From: "Katharine West" <[log in to unmask]>
<<<Folks, this is not a new or unknown association, BF and rickets, for our
world today. It is new to the USA perhaps. When I was studying with the
Jelliffes at UCLA, we discussed in one international health class the high
rate of rickets (in both mothers and BF babies) in equatorial middle-east
nations (a known ongoing problem even today). >>>

Inded. In europa, I think in all (Nothern) countries vit D is recommended to
all bf babies. I think (I know) it isn't necessary in all cases. Eg, I
didn't give it my son, since we are not darkskinned and went out for a walk
every day. But we all know that recommading Vti Dto everyone prevents
rickets in the subcommunity that is at risk of it.

Recemmondation of vit D isn't necessary seen as undermining for
breastfeeding. It's like the vit K (shot or drops). Indeed it is sometimes
just by the formula producers for doing that, but in general vit D
precription is seen as routine without seeing it as a failure of
breastfeeding.

In Scandinavian countries (with it's very high bf rates, eg 99% at birth and
40% at 12 months in Norway), vit d drups (I've heard they actually give a
fish oil solution) are given out free by government to every nursing mother.

regards, Annelies Bon
Lay counsellor of the Dutch bf organization "Borstvoeding Natuurlijk"

Breastfeeding postcards: http://www.borstvoeding.com/shop/english.html

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