The Vitamin D Association has identified a serious error in the NHS guidelines on vitamin D supplementation of breastfed infants in the UK
QUOTE:
The UK guidelines do not recommend vitamin D supplementation of breastfed infants during the first five months of life as standard.
This early supplementation is needed, and is standard practice in most other comparable countries.
What does this mean to you and what should you do about it ?
If you are a white mother anywhere in the UK breastfeeding in Winter or Spring:
The risk: if you follow all of the current guidelines, our analysis is that your baby is at significant risk of vitamin D deficiency or serious vitamin D deficiency during the first five months of life. The main health consequences to be concerned about are a risk of impaired bone development, and impaired ability to avoid or manage infections.
If you are a South Asian or African in England or Wales and are pregnant or breastfeeding:
The risk: if you follow all of the current guidelines, your baby is at serious risk of acute vitamin D deficiency during the first five months of life. The health consequences to be concerned about are a serious risk of rickets, seizures, heart problems, and even death.
Action:
Please go to:
http://vitamindassociation.org/pregnant-and-breastfeeding-mothers.html
Read their information very carefully and follow the advice.
Here is a suitable Vitamin D product for babies:
You can get suitable Baby Ddrops from the Ddrops Company
These provide 10 micrograms ( = 400 IU ) per drop
The directions state:
Infants less than 2 years old:
Place 1 drop daily onto mother’s nipple, or a pacifier, and allow baby to suck for 30 seconds. Or mix 1 drop daily with formula, juice or other food.
Infants over 2 years of age:
Take 1 drop daily. May be put on food or taken from a clean surface such as a spoon or the back of a washed hand.
These are available in the UK from most larger branches of www.boots.com