.

What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency in babies?

Symptoms and signs of vitamin B12 deficiency appear between 2 to 12 months and include vomiting, lethargy, failure to thrive, hypotonia, and arrest or regression of developmental skills. Treatment with vitamin B12 corrects these metabolic abnormalities very rapidly within a few days.

What vitamins are most deficient in breast milk?

Dietary deficiencies of vitamin B12 and vitamin D during pregnancy and lactation may result in health problems in exclusively breastfed infants. Vitamin-B12 deficiency in these infants results in irritability, anorexia and failure to thrive during the first 4-8 months of life.

Which vitamins are absent in milk?

Complete answer:
The vitamin that is not present in milk is Vitamin C . Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid (AA) or ascorbate. In many multicellular organisms, it acts as an essential nutrient that is required for the repair of worn-out tissues, and enzyme-based synthesis of neurotransmitters.

What vitamins should I avoid when breastfeeding?

AVOID dose of vitamin A above 700-800 mcg/day and vitamin B6 above 20-50 mg/day. Iodine can concentrate in breastmilk so do not take levels in excess of 100% RDA. There are no studies on the safety of high dose intra-venous (IV) vitamin drips in breastfeeding mothers.

What are the symptoms of low magnesium while breastfeeding?

HOW CAN PREGNANT AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN RECOGNISE A MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY?

• Muscle cramps.
• Muscle spasms.
• Tension.

What vitamins does breastfeeding deplete?

Some breastfeeding mothers may not be able to absorb various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, folic acid (vitamin B9), iron, and calcium.