Vitamin D and Its Importance for Mothers and Babies
Vitamin D and Its Importance for Mothers and Babies
Introduction
Vitamin D is essential for both mothers and babies during breastfeeding.
It plays a key role in calcium absorption, which keeps bones strong and supports muscle function.
Many mothers and babies do not get enough vitamin D, leading to serious health risks.
Factors like skin color, weight, sun exposure, sunscreen use, and geographic location impact vitamin D levels.
Why Vitamin D Matters
Bone Health:
Without enough vitamin D, calcium absorption drops by 50%.
This can lead to osteoporosis in mothers and rickets in babies, which causes soft and weak bones.
Immune System Support:
Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system, reducing the risk of infections.
It lowers inflammation, which is important for preventing illnesses.
Disease Prevention:
Low vitamin D levels are linked to heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and immune disorders.
It also plays a role in reducing the risk of certain cancers.
Deficiency in Mothers and Babies
57% of mothers have no vitamin D in their breast milk.
49% of mothers in the summer and 98% in the winter are vitamin D deficient after childbirth.
Breastfeeding mothers are four times more likely to be deficient in vitamin D than non-breastfeeding women.
Babies born to mothers with low vitamin D are more likely to develop weak bones, poor immune function, and a higher risk of allergies and asthma.
Studies on Vitamin D and Health
A study compared 600 IU vs. 6000 IU of vitamin D for lactating mothers.
Mothers who took 6000 IU daily had normal vitamin D and calcium levels, while those taking only 600 IU had weak bones due to calcium loss.
91% of babies of mothers who took 6000 IU had normal vitamin D levels from breast milk alone.
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone MK7) should be taken at 180 µg per day alongside vitamin D3 to ensure proper calcium absorption and prevent calcium buildup in arteries.
Vitamin D and COVID-19:
Low vitamin D levels are linked to worse COVID-19 symptoms.
Vitamin D helps regulate immune response, preventing an extreme reaction called a cytokine storm, which can be fatal.
Why Sunlight Isn't Enough
The best way to get vitamin D is from sunlight, but there are challenges:
Many people don’t spend enough time outside due to modern lifestyles.
Sunscreen blocks 95% of vitamin D production.
People with darker skin need 3 to 5 times more sun exposure to make the same vitamin D levels.
In places like North America, winter sunlight is too weak to produce vitamin D.
Vitamin D’s Role in Preventing Bone Loss
A rare condition called pregnancy or lactation-associated osteoporosis (PLO) occurs in some mothers due to extreme vitamin D and calcium deficiency.
This leads to severe back and hip pain, fractures, and lifelong bone weakness.
A study on women with PLO found that taking high doses of vitamin D could prevent bone loss during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Vitamin D’s Role in Fighting Infections
A study with 19,000 participants showed that those with low vitamin D were more likely to get
respiratory infections.
Another double-blind study found that taking 1200 IU of vitamin D daily reduced flu cases by 42% in children.
A study on infants found that higher maternal vitamin D levels led to fewer respiratory infections in their babies.
Vitamin D also helps reduce inflammation in RSV infections (a common lung virus in babies).
Conclusion
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, immune function, and disease prevention.
The mother/baby pair is at high risk for vitamin D deficiency, especially during breastfeeding.
Studies show that taking 6000 IU of vitamin D daily, along with 180 µg of Vitamin K2 (MK7), helps maintain proper vitamin D levels for both mothers and babies.
Given its role in bone strength, immune support, and infection prevention, vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for new mothers and their babies.
Weltrio Win: Cheryl’s Vitamin D Success
Cheryl, a first-time mom, was feeling exhausted, achy, and constantly getting sick while breastfeeding her newborn, Noah. At her quarterly Health Objective Planning session with Monique, her Weltrio coach, she shared her struggles.
Monique, asking the right questions and recognizing the symptoms, suggested Cheryl get her vitamin D levels checked. A simple blood test at her doctor’s revealed her vitamin D was severely low—less than 10 ng/mL. The doctor prescribed a prescription strength vitamin D medication to be taken once per week. At Cherly’s next health objective planning, Monique explained how most breastfeeding moms don’t get enough vitamin D, which can impact both their health and their baby’s development.
Monique gave Cheryl some additional information about the importance of taking 180 µg of vitamin K2 (MK7) to support calcium absorption and protect her bones. With her doctor’s approval, Cherly followed Moniques advice and made an effort to also get a little sunlight each day and add vitamin D-rich foods like salmon and egg yolks to her diet.
Cheryl’s energy returned, her aches faded, and Noah continued to thrive. At her next test, her vitamin D levels had improved significantly. Thanks to Monique and Weltrio, Cheryl felt stronger, healthier, and reassured that her baby was getting the nutrients he needed.
How Weltrio Can Help
At Weltrio, we tackle the chronic health crisis from the bottom up—one person at a time. Our one-by-one approach ensures that not only every client, but every mother receives personalized support to improve her health and her baby’s well-being.
Through Health Objective Planning, Weltrio coaches like Monique help all clients, and especially moms recognize nutrient gaps, like vitamin D deficiency, before they become serious health issues. We guide each client step by step—helping them get tested, understand their results, and take action to restore their health.
Weltrio provides evidence-based education on how vitamin D3 and K2 (MK7) work together to support bone strength, immune health, and disease prevention. We make sure clients have the tools and knowledge to thrive, ensuring both their well-being and their families.
By improving the health of one mother, one baby, one client at a time, we create a ripple effect that strengthens families and communities—building a healthier future from the ground up. At Weltrio, real change starts with the individual.
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