As a new parent, you have a lot on your plate. Your top priority is doing what is best for your baby, and keeping him or her healthy is probably on the top of your mind. In order to prevent illnesses, it is important to keep your baby’s immune system strong. If you are wondering how to improve baby immunity, one of the best things you can do is supplement with vitamin D. This vitamin is beneficial for many things, and immunity is one of them. However, you do not want to purchase just any vitamin D supplement off the shelf. Make sure you choose a high-quality one that is good for your little one.
Information About Vitamin D and Babies
Vitamin D is crucial to build immunity, and its other benefits include better bone health and brain development in young children. Experts recommend that babies get 400 IU of vitamin D every day. If you are feeding your baby formula, it should be fortified with vitamin D, and an additional supplement may not be necessary.
However, if you only breastfeed or you occasionally supplement with formula, your baby may not be getting adequate amounts of the vitamin. Although breast milk is great and is generally considered to have all the nutrients your baby needs, it may be lacking in vitamin D. This is especially true during certain times of the year, when the sun is not strong enough for adequate vitamin D levels, or if you are not supplementing with it.
Vitamin D is also found in food. Good sources include eggs, fatty fish, and mushrooms. However, these foods are not appropriate for young babies, so supplements are the only option if you feel levels are low.
What to Look for in a High-Quality Supplement
One of the first things to look for when choosing the right vitamin D supplement for your baby is that it is organic. Organic vitamin D for babies ensures it is produced with no chemicals or toxins. Choose one that is only vitamin D as opposed to a multivitamin.
The next thing to check the label for is the type of vitamin D. This vitamin comes in two forms – D2 or D3. Choose one that is D3, as it comes from animal sources and is more effective than the D2 form.
Obviously, babies would have trouble swallowing a vitamin D supplement in pill form. There are numerous supplements in liquid form, specifically designed for infants. Also check the dosage. One drop should equal 400 IU. This makes it easy to add to a bottle for daily intake.
If your baby has any medical conditions, check with your doctor to make sure supplementing with vitamin D is ok. The provider may also recommend a higher dosage than normal if blood levels are extremely low.
Keep Your Baby Healthy
Although cuddles and hugs go a long way to build your baby’s overall health, at times supplements may be necessary. Whether you need baby multivitamin drops or vitamin D, make sure you buy organic and one that is made specifically for infants.