Providing Vitamin D in Infant Vitamin Supplements

While it may be difficult to believe that babies in the United States could be at risk of a serious vitamin deficiency, the reality is that a large majority of them are at risk and could benefit from infant vitamin supplements. Vitamin D deficiency has become a health crisis among both breastfed and formula fed babies.

In fact, the numbers are rather startling. According to the CDC, only one in five formula-fed babies and one in 20 breastfed babies are getting enough vitamin D in their diets. These numbers have prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to double their recommended daily intake of the vitamin for infants and children from 200 to 400 IUs per day. Just as surprising, only a small portion of these babies who are at risk are receiving infant vitamin supplements.

Vitamin D deficiency is a serious problem because it can lead to a bone-weakening disorder called rickets. This condition can cause a variety of problems including stunted growth, broken bones, and bow legs in children. Babies in cold climates and those who have darker skin are also more prone to getting rickets because they are not getting enough exposure to sunlight to produce the necessary vitamin D that the body requires. Some recent studies have also suggested that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of respiratory infection and type 1 diabetes in children.

Non-existent in the United States for many decades, rickets is making a comeback primarily with breast-fed babies who are not receiving enough vitamin D in breast milk. Formula-fed babies who consume less than a liter of formula per day are also at risk. Fortunately, there is a simple solution - adding infant vitamin supplements.

When looking for the best infant vitamins for a possible vitamin D deficiency in your child, it’s a good idea to choose a natural supplement that provides the complementary nutrients that are optimal for maximum absorption and utilization. For example, Animal Parade Vitamin D3 200 IU Liquid Drops features natural flavoring and 50% of the daily value for vitamin D in each drop. This product is also gluten-free and 100% natural.

Infant vitamin supplements are a simple solution for preventing a serious condition. With more parents aware of the risks of vitamin D deficiency, the use of these supplements will hopefully increase and the cases of rickets, a completely preventable condition, can be avoided.