Vitamin D?

rjveldman

My pediatrician recommended giving DS vitamin D for the winter. Now I don't plan to go against doctor's orders, but I'm curious why it's needed. He doesn't go out any less than he used to and quite frankly, it feels brighter with all the snow than it ever did in the fall. Thoughts anyone?

tokenhoser

You can only make vitamin D on skin exposed to sun - generally, when it's snowy a baby doesn't have much skin exposed.

The sun is at a shallower angle in the winter and doesn't trigger vitamin D the same as it does in the summer.

It's a proven fact that people in northern climates don't get enough vitamin D from sun exposure in winter. I supplement myself as well as my baby. I do think it might be tied into some of the increased rates of various diseases (like multiple sclerosis) that are a problem in places like where I live. 

lindsayj09

You might not be spending any less time outside, but he will more than likely be more covered up due to colder weather, limiting the amount of skin exposed to the sunlight.  Taking the supplements is easy enough.  I give DS his every morning at breakfast.  A quick dropper full and he's all done. 

Maryland Baby

same as other posts have said, we have a multi vitamin which has them all in plus iron and flouride as we have well water. Not a big deal but vitamin D is important.

katlizabeth

Ditto, same as pps said.  But I just wanted to add it's because you're an ebf-formula is already fortified with vit d.