Do I have to give my breastfed baby vitamin D drops?

No, you don't: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/vitamin...

Get some sun and if you want you can supplement yourself, but vitamin D we make ourselves from sunlight is superior to supplements.

Myth #6: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&vi...

My daughter was breastfed for 6 months and I have never heard of babies needing Vitamin D drops, because breast milk contains all they need, and we live in the UK where sunshine isn't exactly in abundance. The only time I would have thought it perhaps necessary is if you lived within the Arctic circle where sunshine is in short supply! Presumably you take your baby out for a walk, so he would get plenty of sunlight. I really am perplexed about the need for the Vitamin D drops otherwise. Sorry to say if your doctor has been rude to you, you perhaps need to change to a doctor who serves his patients rather than himself. Don't put up with that! Perhaps he needs to be reminded that childbirth is a natural occurrence and not a disease where you need to be hospitalized if you don't want to be. The midwife is a specialist, so I would be inclined to listen to what she has to say. Perhaps you could go back to her and tell her what the doctor has said.

I've done my fair share of research on this topic...

It depends on where you live. In places like here in Canada, you should be giving your child vit d drops. We don't get enough sunlight all year round to produce sufficient amounts of it. We get enough like... 4 months out of the year.

Now if you live in the states between Canada and Texas you get a bit more months out of the year. Below Florida and such, you pretty much get lots all year round.

NOW... it's also not known how much you need out in the sun each day, and as your doctor pointed out babies should be covered when out in the sun. 15 minutes for one baby may not be enough. Who's to say.

ALSO... the uv rays needed to produce vit d cannot penetrate windows, sunscreen and can't work if you are inthe shade. So baby needs to be in direct sunlight. Something we are told not to do.

Vitamin D is essential to immune health. It's been shown to help decrease the risk of certain types of cancers and overall is needed for your immune system to function.

In the end, i continued to give my child vit d drops. I tried to remember on a daily basis, but he probably got them (on average) 4-5/7 days out of the week. I chosse to give them to my son because we live in Canada and we don't see as much sun.

It's a personal choice, do what you feel is best!

Hi. No your baby does not need any supplements.

A breast fed baby gets all it's needs from your milk.

And good for you, deciding on a home birth!

As long as you have a good pregnancy. Had a good first birth with no complications.

All is well with your baby then a home birth should be fine.

I had my 4th at home. And I did have to fight for it. Even though I had 3 previous good pregnancys and quick, normal births!

And it was the most wonderfull experience ever.

And he is soon off to University!!

So, good luck to you.

i never gave my son the drops.