Vitamin D and Goat Milk for Babies - Essential Nutrition Information for Parents
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for rapidly growing toddlers and a common deficiency in children. Read on to learn about the importance of this nutrient, and how much vitamin D is in goat milk.
The Importance of Vitamin D for Babies
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is made by the body in response to UV light from the sun hitting our skin. It aids the absorption of calcium to promote strong, healthy bones and teeth, while also helping to boost the immune system and promote healthy cell growth. A severe vitamin D deficiency may lead to a serious condition called rickets, causing very weak bones. A mild vitamin D deficiency may, however, also impact overall health, contributing to reduced bone density, mood disorders, increased risk of asthma and allergies in children and reduced immune function.
How much Vitamin D does my baby need?
Vitamin D deficiency may be more common than many parents believe. One study found that about 70% of children have insufficient levels of vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants under 12 months old consume 400 IU (international units) of vitamin D each day, and children over one year get 600 IU per day. While sunscreen and long sleeve clothing are important for sun protection, they also block the UV rays required for our body to make vitamin D, and many children don’t spend enough time each day in the sun to make sufficient vitamin D.
Does Goat Milk have Vitamin D3?
While goat milk is naturally easy to digest, fluid goat milk on its own lacks a number of important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D. One cup (8 fl oz) of goat milk contains only 29 IU of vitamin D, so if you’re using goat milk with your little one, make sure it’s fortified with the critical nutrients they need.
Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula is fortified with 22 vitamins and minerals including vitamin D, providing 94 IU per 8 fl oz serving. Other food sources of vitamin D include salmon and fortified orange juice.
Incorporating two 4-ounce servings of Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula each day is a wonderful complement to your toddler’s diet and can help fill nutrient gaps, such as vitamin D, that may not be achieved through diet alone.
Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula may be an option for little ones during feeding transitions, such as weaning and supplementing, or those with minor issues associated with cow milk sensitivity*.
*Not suitable for children with confirmed cow milk protein allergy