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American Academy of Pediatrics has revised their advice regarding vitamin D, increasing the recommended amount to 400 units per day. Infant formula contains sufficient amounts of vitamin D, but most breastfed infants and older kids are not getting enough vitamin D to meet this amount. Older kids would have to drink 32 ounces of milk per day, but kids who drink that much milk tend to fill up on milk and refuse other healthy foods. Additionally, excessive milk intake puts kids at risk for anemia, constipation, and insufficient variety in their diet. In reality, we also receive vitamin D from other food sources, and our bodies manufacture vitamin D with the help of sunlight exposure. The
AAP has a list of FAQ's to help you decide how to meet the new recommendations. We advise that infants receiving more than 50% breastmilk should be supplemented with 400 units of vitamin D per day; this is available in the form of over-the-counter vitamin drops containing vitamins A, C, and D at a dose of 1 ml per day. Formula-fed infants do not need extra supplementation. Older kids and teens should receive about 16 ounces of milk per day, seek out other vitamin D-containing foods, and consider a vitamin supplement. Most over-the-counter multivitamins contain the correct amount. Please contact us if you have questions regarding specific advice for your child and his/her nutritional intake.