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In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests all infants, breastfed or not, take a vitamin D supplement within the first days of life to prevent vitamin D deficiency or rickets. Exclusively breastfed infants will also require an iron supplement after four months, because the iron is not enough at this point from the breast milk. [2]
Vitamins that are most likely to need supplementing Vitamin D “Liquid vitamin D is necessary for breastfed infants,” says Hurley, making note of one of the earliest supplemental needs for kids.
Thereafter, exclusive breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first six months of life before the introduction of supplementary feeding. [65] Exclusively breastfed infants can only take oral rehydration solution, vitamins and minerals, and prescribed medications. [65]
Infants who exclusively breastfeed need a vitamin D supplement, especially if they have dark skin or have minimal sun exposure. [51] The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all breastfed infants receive 400 international units (IU) per day of oral vitamin D. [ 51 ]
New parents who choose to breastfeed will find plenty of barriers to starting and even more to continuing breastfeeding. While about 83% of babies have been breastfed at least once in their first ...
Both the AAP [33] and the NHS recommend vitamin D supplementation for breastfed infants. [31] Vitamin D can be synthesised by the infant via exposure to sunlight; however, many infants are deficient due to being kept indoors or living in areas with insufficient sunlight. Formula is supplemented with vitamin D for this reason. [31] [33]
Breastfed infants have somewhat lower blood pressure later in life, but it is unclear how much practical benefit this provides. [185] [186] A 1998 study suggested that breastfed babies have a better chance of good dental health than formula-fed infants because of the developmental effects of breastfeeding on the oral cavity and airway.
The medical community recommends exclusively breastfeeding infants for 6 months, with nutritional whole food supplementation and continued breastfeeding up to 2 years or older for overall optimal health outcomes. [139] [140] [141] Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as giving an infant only breast milk for six months as a source of food and ...