What is the recommended vitamin supplementation for breastfed infants from birth?

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Prepare for the LEIK Family Nurse Practitioner Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Breastfed infants have specific nutritional needs that are sometimes not fully met through breast milk alone. The correct choice, which includes iron and vitamin D supplementation, aligns with recommendations from health authorities such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Breast milk is generally low in iron, and as infants begin to grow, their iron stores, which they receive in utero, start to deplete around 4 to 6 months of age. To prevent iron deficiency anemia, it's important to supplement with iron starting at around 4 months if exclusively breastfed.

Vitamin D is crucial for the development of healthy bones and to prevent rickets, as breast milk does not provide adequate amounts. The recommendation is for breastfed infants to receive a daily vitamin D supplement of 400 IU, starting soon after birth.

Because the combination of both iron and vitamin D addresses two critical areas of nutrient deficiency for breastfed infants, this makes it the most appropriate answer.

Other options either lack one of these vital supplements or suggest that no supplementation is necessary, which does not meet the established guidelines for optimal infant health and development.

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