How long should vitamin D supplements be given to children?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted with Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi An - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Vitamin D supplementation for infants plays an important role in the development of bones and teeth. Vitamin D is usually synthesized for infants through sunbathing or daily foods such as breast milk, fatty fish, eggs, and other milks. However, many parents wonder how long should vitamin D supplements be given to their children?

1. When should vitamin D supplements be stopped for children?

For babies who are exclusively breastfed, vitamin D should be supplemented for children from birth with a dose of 1 drop per day equivalent to 400 units. Supplement vitamin D for infants until they can walk and go out a lot, get regular sun exposure in combination with a varied and nutritious diet, and use foods rich in vitamin D such as: (salmon, herring, sardines, yogurt, cheese, cereal, tofu,...).
For infants using formula about 1000ml a day, the amount of vitamin D supplements for babies is usually sufficient.

2. Instructions on how to supplement vitamin D for babies

Sunbathing is an important measure to supplement vitamin D for babies. You let your child sunbathe daily, every day 20-30 minutes in the morning is best (before 9am), in case there are no conditions for sunbathing such as winter birth or cramped housing... supplement vitamin D for infants from birth after 1 week, taking time to 2 years old. When children are older, can participate in more outdoor activities or have no symptoms of rickets, they do not need to drink anymore.

In addition, the amount of vitamin D supplementation for infants depends on the mode of breastfeeding, drinking formula milk or drinking other types of milk such as cow's milk, goat's milk, specifically as follows: :
If the mother is breastfeeding or is only partially breastfeeding, you need to supplement your baby with 400 international units of vitamin D (400 IU) per day, starting immediately after birth. Then, continue to give your child vitamin D supplements until they are weaned. From now on, vitamin D should be added to about 1 liter of formula per day or whole cow's milk (for babies after 12 months). If your baby is drinking vitamin D-fortified milk but can't get 1 liter a day, you need to give him 400 IU of liquid vitamin D every day, starting from the first few days after birth. Then continue to give vitamin D to the infant until the baby can drink about 1 liter of milk per day.
In case you have to supplement vitamin D for children in liquid form (drops), use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You need to read the instructions for use carefully, to avoid giving your baby more than the recommended dose.
Supplementing vitamin D for infants by mouth in the morning or afternoon, on an empty stomach or when full, does not affect the absorption of vitamin D. However, if taken with calcium, it should be taken in the morning, because Calcium taken in the evening increases the risk of kidney stones.
Vitamin D belongs to the fat-soluble group, so when taken, it will be accumulated in the liver for the body to use gradually, so in addition to maintaining the daily dose, it is also possible to take high doses periodically (according to directed by Doctor).

3. Should vitamin D3 supplements be given to infants?

Vitamin D3, also known as Cholecalciferol, has the effect of metabolizing inorganic substances, mainly calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D3 plays an important role in enhancing the absorption of calcium through the intestinal wall and helping to "bind" calcium to the bone system. In addition, vitamin D3 also helps the body reabsorb calcium in the kidneys, plays an important role in strengthening bone-building protein, helping the body's ability to keep balance better, limiting the risk of baby falling later.
Normally, after 3 days of birth, the mother can start supplementing vitamin D3 for the baby. The golden time to give your baby vitamin D3 is from 9 am to about 11 pm.
=>> See more: When should vitamin D supplements be stopped for children?
How to give infants vitamin D3 supplements
With infants: Children should be supplemented with 200 UI/day. Premature infants: Drink 400-800 UI/day or 150-400 UI/kg/day. For exclusively or partially breastfed infants: Initiate 400 IU once daily for the first few days of birth. After that, continue to add the drug until the baby is weaned to use an amount greater than or equal to 1,000 ml/day. In addition to vitamin D supplementation, for the comprehensive development of children, parents should also provide children with supporting products containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins. help meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well. Parents can simultaneously apply dietary supplements and functional foods derived from nature for easy absorption. Please accompany your child throughout the development process and regularly visit the website vimec.com to update useful baby care information.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.