Newborns have an increased need for vitamin D. Breast milk contains less vitamin D than cow’s milk. But breast milk has components which are important for the baby’s immune system and breast milk feed infants have a decreased incidence of allergies in later life. Because of these reasons it is recommended to breast feed babies for at least 6 months if possible for 12 months. To compensate the lack of enough vitamin D in breast milk it is recommended to give all newborns vitamin D for 12 months. Since vitamin D is so important for newborns this recommendation is in place for every child no matter if the child receives cow’s milk based formula or is breast fed.

Deficiency of vitamin D leads to growth retardation. In case of severe vitamin D insufficiency absorption of calcium is decreased and children develop rickets. In North America and Europe rickets are very rare but it still can be seen in children in underdeveloped countries. The symptoms are growth retardation, deformities of the skeleton such as the skull, long bones and ribs, weaken immune system and easy fracturability.