Osteomalacia, also known as “rickets,” is bone weakness resulting from Vitamin D deficiency. We now know that breastfed babies and formula fed babies need Vitamin D supplementation. Formula has Vitamin D in it, but not enough Vitamin D until the baby is drinking 500 mL (about 17 ounces) of formula per day.
The National Academy of Sciences recommends a supplement of 200 IU per day of Vitamin D for the following:
1. All breastfed infants unless they are weaned to at least 500 mL per day of Vitamin D-fortified formula or milk.
2. All nonbreastfed infants who are ingesting less than 500 mL per day of Vitamin D-fortified formula or milk.
3. All children and adolescents who do not get regular sunlight exposure, do not ingest at least 500 mL per day of Vitamin D-fortified milk, or do not take a daily multivitamin supplement containing at least 200 IU of vitamin D.
