3 MinHave you just started giving your child our natural vitamin K and D drops, but are unsure how long you should continue doing so? Or are you looking for good children's vitamins and still have lots of questions about vitamins K and D? Don't worry! In this blog, we answer the most frequently asked questions about these important vitamins. We discuss why your baby needs vitamins D and K and when you should start giving these supplements.
In this article, you will read
- When to start administering vitamins K and D
- How much and for how long you should give these vitamins
- Why vitamins K and D are essential for your baby
When, how much and for how long?
The overview below clearly shows when to start giving vitamin K and D, how much to give daily and for how long. Of course, VitaminFit's vitamin D and K drops are tailored to these requirements.
| bij borstvoeding | bij flesvoeding <500 ml per dag | bij flesvoeding >500 ml per dag | |
| Vitamin K | |||
| Wanneer: | from day 8 | from day 8 | x |
| Hoeveel: | 150 mcg per day | 150 mcg per day | x |
| Hoelang: | up to 12 weeks old | up to 12 weeks old | x |
| Vitamin D | |||
| Wanneer: | from day 8 | from day 8 | from day 8 |
| Hoeveel: | 10 mcg per day | 10 mcg per day | 10 mcg per day |
| Hoelang: | up to 4 years old | up to 4 years old | up to 4 years old |
Why do I need to give my baby vitamin K for up to 12 weeks?
In the first 12 weeks, a baby does not yet have enough intestinal bacteria to produce vitamin K in the intestines. As a result, babies have a deficiency of this vitamin, which can lead to serious bleeding if they are not given vitamin K. This applies to babies who are breastfed or who consume less than 500 ml of formula per day. After 12 weeks, your baby's intestines will produce vitamin K themselves.
Vitamin K is added to formula. If your baby is already consuming more than 500 ml of formula per day, then your child is getting enough vitamin K.
Is it unwise to give extra vitamin K after 12 weeks?
No,it is not harmful to give your child vitamin K for longer than 12 weeks, but it is also not necessary. It is not a problem if you do: there is no evidence that too much vitamin K causes complaints or problems in babies and children.
Why do you continue to administer vitamin D until the age of 4?
We obtain most of our vitamin D from sunlight and a smaller amount from our diet. Babies and young children are not yet able to do this sufficiently. A severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets: a bone disorder that causes weaker bones and fractures. Children aged 6 to 24 months are most at risk of rickets because their bones grow fastest during this period.
From the age of 4, it is advisable to continue giving your child 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, especially if they have a dark or tanned skin tone, spend little time outdoors or wear covering clothing.
Why do you start giving vitamin K and D from day 8 after birth?
At birth, your baby will be given vitamin K by the midwife, which is sufficient for one week. For this reason, you start giving vitamin K from day 8 to ensure that your child does not develop a vitamin K deficiency.
For convenience, you should also start giving vitamin D on day 8. This is because a newborn baby has a (small) amount of vitamin D that it has received from the placenta.
Vitamin K cannot reach the unborn child through the placenta. As a result, the child cannot store vitamin K and needs it from a supplement immediately after birth.
Conclusion
And that's it! We hope this blog has given you a clear overview of when, how much and for how long you should give your little one vitamins K and D. It is very important that your baby receives these vitamins, especially in the first years of life, to support proper growth and development. Remember: every drop counts! :)
