Cornwall Peer Support 
News 2016

By Stephanie Heard, Infant feeding Coordinator and Health Visitor in Cornwall

UK guidance on Vitamin D supplementation has recently changed.  In July 2016, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommended that everyone over the age of one year in the population should take a supplement of 10 mcg of Vitamin D daily. This is to include all expectant and breastfeeding mothers.  SACN also recommended a similar supplement for all babies from birth.  Babies who are formula fed, consuming at least 500 mls of formula per day do not require a separate supplement as this is included in the formula ingredients.  Babies who are fully breastfed or who are partially breastfed (consuming less than 500 mls  of formula) should be given a separate supplement of Vitamin D drops containing a dose of 8.5 - 10 mcgs per day as a precaution against Vitamin D deficiency.

It is very important that this message is passed on to families in a way which recognises the value of breastfeeding for mums and babies and which does not imply that formula fed babies are receiving a superior 'product'!  The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly suggests emphasising that the issue of Vitamin D deficiency affects the whole UK population rather than just breastfed babies and is due a lack of sunlight in the UK rather than to dietary insufficiency.  An explanation that formula is supplemented with Vitamin D, so that formula fed babies are also receiving this supplement, along with their milk may also be helpful in supporting and promoting breastfeeding.

The Baby Friendly Initiative have a useful 'Statement on Vitamin D supplementation' along with a multitude of other resources  on their website - unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly .