Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Does my baby need a vitamin D supplement? Answers from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. It depends on whether you breast-feed your baby or how much vitamin D-fortified formula or cow's milk your baby is drinking. Consider these guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine for vitamin D for babies: If you're breast-feeding or partially breast-feeding your baby, give your baby 400 international units (IU) of liquid vitamin D a day — starting in the first few days after birth. Continue giving your baby vitamin D until you wean your baby and he or she drinks 32 ounces (about 1 liter) a day of vitamin D-fortified formula or, after age 12 months, whole cow's milk. If you're feeding your baby less than 32 ounces (about 1 liter) a day of vitamin D-fortified formula, give your baby 400 IU of liquid vitamin D a day — starting in the first few days after birth.
Continue giving your baby vitamin D until he or she drinks at least 32 ounces (about 1 liter) a day. While breast milk is the best source of nutrients for babies, it likely won't provide enough vitamin D. Your baby needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Too little vitamin D can cause rickets, a softening and weakening of bones. Since sun exposure — an important source of vitamin D — isn't recommended for babies younger than 6 months, supplements are the best way to prevent vitamin D deficiency in infants. As your baby gets older and you add solid foods to his or her diet, you can help your baby meet the daily vitamin D requirement by providing foods that contain vitamin D — such as oily fish, eggs and fortified foods. Keep in mind, however, that most babies won't consistently eat these foods during their first year. When giving your baby liquid vitamin D, make sure you don't exceed the recommended amount. Carefully read the instructions that come with the supplement and use only the dropper that's provided.
Chewable and gummy vitamins that contain vitamin D are available for older children. If you have questions about your baby's need for vitamin D supplements, consult your baby's doctor. You might also ask your baby's doctor about vitamin D recommendations for older children. Some guidelines suggest increasing vitamin D to 600 IU a day at age 1 and beyond. Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. Tummy timeWhat's causing my infant's diarrhea? Evaluation, treatment and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Chevy Chase, Md.: Endocrine Society. Accessed March 4, 2014. Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Institute of Medicine. Holt K, et al. Bright Futures Nutrition. 3rd ed. Elk Grove, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; Wagner CL, et al. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children and adolescents. Perrine CG, et al. Adherence to vitamin D recommendations among US infants. Casey CF, et al. Vitamin D supplementation in infants, children, and adolescents.
Infant overdose risk with liquid vitamin D. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ward LM, et al. Vitamin D-deficiency rickets among children in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal. See more Expert Answers Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineThe Mayo Clinic CookbookMayo Clinic on Alzheimer's DiseaseControlling High Blood PressureMayo Clinic on Digestive Health Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info Diseases and Conditions A-Z Tests and Procedures A-Z Drugs and Supplements A-Z Patient and Visitor GuideFor a better experience on Facebook, switch to our basic site or update your browser.Security CheckCan't read the text above?Try another text or an audio CAPTCHAText in the box:What's this?You will be able to get free vitamins if you are pregnant in Scotland from April 2017.
These are to help you and your baby stay healthy during your pregnancy. The vitamins will be given to you by your midwife and they contain: You should get these at an appointment when you are between 6 - 10 weeks pregnant. Find out more about what these vitamins do for you and your baby on the NHS Choices website. You may be eligible to get free vitamins as part of the Healthy Start scheme when you are pregnant. You may also get vitamins for your children if they are aged 6 months to aged 4. The Healthy Start vitamins are: Find out whether you are entitled to the Healthy Start vitamins on the GOV.UK website.Printer friendly version (opens new window) Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help you to get most the vitamins and minerals you need. There are some vitamins and minerals that are especially important. It is best to get vitamins and minerals from the food you eat, but when you are pregnant you will need to take some supplements as well to make sure you get everything you need.
It's recommended that you take: Do not take vitamin A supplements, or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol), as too much could harm your baby. You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or your GP may be able to prescribe them for you. If you want to get your folic acid or vitamin D from a multivitamin tablet, make sure that the tablet does not contain vitamin A (or retinol). Folic acid is important for pregnancy as it can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. You should take a 400 microgram folic acid tablet every day while you are trying to get pregnant and until you are 12 weeks pregnant. If you didn't take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. You should also eat foods that contain folic acid, such as green leafy vegetables and brown rice. Some breakfast cereals, breads and margarines have folic acid added to them. Some women have an increased risk of having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect, and are advised to take a higher dose of 5 milligrams (5mg) of folic acid each day until they are 12 weeks pregnant.
Women have an increased risk if they: In addition, women who are taking anti-epileptic medication should consult their GP for advice, as they may also need to take a higher dose of folic acid. If any of the above applies to you, talk to your GP as they can prescribe a higher dose of folic acid. Your GP or midwife may also recommend additional screening tests during your pregnancy. Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, these are needed to keep bones and teeth healthy. You need to take vitamin D during your pregnancy to provide your baby with enough vitamin D for the first few months of its life. You should take a supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day when you are pregnant and if you breastfeed. In children, not having enough vitamin D can cause their bones to soften and can lead to rickets (a disease that affects bone development in children). Vitamin D can be found naturally in oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel and sardines), eggs and meat.
Some manufacturers add it to some breakfast cereals, soya products and dairy products. The best source of vitamin D is summer sunlight on your skin. The amount of time you need in the sun to make enough vitamin D is different for every person, and depends on things like skin type, the time of day and time of year. But you don't need to sunbathe: the amount of sun you need to make enough vitamin D is less than the amount that causes tanning or burning. If you have dark skin or always cover your skin, you may be at particular risk of vitamin D deficiency. Talk to your midwife or doctor if this applies to you. If you are short of iron, you’ll probably get very tired and may suffer from anaemia. Lean meat, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit and nuts contain iron. If you'd like to eat peanuts or foods that contain peanuts (such as peanut butter) during pregnancy, you can do so as part of a healthy balanced diet unless you're allergic to them or your health professional advises you not to.
Many breakfast cereals have iron added. If the iron level in your blood becomes low, your GP or midwife will advise you to take iron supplements. Vitamin C protects cells and helps keep them healthy. A balanced diet containing fruit and vegetables, including broccoli, citrus fruits, tomatoes, bell peppers, and blackcurrants, can provide all the vitamin C you need. Calcium is vital for making your baby's bones and teeth. Dairy products and fish with edible bones – such as sardines – are rich in calcium. Breakfast cereals, dried fruit – such as figs and apricots – bread, almonds, tofu (a vegetable protein made from soya beans) and green leafy vegetables – such as watercress, broccoli and curly kale – are other good sources of calcium. You also need to know which foods to avoid. A varied and balanced vegetarian diet should give enough nutrients for you and your baby during pregnancy. However, you might find it hard to get enough iron and vitamin B12. Talk to your midwife or doctor about how to make sure you are getting enough of these important nutrients.
If you are vegan (ie you cut out all animal products from your diet), or you follow another type of restricted diet because of food intolerance (eg a gluten free diet for coeliac disease) or for religious reasons, talk to your midwife or GP. Ask to be referred to a dietitian for advice on how to make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need for you and your baby. The Healthy Start scheme provides vouchers to pregnant women who qualify and families who qualify. The vouchers can be used to buy milk and plain fresh and frozen vegetables at local shops. You'll also get coupons that can be exchanged for free vitamins locally. Healthy Start vitamin tablets for women are specially designed for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and contain vitamins C and D and folic acid. Healthy Start children's vitamin drops are for infants aged from six months to five years old, and contain vitamins A, C and D. If you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme you can swap your coupons for free vitamins locally – just ask your midwife or health visitor where they are accepted in your area.