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. 2017 Jan;15(1):68-70.
doi: 10.1370/afm.2016. Epub 2017 Jan 6.

Maternal Preferences for Vitamin D Supplementation in Breastfed Infants

Puja J Umaretiya  1   2 , Sara S Oberhelman  3 , Elizabeth W Cozine  3 , Julie A Maxson  3 , Stephanie M Quigg  3 , Tom D Thacher  4
Affiliations

Maternal Preferences for Vitamin D Supplementation in Breastfed Infants

Puja J Umaretiya et al. Ann Fam Med. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Daily vitamin D supplementation is recommended for breastfed infants, but alternative methods include enriching breast milk with vitamin D through maternal supplementation or intermittent high-dose vitamin D. We determined maternal preferences for vitamin D supplementation in 140 mothers with exclusively breastfed infants, and 44 who used both breast and formula milk. Only 101 (55%) supplemented their infants with vitamin D. One hundred sixty (88%) preferred supplementing themselves rather than their infants, and 102 (57%) preferred daily to monthly supplementation. Safety was most important in choosing a method of supplementation. Taking maternal preferences into consideration may improve adequate intakes of vitamin D in breastfed infants.

Keywords: breast feeding; decision making, shared; infant; vitamin D deficiency, prevention & control.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Dr Thacher is a consultant for Biomedical Systems, Inc, and has received a speaking honorarium from Sandoz. The other authors report none.

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