Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What vitamin supplementation is recommended for breastfed infants?

1. Vitamin C only

2. Iron and Vitamin D

3. Calcium and Vitamin A

4. Folic acid only

The correct answer is: Iron and Vitamin D

For breastfed infants, vitamin D and iron supplementation is particularly important. Breast milk alone typically does not provide enough vitamin D to meet an infant's needs, especially for those who have limited sun exposure or are exclusively breastfed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfed infants receive a daily supplement of 400 IU (international units) of vitamin D beginning shortly after birth. Iron is another crucial nutrient, as the iron stores that infants are born with begin to deplete by around 6 months of age. While breast milk does contain some iron, it is in a form that is not easily absorbed, making supplementation necessary as the infant grows. Options focusing solely on vitamin C, calcium, vitamin A, or folic acid do not address the specific deficiencies that breastfed infants might face, thereby making vitamin D and iron the appropriate focus for supplementation in this population. Therefore, the combination of iron and vitamin D is essential for promoting healthy growth and development in breastfed infants.