Vitamin D - Miami Beach,FL

We give out daughter vitamin D. I haven't noticed much of a difference in her other than she seems to kick illnesses a little quicker. My husband is a chiropractor and reads all of this stuff too. I am a huge skeptic though of most of it, something that frustrates him. :) But, we have tried different things with her and have never seen any harm from any of it.

Most authorities do not recommend giving a vitamin or mineral in isolation - they just don't work. The American Medical Association recommended a balanced comprehensive supplement in liquid form. If you are taking one, that should be enough for your child unless there is a huge problem you haven't mentioned. There is a lot of attention to Vitamin D because of all the sunscreens as well as increased indoor activities (with kids in front of video games, etc.). But that doesn't sound like it's the issue with a 6 month old! I think it's odd that the pedi recommended just Vitamin D when it's very well documented that nutrients have to be given in a balanced and synergistic way. Most doctors say that children's vitamins are a waste of money.

Your fine K.! I can't imagine ANYONE in Miami being vitamin D deficient. Ten or 15 minutes of sunshine a day is all she needs!

God bless!

M.

K.,
Here is a link to a seminar by Michael Holick, MD, PhD of Boston University School of Medicine--probably the leading authority on Vitamin D. It is a little long but he is an entertaining speaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq1t9WqOD-0&feature=share
vitamindhealth.org
Most children's vitamins are no good and sometimes harmful If you would like to know the one I recommend, let me know.

Give her 35 IUs per pound. My 9 month old daughter has been on it since she was born. I give her 800 IUs a day. I only do about half of that in the summer time when she is in the sun alot.

I have breastfed since day one and still do at 28 months old. My son started drinking organic soy milk in addition around 10 months old and is a great eater, particularly of fish and other proteins.

I started giving a multi vitamin around 18 months old. Haven't really worried too much about vitamin intake as there's no signs of deficiency.

Apparently pediatricians are supposed to recommend vitamin D supplements now. I have a 4 month old and was told to give her some at her 2 month visit. I asked why since my 3 year old didn't have to and the Dr. said new studies (seems like there is a new study every year) recommends vitamin D now for infants on up. What freaked me out is you give the same dosage to your 2 month old that you would a 5 year old. That doesn't make any sense to me since the only way you can get vitamin D toxicity is through supplements. We opted to spend more time in the sun as we did with our first. If your Dr. is like ours be prepared to get a dirty look when he/she asks you if you are giving them and if your answer is no =)

You don't need more Vitamin D. They say 15 minutes a day in the sun (w/ no sunscreen) gives you all the vitamin D you need. Plus, if you are breastfeeding, are you still on your pre-natal vitamins? I took mine from conception till I weaned my son off the breast, ensuring that he got the best milk possible. I bet you and your son are fine w/o the extra D.

This is where his recommendation probably came from - The American Academy of Pediatrics:

http://www.aap.org/family/vitdpatients.htm

It is still your choice. I've known plenty of breastfed babies that didn't get the supplement that didn't live anywhere near as sunny as Miami Beach that were just fine!

I live in Phoenix with plenty of sun and I've never had to do that for my little ones. It was recommended, when they are older, to have them in the sun without sunscreen for 30 minutes a day. I've been doing that and it helps a lot. My kids are all older though, but I do it a little bit for my 1 year old, too.