Vitamin D Supplement for baby

[TnT10]

Yay or nay J16?!

We went for our 1 week appointment today and the doctor recommended it but said it's not required. I know that it's recommended for babies in the more northern states, but babies can't really get in the sun a whole lot at this stage. I am breast-feeding and supplementing as needed, and I'm on the fence about doing the supplement or not.

I polled my J14 mamas and they are split on those that used it/ didn't use it. I EP for DD for 5 1/2 weeks in the winter and then FF after that and never used it with her. I can't decide.... haaaalp!

[Ray]

If it can't do any harm id say why not

[TnT10]

Jul 7, 2016 18:17:03 GMT -5 Ray said:

If it can't do any harm id say why not

That's kind of what I'm thinking but it almost seems that it really isn't necessary based on what I've researched. I just thought I'd see what other mamas thought!

[katelou]

I did, although I probably only remembered to give her the drops 50% of the time. My pedi recommended a brand from Whole Foods where it was just 1 drop a day ... I guess others require more.

IMO when all else fails ask Kellymom.com - it's very pro-BFing but also very evidence-based. It's rather conflicted though, and says it partially depends on whether mom has a Vit D deficiency, which is super common.
kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamins/

[rungirlrun]

I did it with DS bc the ped recommended it (plus he was a Sept baby in a northern state and my Vit D levels are always a little low). I also breastfed and took Vit D. Even though I now live in a super sunny state, I'll probably do the same this time around.

[cabbagecabbage]

New studies say breastfed babies get it through mom, so I won't but only because I'd forget. I bought it last time but forgot to use it most of the time and dd didn't ever take a bottle so I couldn't hide it and she fought. I've heard good things about Carlsons drops vs. Tri-vi-sol.

[ellebelle]

We used poly-vi-sol with DD at first and then I switched to Carlson's. They were much easier (and didn't stain!). I just would drop some on my nipple right before I latched her on. We will probably do the same thing again this time.

[housecarder]

Is this just for BF babies? I don't remember ever doing this for my LOs.

[cabbagecabbage]

Jul 7, 2016 19:09:41 GMT -5 housecarder said:

Is this just for BF babies? I don't remember ever doing this for my LOs.

I was told they recommend vitamin D for all newborns and infants when DD was born.

[housecarder]

Jul 7, 2016 19:17:27 GMT -5 cabbagecabbage said:

Jul 7, 2016 19:09:41 GMT -5 housecarder said:

Is this just for BF babies? I don't remember ever doing this for my LOs.

I was told they recommend vitamin D for all newborns and infants when DD was born.

Weird. My pediatrician never brought it up with any of my kids.

[melody330]

Jul 7, 2016 19:09:41 GMT -5 housecarder said:

Is this just for BF babies? I don't remember ever doing this for my LOs.

My Pedi only recommended it for BFing babies. Funny how everyone gets a different opinion!

That being said, we did last time with ds but only remember like half the time. I'm probably not going to this time. DS was a January baby and I felt like we never got outside when he was little

[Susan0utLoud]

We live in WA state and did them with ds when we was breastfed. On formula, he didn't need them. Then when we switched to cows milk, we were told by pedi to add them again. We still do give him the drops in a cup or bottle each morning. Dd, has been on formula from day one, so no drops until she switches to cows milk.

[cabbagecabbage]

Jul 7, 2016 19:20:38 GMT -5 housecarder said:

Jul 7, 2016 19:17:27 GMT -5 cabbagecabbage said:

I was told they recommend vitamin D for all newborns and infants when DD was born.

Weird. My pediatrician never brought it up with any of my kids.

Well, I hated my first pediatrician who said it, so I wouldn't be shocked if he made bad recommendations.

[katelou]

housecarder, I don't know this for sure but my guess is that formula has Vitamin D added already.

[roccobabyk]

Our pedi recommended it but I usually forgot to give them to DD. I have also heard that formula contains Vitamin D so the drops aren't necessary.

