Vitamin K should be given as a single, intramuscular dose of 0.5 to 1.0 mg. Vitamin K prophylaxis for newborn infants is mandated by law in Virginia. The maternal diet strongly influences the concentration of certain water-soluble vitamins in human milk. Vitamin B 12 deficiency has been reported in breast-fed infants of strict vegetarian mothers. The benefit of fluoride supplementation in the breast-fed infant is controversial.
Research shows that unerupted teeth are mineralized in early infancy.
The Committee on Nutrition favors initiating fluoride supplements shortly after birth in breast-fed infants but acknowledges that fluoride supplementation could be initiated at six months of age. Formula-fed Infants Infants who consume appropriate amounts of commercial infant formulas which are within the recommendations of the Committee on Nutrition do not need vitamin and mineral supplementation in the first six months of life. Furthermore, they do not need supplements during the second six months of life if formula continues to be used in appropriate combination with solid foods. If powdered or concentrated formula is used, fluoride supplements should be administered only if the community water contains less than 0.3 ppm of fluoride. The needs of preterm infants for vitamins and minerals are proportionately greater than those of term infants because of the increased demands of a more rapid growth rate and less complete intestinal absorption.