Breastfeeding Baby - Vitamin D Deficiency, Baby's Health & the Meaning of Life For Breastfeeding Mom

Breastfeeding and Vitamin D

Much concern has been expressed recently around Vitamin D deficiency in breast milk. As a result, many doctors recommend that babies who are breastfeeding exclusively be given a supplement of Vitamin D to ensure sufficient intake.

Sources of Vitamin D for Breastfeeding Moms

Vitamin D is available in certain foods such as cod liver oil, pink salmon, oysters, mackerel, sardines, tuna, cheddar cheese, yoghurt and egg yolks. So breastfeeding moms might like to include some of these in their diet.

But in addition to receiving Vitamin D from food, the body creates vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. The recommended amount of time for baby to spend in the sun depends on amount of clothing she is wearing, sunlight available and the colour of her skin. Darker skins require more sun exposure.

Breastfeeding, Vitamin D and The Meaning of Life

So what is nature trying to tell us in this story of breast milk and vitamin D? There seems to be three different and powerful messages for breastfeeding moms.

• Nourish yourself. As you nourish yourself you nourish your baby. This applies not only to food but also to how we treat ourselves in general. The more we mums care for and nourish ourselves the more we have to give our babies..breastfeeding or otherwise.
• Get out of the house and into nature. Breaking the routine and getting out for a stroll is invigorating, stimulating and so good for your health.
• Kisses on naked skin are very good for your health! In the case of vitamin D and breastfeeding, the kisses I refer to come from the sun. But nature is a reminding us here that loving kisses on your naked skin (and baby's) are wonderful for your vitality.