A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial in 400 women, comparing the effects of the recommended dose of 200.000 IU of vitamin A given within the first week post-partum (current practice, 200 women) with the effect when given at 6 weeks post-partum, which is still within the WHO recommended intervention window (200 women). Main outcomes will be maternal and infant vitamin A status 6 months post-partum, breast milk vitamin A concentrations and the time-course of acute phase response, to establish the optimal time after delivery for vitamin A supplementation. Secondary outcomes will be morbidity of the infants during the first 6 months of life and anthropometrical indices of the infants at 6 mo of age.