Just a few short months ago, Mum Mum’s reported that low vitamin D levels in pregnant women resulted in increased cavities in their babies. It seems the vitamin D levels remain insufficient during breastfeeding as well; so much so that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced a new recommendation doubling the vitamin D requirements for breastfed babies.
The AAP is now recommending an infant’s vitamin D intake be increased from 200 IU to 400
IU daily. Starting as early as the first 2 months of life, the new vitamin D recommendations also pertain to all babies, children, and adolescents. A clinical report of the new vitamin D requirements is available in a downloadable PDF format on the AAP’s website.
What is the reason behind the vast increase in vitamin D intake? As AAP nutrition committee chair Dr. Frank Greer explains: "we are doubling the recommended amount of vitamin D children need each day because evidence has shown this could have life-long health benefits." In addition, Dr. Greer goes on to explain that supplementation will be necessary as it is unlikely infants and children will be able to get the recommended amount solely through diet.
Physicians on the AAP’s Breastfeeding Executive Committee reiterate that low vitamin D intake in maternal diets are bound to affect the amount of vitamin D in breast milk thus the importance of supplementation. The AAP still maintains that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for babies, but since the exact vitamin D requirements for both a lactating woman and a breast fed baby remain unknown supplements are needed.
Vitamin D prevents the development of rickets as well as provides treatment for the bone-softening disease which usually peaks in babies between 3 and 18 months. Rickets has also been found in older children and adolescents across the globe. Ample vitamin D intake in childhood has also been found to reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Recent studies have discovered vitamin D provides a wealth of health benefits including maintaining a healthy immune system and the prevention of a range of autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and cancers.
Tags: breastfeeding