[rungirlrun]

Jul 7, 2016 19:26:46 GMT -5 Susan0utLoud said:

We live in WA state and did them with ds when we was breastfed. On formula, he didn't need them. Then when we switched to cows milk, we were told by pedi to add them again. We still do give him the drops in a cup or bottle each morning. Dd, has been on formula from day one, so no drops until she switches to cows milk.

Doesn't cow milk have Vit D added in? I know the kind we buy does. I never heard to supplement with cow milk. Interesting how this differs amongst pediatricians!

[Susan0utLoud]

Jul 7, 2016 19:48:56 GMT -5 rungirlrun said:

Jul 7, 2016 19:26:46 GMT -5 Susan0utLoud said:

We live in WA state and did them with ds when we was breastfed. On formula, he didn't need them. Then when we switched to cows milk, we were told by pedi to add them again. We still do give him the drops in a cup or bottle each morning. Dd, has been on formula from day one, so no drops until she switches to cows milk.

Doesn't cow milk have Vit D added in? I know the kind we buy does. I never heard to supplement with cow milk. Interesting how this differs amongst pediatricians!

Maybe it's because we live in the land of rain and gray skies? It is strange that there are so many different recommendations.

[madamewaffles]

Jul 7, 2016 19:48:56 GMT -5 rungirlrun said:

Jul 7, 2016 19:26:46 GMT -5 Susan0utLoud said:

We live in WA state and did them with ds when we was breastfed. On formula, he didn't need them. Then when we switched to cows milk, we were told by pedi to add them again. We still do give him the drops in a cup or bottle each morning. Dd, has been on formula from day one, so no drops until she switches to cows milk.

Doesn't cow milk have Vit D added in? I know the kind we buy does. I never heard to supplement with cow milk. Interesting how this differs amongst pediatricians!

Most cows milk is fortified with Vit D but the absorption rate is abysmal. Actually most absorption rates from Vitamin D are abysmal as it is better absorbed transdermally vs. ingested. But some is better than none, especially those of us in the Northern states! It is best to take it with a fat rich food such as a scoop of ice cream (for adults, not the bebehs, lol)

[littlesthobo]

With DS my doctor recommended it (just put a drop on my nipple before BFing) but when I switched him to formula I didn't bother because it's in the formula.

[rungirlrun]

Jul 7, 2016 20:13:21 GMT -5 madamewaffles said:

Jul 7, 2016 19:48:56 GMT -5 rungirlrun said:

Doesn't cow milk have Vit D added in? I know the kind we buy does. I never heard to supplement with cow milk. Interesting how this differs amongst pediatricians!

Most cows milk is fortified with Vit D but the absorption rate is abysmal. Actually most absorption rates from Vitamin D are abysmal as it is better absorbed transdermally vs. ingested. But some is better than none, especially those of us in the Northern states! It is best to take it with a fat rich food such as a scoop of ice cream (for adults, not the bebehs, lol)

Yeah I know getting the real deal is better (I feel like most vitamins are just expensive pee), but I was shocked to find out that I'm Vit D deficient when I had 1st tri blood work done. I live where the sun always shines and I'm out with DS almost everyday. I am super careful with sunscreen though so maybe that affects it. But I will take your post as an invitation to have ice cream everyday with my Vit D :-)

[TnT10]

Sorry I did a post and run, rude! I actually totally forgot that I had a deficiency last year when I stated seeing an endocrinologist, so I think I will go ahead with it. Has anyone used the uppababy brand? I have coupons for that so was going to try it.

[tootsie]

I didn't with DD1 and don't plan on it with DD2, even if I EBF again. My pedi never mentioned it the first time around so we'll see if the new pedi says anything this time. I do live in a Southern state with tons of sun, so maybe that's why.

This is pretty tin foil hat-ish, but I honestly think it's... not necessarily a scam, but it is interesting that these drops are predominantly made by formula companies. Gotta get some money out of breastfeeding moms too, ya know.

And I have never, ever heard of a baby getting rickets in my life.

[sarcaztic10]

I know I have a Vit D deficiency so I will probably do them this time around. With L I remember having the drops and remembering to use them occasionally but I stopped completely when we switched to formula.