D It Up
It’s apparently well-known that breast-fed babies are at risk for a vitamin D deficiency. (This mom-to-be was not aware of this, so it looks like I need to “bone up” on these types of tidbits.) While 9 out of 10 breast-fed babies don’t receive enough vitamin D, less than 37 percent of formula-fed babies get the recommended amount, even though formula is fortified with the nutrient.
Although it takes just 10 to 15 minutes to get the daily D essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system, sun exposure has its own risks—especially on precious-soft-adorable baby skin. But according to another study, babies were less likely to be vitamin D deficient if their mothers took prenatal vitamins in their second and third trimesters. All the more reason to keep poppin’ those pills, ladies!
—Erin