Do I need to take vitamin D when breastfeeding?

It is not necessary to take Vitamin D while you are breastfeeding. However, you may be advised to continue taking vitamin D if you remain at risk of deficiency. Vitamin D is contained in many prenatal and breastfeeding supplements but if required, the overall dose of vitamin D should be checked with your doctor.

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What happens if you don't take vitamin D while breastfeeding?

Health benefits of vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential to your newborn's health. Babies who don't get enough vitamin D can develop Rickets. Rickets is a disease that softens your bones. Young children who don't have enough vitamin D can end up with bowed legs as they grow, delays in crawling and walking, and soft skulls.

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Do you need to supplement vitamin D with breast milk?

Do infants get enough vitamin D from breast milk? Breast milk alone does not provide infants with an adequate amount of vitamin D. Shortly after birth, most infants will need an additional source of vitamin D.

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How much vitamin D should breastfeeding mothers take?

Current Recommendations and Their Limitations

The current recommendation for maternal vitamin D intake while breastfeeding is 400 to 600 IU per day, yet data suggest that supplementing the mother with this amount does little to increase the vitamin D content of her milk (Hollis et al, 2015).

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Why do breastfeeding mothers need more vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a key nutrient in the maintenance of bone health in children and adults. It helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

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Why Is Vitamin D Important for Breastfeeding Moms?

19 related questions found

Can I take vitamin D tablets while breastfeeding?

Various studies have shown that maternal supplementation does increase the vitamin D levels in breast milk high enough to prevent deficiencies in children. However, questions remain about whether 400 IU a day is enough. Both of those studies included dosages of at least 6,000 IU (150 mcg) a day.

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What are the signs you need vitamin D?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include:
  • Fatigue.
  • Not sleeping well.
  • Bone pain or achiness.
  • Depression or feelings of sadness.
  • Hair loss.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Getting sick more easily.

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What are the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in babies?

If they do, common symptoms are muscle weakness or cramps, bone pain, feeling tired or being depressed. Vitamin D deficiency can cause babies and children to get rickets. Rickets is a disease that causes thin, weak and deformed bones.

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What vitamins do I need while breastfeeding?

  • Maternal Diet.
  • Iodine.
  • Iron.
  • Vitamin B12.
  • Vitamin D.
  • Vitamin K.

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Is it too late to give my baby vitamin D?

Once your baby is six months old, and up until they are five years, daily vitamin A, C and D supplements are recommended (unless they're having 500ml or more of first infant formula each day).

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Is it OK not to take vitamins while breastfeeding?

If you eat a reasonably-well balanced diet, vitamin supplements are not considered necessary for breastfeeding mothers. This is even true for mothers who are eating for three during tandem nursing, or while breastfeeding during pregnancy (see Nutrition for mom in our Nursing During Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing FAQ).

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What happens if you breastfeed and don't take vitamins?

In most cases, moms don't need to take vitamins, although they aren't likely to hurt your baby. Some mommies take vitamin D to ensure that their babies are getting enough of this essential nutrient for healthy bones.

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Can I take vitamin D and calcium while breastfeeding?

For you – Both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding adult females require an estimated 600 international units (15 micrograms) per day of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important to allow you to absorb calcium and maintain healthy bones.

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What foods to avoid while breast feeding?

What foods and drinks should I limit or avoid while breastfeeding?
  • Alcohol. There's no level of alcohol in breast milk that's considered safe for a baby. ...
  • Caffeine. Avoid drinking more than 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of caffeinated drinks a day. ...
  • Fish. Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

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What foods are highest in vitamin D?

The best sources are the flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils. Smaller amounts are found in egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver. Certain mushrooms contain some vitamin D2; in addition some commercially sold mushrooms contain higher amounts of D2 due to intentionally being exposed to high amounts of ultraviolet light.

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Can lack of vitamin D make baby fussy?

From the causes and signs of vitamin D deficiency in children, children often cry at night, often signaling to parents that children are deficient in vitamin D.

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Can lack of vitamin D make baby sleepy?

Children with vitamin D deficiency had less total sleep time (470.3 minutes ± 35.6 vs 420.3 minutes ± 61.7; P = . 004) and poorer sleep efficiency (91.9% ± 5.6% vs 84.5% ± 9.5%; P = . 015) compared with children with sufficient vitamin D.

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How can I check my vitamin D levels at home?

Use the CVS Health At Home Vitamin D Test Kit to get accurate and comprehensive results in the privacy and comfort of your own home. Simply collect your blood sample using this convenient kit, mail it to the lab, and receive your results through a secure online portal in just a few days.

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What happens if you take vitamin D without deficiency?

Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart. If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.

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How can I check vitamin D levels?

A vitamin D test is a blood test. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out.

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What foods are high in vitamin D for breastfeeding?

Vitamin D is found in certain foods (including oily fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel; red meat; and some breakfast cereals) but it's hard to get enough from food alone.

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What foods are high in vitamin D for breastfeeding mothers?

Good food sources of vitamin D include fortified low-fat or fat-free milk, fortified orange juice, egg yolks, and salmon. Experts recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women get 600 international units of vitamin D daily.

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How long after drinking coffee can I breastfeed?

Feed your baby before you take in any caffeine. Then, wait at least three hours before breastfeeding again. This should give your system enough time to process the caffeine and avoid spreading it through breast milk. Reduce your caffeine consumption to one cup of coffee per day.

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Can I drink a Coke while breastfeeding?

A recent study finds that consuming too many sugary drinks can negatively impact an infant's cognitive development. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid or cut back on juice, soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages.

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