Does my breastfed baby need Vitamin D supplements?
- Alex Kelly
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
I get this question A LOT. And please keep in mind while I work with a ton of doctors, I am not one and this is not medical advice.
I feel like this is a debated topic in the “crunchy” world, and I’m sure there are many who would disagree with me. I always open different perspectives in a kind and respectful manner. I think we all have something to learn from one another.
Personally, I would - and especially now entering the winter months. But that doesn’t mean if you don’t that’s wrong. Every family and lifestyle is different.
The CDC recommends 400 IU Vitamin D daily for breast-fed and combo fed babies. This is because human breastmilk many times is not a rich source of Vitamin D.
I like the way Dr. Green Mom puts it: “this is not thought to be a flaw in breastmilk, but rather a reflection of the fact that modern mothers often have insufficient Vitamin D levels due to reduced sun exposure and dietary factors.” The recommended 400 IU is to address this gap.
However…
There IS research that found when breastfeeding mothers took 6,400 IU of Vitamin D daily that their breastfed babies achieved sufficient levels without the need for additional drops.(PMID: 26416936). Most moms are not achieving this from diet or pre/postnatals alone.
Additionally, in theory, sunlight COULD provide enough Vitamin D for baby. But, in practice, for most people this is going to be extremely difficult.
For a mom living in Hawaii and outside 10+ hours a day, eating nothing but organically grown meat, veggies, and fruits, I could see the argument of not needing to supplement. But this is not most people’s reality.
VITAMIN D I LIKE
For exclusively breastfed babies I LOVE this one, because it’s a thicker liquid. So you can easily put a single drop on your finger and swipe into baby’s mouth. Keep in mind it will be a higher dose. If you want to get closer to the 400 IU you’d have to do 1/2 drop which may be a tad more difficult to do. But this is what our pediatrician recommended, and recommended one drop a day.
We also love Mary Ruth for all ages. If you combo feed, this one is really easy to drop into bottles.
Here's another:
And keep in mind just because it’s listed 6mo+ doesn’t mean you can’t use it younger. Read more about that here:
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