Feeding FAQ: 6-9 months – Breast Feeding

Question – Do breast-fed babies need extra vitamin D?

My eight–month–old daughter is still breast–feeding, and I have heard that babies can get low in vitamin D. Why is this is a problem for breast–fed babies but not those on formula? What should I do about it?

Answer:

That is a really important question. There is growing concern among experts about low vitamin D levels in young children in Western countries, but little information has filtered down to mothers. It is particularly common in some ethnic groups with darker skin, in babies who are exclusively breast–fed without taking vitamin supplements, and in breast–fed babies whose mothers did not take vitamin D while pregnant. Vitamin D is crucial for a number of processes in the body, including bone formation. Experts are worried that the incidence of rickets, a bone abnormality caused by vitamin D deficiency, is increasing in children. There are also scientific studies indicating that having poor vitamin D levels as a young child may lead to lower bone mass as children grow up.

Breast milk does not contain much vitamin D so six months after birth – if your baby is breast–feeding rather than having formula – it is recommended that you give vitamin D supplements. The obvious way for you to do this is by giving the drops containing vitamins A, C and D that are recommended by UK Health Visitors. The reason they are not needed by babies drinking formula is that infant formulas contain added vitamin D, so long as babies are taking at least 500 mls (17 to 18 oz) of formula a day, vitamin drops are not needed. We also get some vitamin D from our food; the best sources are margarine, which contains added vitamin D, and oil–rich fish such as salmon and mackerel. However food generally provides only 20-30% of our needs – the rest is made in our skin when exposed to sunlight. Because of this, you may also want to expose your daughter to some gentle sunlight (taking care to protect against sunburn).

While you are thinking about vitamin supplements for your daughter, please note that vitamin D supplements are also recommended for breast–feeding women. I would suggest taking it as part of a multivitamin supplement – you could ask your local pharmacist for advice.