by Elizabeth Green, Co-Founder, EatingForBreastfeeding.com

Breast milk is best, there is no question about that. But does breast milk actually provide everything a newborn needs? The latest studies say no.

The Institute of Medicine recently increased the Vitamin D recommendations for breastfeeding moms from 400 international units, to 600. Those extra two hundred IU are equivalent to drinking two extra cups of milk a day. That may not sound like too much, but according to Registered Dietician Stacy VanBibber, from EatingForBreastfeeding.com, many moms aren’t getting even close to reaching the old recommendations daily.

VanBibber says Vitamin D is also a hormone and is essential for helping your body absorb calcium. Getting enough of it can decrease your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and cancer, along with boosting your immune system. Babies also get the same benefits from Vitamin D. But without enough from the start, babies can develop rickets, or weakening of the bones. That’s why she says it’s so important to make sure your baby is getting enough.

VanBibber encourages breastfeeding moms to try to add Vitamin D rich foods to their diet. She says spending 10-15 minutes in the direct sun can also spur your body to create Vitamin D. But, she says even if you are getting the daily recommended amount, you still aren’t passing enough on through your breast milk.

Find out which foods add Vitamin D to your daily diet in the video above. And in Part 2 of this video, which you can access here, (EatingForBreastfeeding.com) hear the easiest way to provide enough Vitamin D for your baby, and about the possibility of taking too much.

Breastfeeding Advice from a Lactation Consultant

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