Vitamin D-3 and the Lactating Client

Most infants who are partially or exclusively fed human milk are deficient in vitamin D-3. This is not because human milk is inherently deficient but because most Am(e)rican adults are deficient in vitamin D3; thus, vitamin D is low in human milk. Lactating patients should be informed that their infants need additional vitamin D-3. They must also be empowered with the evidence-based alternative of ingesting high amounts of vitamin D-3 themselves in order to bring the vitamin D-3 level in their milk to the required level, so they can discuss this alternative with their care provider.