Breastfeeding is the ideal form of infant feeding, but supplementation with Vitamin D, starting soon after birth, is recommended because breastfed infants generally do not obtain adequate Vitamin D from other sources.
The study, "Adherence to Vitamin D Recommendations Among U.S. Infants," published in the April issue of Paediatrics examined data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II conducted from 2005 to 2007.
Approximately half of the infants who were breastfed, formula-fed, or mixed fed met the 2003 American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommendation of 200 IU of vitamin D per day, but fewer than one-quarter would have met the current, 2008 AAP recommendation of 400 IU per day.
While formula-fed infants receive Vitamin D supplementation from the formula, study authors found that the amount consumed may not be adequate to meet the 2008 AAP recommendation. Paediatricians should encourage parents of infants who are either breastfed or consuming less than 1 litre (just under 1 quart, or 33.8 ounces) of infant formula per day to give their infants an oral Vitamin D supplement to meet the current AAP recommendation.
Photo credit: Michael Jastremski
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