Which vitamin is essential for breastfed infants as recommended by health professionals?

The importance of vitamin D for breastfed infants stems from its crucial role in promoting healthy bone development and calcium metabolism. Breast milk typically does not contain sufficient levels of vitamin D, leading health professionals to recommend that exclusively breastfed infants receive a vitamin D supplement. This ensures that they obtain enough of the vitamin to support proper growth and prevent conditions such as rickets, which can result from vitamin D deficiency.

While other vitamins mentioned—A, C, and K—are also important, they do not hold the same level of focus regarding supplementation for breastfed infants. Vitamin A is important for vision and immune function, vitamin C supports skin health and immune response, and vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting. However, the specific recommendation for vitamin D supplementation in this context highlights its unique deficiency risk among breastfed infants, making it essential for their overall health and development.