Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, and all little ones need it in the early days of life to ensure healthy bone and teeth development. Unfortunately, some children do not get enough of the nutrient, resulting in deficiencies and developmental delays or hardships. You can ensure your child gets enough support with organic vitamin D drops, but only if needed. Consult a pediatrician to learn if and when you should start your little one on vitamin D supplements.
Recommended Timing for Administering Vitamin D Drops
While not every baby will need vitamin D drops, you can often find them in a baby bundle set because they are essential to breastfed babies. Breastfed babies do not usually get enough of the nutrient from breastmilk alone. Formula-fed babies typically do get enough because formulas are fortified with the vitamin. If you feed your child a mix of breast milk and formula, they may still need supplementation to ensure they get enough of the crucial nutrient.
Most medical professionals recommend starting supplementation within the first week or two of life. You can give the vitamin again when your child is around four months old. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving your little one 400 IU of vitamin D daily during the first few days after birth.
Giving the supplement is straightforward. You can either mix it into a bottle or you can give it to your little one directly. The best method depends on your little one and your feedings.
Factors To Consider
Not every child will need a vitamin D fruit supplement. If you breastfeed your baby or provide a mix of breast milk and formula, you will likely need to give them a supplement. Also, if your child is born with a deficiency or their diet is not providing adequate nutrient support, a pediatrician may recommend supplementation.
The primary consideration is your child’s diet. A medical or dietary professional is more capable of explaining your child’s specific needs. A pediatrician may want to perform several blood tests if your little one displays signs of nutritional deficits, like excessive lethargy. Bloodwork is often the best way to tell if a child is getting enough nutritional support from their diet.
If the mother suffers from nutritional deficits during pregnancy, it can also affect the health of the child. A pediatrician or OBGYN can often discuss any consequences of nutritional deficits with parents and explain the best way to counter any significant issues.
It is vital to talk with a medical professional before starting your child on any vitamin D supplements. Too much vitamin D can cause health problems. Only give your little one supplemental support when it is actually a necessity.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, and it is crucial that your little one gets enough of it. If your baby receives formula as its primary source of nourishment, it likely gets enough of the nutrient. However, if you breastfeed your baby, supplementation is probably necessary. Talk to a pediatrician to learn more.
