Babies should be given vitamin D to protect against the bone-crippling condition rickets, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Even babies who are fed breast milk, which is the best nutrition source for babies, may need vitamin D, especially when they are not exposed to sunlight, which is a natural source of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is added to all U.S. infant formulas, however according to the AAP, if the child drinks less than 17 ounces of formula each day they also need extra vitamin D.

It is also recommended that children and teens who do not drink 17 ounces of vitamin-d-fortified milk each day receive vitamin D supplements.

According to researchers, vitamin D supplementation of 200 International Units (IU) a day should begin within the first two months of life. Reportedly, giving the baby a few drops of the supplement before nursing is sufficient.

Researchers say that shifts in society have changed breast milk so that it no longer provides enough of the vitamin. For instance, early humans likely had better suited skin for their environment that allowed them to spend more time in the sun, which would generate lots of vitamin D, without worries of skin cancer.

Today, however, humans live in areas where their skin doesn’t match their environment and depletion of the ozone has made it necessary for humans to protect themselves from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Using sunscreen for sun protection also prevents the skin from using sunlight to make vitamin D.

Rickets, which causes abnormal bone formation that can result in bow legs, knock knees and spinal curvature, among breastfeeding infants was more common in African American children. The pigment that darkens African American skin may act as a natural sunscreen, putting infants at a greater risk of developing vitamin D deficiency.

Supplementing a mother’s diet with vitamin D will not solve the problem because the amount needed for the infant would be close to the toxic levels in the mother.

Researchers noted that breastfeeding is still encouraged as numerous studies have found that it provides benefits such as higher IQ and a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome, diabetes and chronic digestive diseases to infants.

Pediatrics April, 2003;111:908-910

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

I have several concerns about this study. The first and most important one is that it is wrong. While most children would benefit from an external source of vitamin D, some clearly do not. We are designed to make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sun. If the breastfeeding child receives regular sun exposure on their skin it is absolutely unnecessary to provide supplemental vitamin D. Not only is this unnecessary, it may be toxic. There is a reverse effect that can happen with vitamin D--if you overdose, it causes the same effect as not having enough and unfortunately there are no symptoms when one overdoses. However, the majority of breastfeeding babies do require supplemental vitamin D. This certainly includes most of children in the winter, late fall and early spring, especially if they have deeply pigmented skin as that serves as a filter for the beneficial UV rays from the sun that cause the body to produce vitamin D. Most of you know by now that I do not recommend vitamin D drops. The best way to obtain vitamin D is through cod liver oil, which was the original way rickets was prevented in the United States. Not only will cod liver oil provide vitamin D, but also the even more important omega-3 fats. I use Carlson fish oil and cod liver oil and highly recommend this brand. It is purified to the highest standards, free of chemical modification and processing. If you can’t find it in your local health food store, you can order it conveniently in our online store. However, please be aware that in the United States spring is the time of year when most babies can receive adequate sunshine on their skin. Remember, sun exposure is a far superior way to receive vitamin D than cod liver oil. However, you can still provide fish oil, which does not contain vitamin D, to your child to give him or her numerous health benefits. The dose of fish oil or cod liver oil is 1 ml for every 10 pounds of body weight (1 teaspoon equals 5 ml). Related Articles: Breast-Fed Babies Need Vitamin D Vitamin D Urged for Breastfed, Dark-Skinned Infants Vitamin D Is Not A Vitamin But A Steroid Hormone Precursor