Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms, Risks for Babies, Breastfeeding Moms

Vitamin D deficiency in your baby could invite diseases like rickets, cardiomyopathy, and other infectious disorders, autoimmune diseases and diabetics.

Vitamin D & Infants

Now, Vitamin D, like you know, is responsible for your baby’s healthy bones, teeth and overall wellness. It vitamin D plays a significant role in combating many infections and ensures your infant’s muscles, heart, and brain work well. So, in a nutshell, Vitamin D:

• Toughens the immune system
• Enhances muscle & cardiovascular system
• Improves respiratory function
• Helps in brain development
• Has anti-cancer properties

Did you know, Vitamin D can be generated by our own body? Yes, that’s right! If your baby gets sufficient exposure to sunlight, he/she can create Vitamin D. In fact, there are no food items available that can help you replace vitamin D content of your baby’s body. So, regular exposure to sunlight is a must.

Also Read: Constipation In Infants & Toddlers - Prevention Tips

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms In 0-12 Month Old Babies:

Vitamin D deficiency in infants may not be vividly visible. However, minor crankiness or fussiness may be the only signs. But, this can easily go undetected. Thus, keep a lookout for some of the below-listed symptoms in your baby to spot whether he/she is doing great on Vitamin D levels.

1. Soft Or Weak Skull -

   The solidification progression of the skull bones to join together right after delivery is inadequate in infants who have a Vitamin D deficiency. This results in an oddly soft scalp in the infant that puts him/her in jeopardy of withstanding a bad fall

2. Late Accomplishments Of Milestones -

   A Vitamin D deficient baby will most likely find it pretty hard to sit up by himself/herself or easily crawl. In few instances, the baby’s limbs may even appear inflamed or puffy due to unusually wide bones. S/he might even display agitation due to frail muscles and succeeding pain in the bones, which can cultivate as an outcome of Vitamin D insufficiency

3. Bone Abnormalities -

   Outwardly bent legs and a twisted spine can be the symbols of bone defects in your baby. Inadequate Vitamin D levels, consequently, prevent healthy growth in a baby

4. Growth Rate Slows Down –

   Infants who have low Vitamin D levels tend to grow slowly in height. Also, they start walking later than their healthy counterparts

5. Delay In Teething –

   If your infant has Vitamin D deficiency, he/she will show signs of late teething. This signifies, your baby’s growth of milk teeth has been disturbed

6. Frail Immunity –

   If your baby has low Vitamin D levels, he/she will be more prone to falling prey to infections and few diseases. For instance, respiratory ailments are most common in such babies. This happens due to feeble chest muscles and a soft rib cage

Pregnancy & Vitamin D Deficiency

Usually, these days, maximum people are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency due to various lifestyle problems. Now, Vitamin D levels in an expecting mommy have substantial impact on the unborn child. Hence, it is recommended that an expecting mommy starts a course of Vitamin D supplement. Did you know, few women are more susceptible to be deficient in Vitamin D compared to others? Here’s why:

• Obesity
• Lack of sunlight exposure
• Dark skin

If you have any of these problems, do see your doctor and ask for Vitamin D supplements to make sure your little baby’s Vitamin D is absolutely sorted.

Breastfeeding & Vitamin D Deficiency

Did you know, a baby’s Vitamin D levels go up while they are in your womb? And subsequently, the levels fall immediately after they are born. That’s why elders in the house advice that the baby should soak some sun every day! Also, Vitamin D is supplied from breastmilk too. So, if you have Vitamin D deficiency then your baby’s Vitamin D levels are at risk!

Is Your Infant At Risk Of Being Vitamin D Deficit?

Every infant needs a certain amount of Vitamin D to stay healthy and hearty. However, some babies need a slightly higher dosage of the vitamin to stay fit because at times, due to a shortage in the measures transferred to the foetus from the mum’s body, Vitamin D deficiency becomes a standard problem. Consequently, there are few more reasons where infants are likely to suffer from this deficiency. For instance:

• Your baby’s body is incapable of creating adequate vitamin D
• Dearth of Vitamin D in the mother’s diet
• Lack of sunlight exposure

Also Read: Spot Early Signs Of Speech Problem In Your Infant

Sunlight Promotes Vitamin D In Infants

If your baby still not below 6-months-old, then do not expose him/her to sunlight often. In this case, you can ask your doctor for Vitamin D supplements for your baby. However, at later stages when you give your son/daughter a daily dose of sunbathing, make sure you put proper clothes on your baby and do follow sunscreen measures too to avoid any skin burns!

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