YES! Finally found the UK govt blog on vit D supplementation

[summer rain]

I finally found the UK government blog regarding vit D supplementation in BF babies, that mentions that the study used to recommend it from birth in the US was actually based on a large number of FF and African-American babies, and also they only took one blood sample from each child and vitamin D levels can vary over time. The study found no difference between BF babies whose mums took vit D supplements and those who were FF however; and this is why the UK government feels it is perfectly adequate for mums to take 400 to 1000iu per day of vit D instead

https://www.nhs.uk/news/2008/06June/Pages/VitaminDinpregnancy.aspx

This is the summing up in the article

What does the NHS Knowledge Service make of this study?

This was a well-conducted study of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the blood of infants and toddlers. There are some points to consider when interpreting these results:



Even though 40% of children aged under two years had levels of vitamin D that were considered less than ideal, they were all generally healthy. The study did not investigate what effects these reduced levels of vitamin D in early childhood would have on health at later ages.
Only one blood sample was taken for each child, therefore these readings may not have been representative of their vitamin D levels over a period of time. Without information about vitamin D levels and bone density over a period of time, it is not possible to firmly conclude that vitamin D deficiency was responsible for the bone changes seen.
The study sample included a high proportion of African Americans (about 61%) and a high proportion of non-breastfed infants. The results may not be representative of samples with different ethnic backgrounds or with a different proportion of breastfed infants.

Current UK guidance from NICE suggests that it is important to maintain adequate vitamin D during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and that women may choose to take up to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day during these periods, particularly if they have specific risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. In the UK, the NHS provides vitamin supplements containing vitamin D for eligible children aged between six months and four years.

 

[flashy09]

Do you give Vitamin D drops in the UK? I give 1 ML a day to my 5 week old as well as taking prenatals.

 

[summer rain]

No here its not recommended until after 6 months and even then its not a blanket recommendation; the article/blog above explains why (and the study featured is one of those used to recommend supplementation of BF babies from birth in the US). The UK government feel that according to their research that there is no difference in vitamin D levels between babies of mothers who took a decent level of vitamin D throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding and FF infants. Also many of the US studies about vitamin D deficiency in babies and toddlers had mainly FF babies as subjects so while that may suggest in some cases the artificial vit D added to formula may not be being absorbed; I don't see how it can suggest that BF babies are more likely to be vit D deficient? xx

 

[summer rain]

bump sorry just so happy to have found the link, I have talked about this piece many times but could never find it again when the UK changed governments a year and a half ago so was thrilled it suddenly materialised again. xx

 

[minties]

You're a a wealth of knowledge! Glad you found this link, it's quite interesting.

I'd like to note that I had never even heard of offering a child a suplemental drop (of ANY sort), until reading about it on here.

People have told me because NZ is a "sunny climate", but it's drilled into us to avoid the sun at all costs, and it's not actually THAT sunny here. Heck, some places it was still snowing in the summer this year.

 

[summer rain]

As I think I've said before its more to do with latitude than direct sunlight, and NZ is within the same latitudes as the southern tip of South America, which is pretty chilly (and the sunlight is as weak as here). The UK is within an equivalent latitude but in the Northern hemisphere and even the South of the UK is further North than Toronto, Scotland is more in line with the 'snowy wastes' of Northern Canada, yet routine vit D supplementation is not advised here. The US is on the same latitude as Southern Europe and Northern Africa, plus foods there are vitamin D fortified so I don't think there is any need for babies living there to be getting vitamin D from one month, but thats the public health advice there xx

 

[sailing_girl]

So what you're saying is that it's ok that I forget to give my LO her Vitamin D drop most days....and that I shouldn't feel ridiculously guilty about doing so?? Thanks for the info!

 

[summer rain]

yep its fine. xx

 

[Ruth 1980]

Yippee! Since about week 2 those damn abidec drops have just been sitting in a cupboard! I now no longer feel guilty Thanks for posting! x

 

[ashley2pink]

Haha Sailing Girl. I forget most days to give my dd her d drop.

 

[lisaf]

wow, I've never been told to give Vit D and don't know any moms who do either..

 

[summer rain]

^thanks for that; seems it varies between different states then xx