Babies, Parenting, Child Health, Infant Nutrition

Baby Nutrition – The Best Vitamin D Supplements for Babies and Children

20.10.2008 | 5:55:59 pm | Posted by admin

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

The new American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)’ recommendation, that vitamin D intake for infants and children be doubled, has undoubtedly sent parents scrambling for more information. The AAP went on to explain that new required daily amount of 400 IU may require supplementation, particularly for breastfed babies, as that amount would be difficult for babies and children to obtain from the diet.

organic baby food, baby development Vitamin D not only builds strong bones and teeth, but new evidence is finding that ample vitamin D intake during childhood can help prevent a range of adult diseases from osteoporosis to immune system deficiencies. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D can be made from exposure to sunlight. However, babies and children often don’t spend enough time in the sun, especially not without sun block, to help provide enough vitamin D to meet their needs. Breastfed babies are the most at risk population of infants for vitamin D deficiency.

About Vitamin D Supplements
In nature, vitamin D is found in 2 different forms, noting that vitamin D itself is actually inactive until it is metabolized into active forms. Plants metabolize D2, or ergocalciferol, with the help of UV light. The much more absorbable and bioactive form for humans is D3, or cholecalciferol. Sparing a lesson in chemistry, the difference between these two forms of the vitamin is key to choosing a vitamin D supplement. Although it is well known that D3 or ergocalciferol is the most absorbable form, some supplement manufacturers manufacture D2 because it is less expensive.

When choosing a supplement, it is important to make sure it is in the proper form- D3. Because vitamin D is fat soluble and abundant is the cells of animals and fish, if you are a vegetarian you should discus find an appropriate source of vitamin D that does not contain any animal products with your healthcare provider.

baby nutrition, parenting The Best Vitamin D Supplements
To give parents a starting point if supplementation is necessary for your child, here is a list of some of the best vitamin D supplements on the market for infants and children. Please be sure to consult your pediatrician or health care practioner before giving supplements to your child.

Carlson Baby Vitamin D Drops (gluten free)
Country Life Maxi Baby Care (gluten free and also provides other vitamins and minerals)
D-vi-sol
Rainbow Light Sunny Gummy Vitamin D (for older children)
World Organic Corp Liquid Vitamin D

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The Baby Mum-Mum blog discusses everything to do with babies and parenting with a focus on child health and child development. Baby Mum-Mum is a healthy, easy to digest baby rice snack that is enjoyed by babies and mothers around the world for its portability, gluten free ingredients and great taste.

Announcement:

On February 22, the FDA issued letters relating to labelling to 22 food companies, including several baby food manufacturers. We were advised by the FDA that we are not permitted to print the statements "Low in Fat" or "No added fat or oils" on our Baby Mum-Mum packaging.

Although these statements are true and each serving of Baby Mum-Mum does not contain any fat, the FDA has brought to our attention that these claims are technically not allowed on our packaging solely because the product is intended for consumption by infants and children under 4 years of age.

In the future, these claims will be removed from our packaging.

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