Well, that’s not really the question. But is there an amount of Vitamin D that a breastfeeding mom can take in order for the breast milk to contain recommended levels of Vitamin D for her baby?

There have been numerous studies confirming the fact that breast milk does not contain enough Vitamin D to meet the nutritional needs of an infant. Even in mothers who are still taking prenatal vitamins; there’s not enough that makes its way into the milk ducts. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies should be given a daily Vitamin D supplement which provides 400 International Units (IU) of the vitamin. Yes, even formula-fed babies need it (at least until they’re consuming a daily minimum of 32 oz per day of a Vitamin D fortified formula)!

There’s been some new light shed on this topic, however. Some studies have suggested that lactating mothers who take 4000 IU to 6400 IU of daily Vitamin D, will produce an adequate amount of the vitamin present in the breast milk to meet the nutritional requirements of the infant. This is pretty awesome news! Especially if you’re like me and forget to give your little one their daily dose; or better yet, if your little one gives the Vitamin D right back to you (stained clothes or furniture anyone?). 

It’s important to note that the research noted that adequate Vitamin D levels weren’t reached until about 4-5 months AFTER taking the increased dose. 

With that being said, we still recommend that you give your baby a Vitamin D supplement until there is more research done in this area. I would also highly recommend that mothers who are interested in breastfeeding discuss taking an increased dose of Vitamin D with their OB/Gyn as elevated Vitamin D levels in the body can pose some health risks. 

My first question would be, “how do you define ‘all the time’?”

Some people have unrealistic expectations for a breastfeeding baby. By rule, we know that they need to eat 8-12 times per 24 hours to sustain milk supply and growth. These feeds are rarely consistent by the clock’s standards, so throw the “two to three hour” rule out the window.

During those first couple of months, it tends to take 45 minutes to an hour per feed by the time you are able to get the baby stimulated enough to stay awake, fed on side one, burped, fed from the other side, and back down. The bigger the baby gets, the better they are at removing milk and the duration of the feeds will shorten.

Simple math tells us that if a baby is eating every 2 hours for an hour at a time, that is half of your day—and yes, “all the time!” But it's also completely normal.

Cluster feedings, do occur, from time to time as well, as a way for your baby to adjust your milk supply to fit their growing needs. The baby may cluster the night before your milk comes in, and again between one and two weeks when they reach their birth weight and attempt to double your milk supply from the one ounce they were getting to two, per feed.

Expect more clustering during growth spurts, as the baby continues to adjust the supply/ demand, although the older the baby gets, these are often less noticeable.

Try and not let the demands of the baby during these times get you down. It is not an indication that you do not have enough milk, nor does it last very long.

Sometimes I’m asked, “Why is breastfeeding so important to you?”

Honestly, 10 years ago, I was so close to not knowing the answer. I was struggling and ready to quit, before I finally reached out for help.

Eventually I fell in love with breastfeeding and made it my passion to help any mom who asked for help, find her love for it as well.

When I consult with a new mom, I usually start by talking about the milk itself.

Human milk is made specifically for humans. I wouldn’t give a rabbit baby milk from a horse, if I had plentiful rabbit milk.

Though, there are some women who don’t make milk (or enough to suffice), that is not the case for the vast majority.

The carbohydrates, fats and proteins are exactly what our human babies need to thrive. It’s pure, organic, and no risk involved with additives or preservatives or contaminated water.

Breast milk is full of antibodies, and hormones, and probiotics that are invaluable to our children's health.

Our supply is ever-changing and tailored to our children’s needs, through growth or illness, our milk actually reacts before we do as the saliva exchanges between baby and breast.

Here are just a few of the benefits of breastfeeding:

• Breast milk is free.

• It doesn’t know social status or the thickness of your wallet.

• There’s no mixing, measuring, washing or preparing.

• At midnight and 3 a.m., it is warm and ready to serve.

Then there are the facts:

• Our breastfed children are at a lower risk for obesity, diabetes, asthma, diarrhea, ear infections and some childhood cancers.

• The risk of SIDs is also lower in breastfed children.

• For us as the mother, breastfeeding also lowers our chances of osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancer as well as helps with postpartum depression.

Finally, the physical and emotional connection between you and your baby is powerful.

Eight to 12 times a day, you have the pleasure (although to be honest I know sometimes it feels like you are forced) to sit and bond with your baby for 45 minutes or more at a time in the early days. Talking, singing and eye contact are a positive byproduct of the inability of anyone else being able to help you feed your child.

Skin to skin is the best way to regulate core temperatures, heart rate and blood sugars; and breastfeeding creates a natural and unforced space to do so.

Breastfeeding is natural. I learned that lesson a decade ago and continue to see its benefits with the thousands of moms I’ve helped over the years as a lactation consultant.

Schedule an appointment with our virtual lactation consultant.

For More Information On This Topic

• Virtual Lactation Program at Cook Children's
• 'Am I Making Enough Breast Milk?'
• New Study Shows Breastfeeding Decreases Risks Of SIDS
• What you need to know about breastfeeding and your baby