Without it, growing bones stay soft, making them subject to painful bending that can lead to deformities. Infants and children require 200 IU of vitamin D each day for proper bone development. Infant formulas are fortified with the necessary amount of vitamin D, but human milk contains relatively little. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supplemental vitamin D drops for breastfed babies who might be at risk for rickets. Vitamin D supplementation is usually achieved by providing infants with a multi-vitamin drop that contains the vitamin.
Some experts also advocate routine vitamin D supplementation for all breastfed babies.
Human milk provides complete nutrition for the first six months of life, providing an infant s exposure to sunshine is adequate, Abrams said. Preventing nutritional rickets is not difficult, Abrams said. D. Few foods are naturally good sources of vitamin D except fish like halibut, salmon, cod, and herring and eggs, although some foods, including milk, are fortified with the vitamin. However, while federal law requires that milk contain 400 IU of vitamin D per quart, the regulation does not apply to other dairy products like yogurt, ice cream and cheese, or soy and rice milk beverages. To check for vitamin D in foods, inspect food labels.