01/22/2026
Most pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that breastfed babies get supplemental vitamin D (400 IU). This is recommended because breastmilk is naturally low in Vitamin D (Wagner & Greer, 2008) and most infants are not exposed to enough sunlight to produce vitamin D themselves. A lack of vitamin D can cause a condition called nutritional rickets. Research finds that 400 IU of Vitamin D is associated with greater concentrations of Vitamin D in infants (Lin et al., 2022; Ruangkit et al., 2022)
Yet, only 20% of breastfed babies in the United States follow these guidelines (Simon & Ahrens, 2020). This may because is difficult to remember or difficult to administer a supplement to an infants, or because parents are nervous about giving any supplement to an infant.
But there is a great research-backed solution to this problem that many parents may not be aware of! Research finds that when breastfeeding mothers take a high dose Vitamin D supplement themselves (6400 IU) increased infants’ blood levels of Vitamin D to an adequqte level (that is, they had the same levels of Vitamin D as the infants who took a 400 IU Vitamin D supplement) (Hollis et al., 2015). Further research found that most mothers (88%) prefer supplementing themselves rather than giving vitamin D to their baby (Umaretiya, et al., 2017).
This approach has the benefits of making sure the breastfeeding mother also avoids a Vitamin D deficiency herself. It also is easier for the mother to take a Vitamin D pill than administering a liquid Vitamin D supplement to an infant. It also removes possible dangers of Vitamin D overdose in an infant (see Ketha, Wadams, Lteif, & Singh, 2015). However, you should consult with your doctor before trying this yourself!
TRANSLATION:Vitamin D supplementation is important for breastfed infants in order to avoid a Vitamin D deficiency. If you do not want to give your baby a supplement, breastfeeding mothers can ask their doctor about taking a 6400 IU Vitamin D supplement themselves.
All information provided by Parenting Translator Foundation — parentingtranslator.org
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