Current guidance in the UK is that all babies who are breastfed after
the age of 6 mths should get daily supplements of Vit D  - these are
only available in 'packages' of vits A, C and D.

Formula fed babies are not subject to this guidance, as the formulas
on sale in the UK are already supplemented with what our health
services have decided is the appropriate amount of Vit D.

The guidance came out of research that showed a rise in the cases of
rickets, mainly in ethnic minority infants in the Midlands and the
North of the UK (where there is less sunlight than elsewhere).

Discussion around the guidance focussed on modern lifestyles which
may mean infants and mothers are not outside very much, and when they
are, they may be wrapped up for the sake of warmth.

In practice,  few HCPs seem to pass on the guidance to mothers, but
those that do, pass it on in terms of 'there are not enough vitamins
in breastmilk after your baby is 6 mths' - this is not much of a
paraphrase, in fact; it is what mothers tell me their HVs have said
to them. Of course it's not a breastmilk 'deficiency' at all, but a
'lifestyle' one.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome