Breastfeeding your baby? Take Vitamin D3 every day or get daily sun exposure.

Until recently scientists haven’t appreciated the fact that breastfeeding mothers need daily Vitamin D3. Nursing mums could have 50-60 ng/ml of measurable 25(OH)D (a metabolite of Vitamin D3) in their blood but no measurable Vitamin D3 in their breast milk. Why? After Vitamin D3 has been turned to 25(OH)D it cannot enter the breast milk. Vitamin D3 has a half life in the autocrine system of roughly 24 hours, so in order for it to have a meaningful impact on cellular functions, you need a new supply of it every day. The only way to get Vitamin D3 in breast milk is by dosing daily - either by sun, diet or supplementation. The latest research of Grassrootshealth and Dr. Bruce Hollis, Professor of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina indicates that 6,400 IU/day is necessary for breast feeding mothers to attain sufficient vitamin D (to the value of 400 IU/day for the infant) in their breast milk. More on appropriate daily sun exposure in Healthy Parents, Healthy Baby and Healthy Parents, Healthy Toddler.

Why the new baby boom?

Sydney Morning Herald
Kate Benson Medical Reporter
October 30, 2007

AUSTRALIA's birthrate has risen again - thanks to women in their 30s who are fuelling a baby boom - but experts warn that many are leaving pregnancy until too late "and expecting science to save them".

The nation's fertility rate is at its highest level in 12 years, with about 265,900 babies born last year. But it is women between 30 and 34 who are having more babies than any other age group, and more than their age group has had in the past 43 years, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released yesterday.

http://blogs.smh.com.au/newsblog/archives/your_say/016267.html?page=3#comments

Jan Roberts comments:
It's time the prophets of doom recognised that it's not increasing age that compromises fertility, but 35+ years of modern diet, lifestyle and environment! Sure, reversing the trend of this accumulation of factors takes some commitment (from both prospective parents) but it doesn't involve a high-tech solution and it does allow attainment of financial and professional 'security' if that's what you want. Security aside, older parents generally bring greater wisdom and patience to the job - becoming the mother of two sons at 38 and 42 - I made positive parenting choices that would never have occurred to me a decade earlier. But the most inspired decision was our preconception preparation - fabulously healthy babies just one of the many by-products!

A blogging virgin

Last week I asked the Universe - how can I get my preconception message out to the widest possible audience with ease and grace. Well you should always be very careful what you ask for. Last Thursday I was offered the most amazing position that will help me do it.


Then yesterday I attended a fantastic workshop - 'blogs, wikis and marketing.' Laurel Papworth had me on the edge of my seat - well, that's probably a bit strong, but you get what I mean. As a passionate and tireless communicator, I realised I haven't even touched the sides of getting my message out to the world.

But I'm on my way...