Vitamin D and raw children

[ella]

I don't know why I'm in this section of the forum so much- I don't have any kids yet... maybe it's research. :) Anyway, I just read something in Shazzie's journal I thought I should share for all you raw moms to be and new moms.

http://www.shazzie.com/raw/journal/2006/april.shtml
Vitamin D and raw children

That elusive vitamin raises its head again. I've been talking to Tish recently and we've been working out what it is that causes raw children to be healthy as opposed to unhealthy. I've seen children *not grow* and have severe mental development problems even just while in the breastfeeding stage because the mothers have been deficient, so this is a major deal.

Whilst most vegans accept that B12 is an issue for everyone (not just vegans), vitamin D is frequently brushed under the carpet. If your child is eating cooked vegan foods that are supplemented with vitamin D, they may be OK. Otherwise, read on...

Here's what we know

Parents of raw and vegan children are obviously caring people, no-one is disputing that.
Sometimes dogma can overrule common sense. I've seen it in so-called intelligent people. Experimenting on yourself is one thing, doing it to your child is a different matter altogether, and I can't condone it for any reason.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause lasting defects in your child.
It's natural for us to live in a sunny climate, where vitamin D is abundant through high-sun exposure. We are tropical creatures living in temperate zones.
It's not natural to be vegan, there are no natural vegan animals. "Vegan" animals eat insects and their poo as they eat vegetation, whether they intend to or not.
Vitamin D is often at such a low level in the temperate zone mother, that the breastfed baby doesn't get enough. When the natural stores are depleted, there is not vitamin D available for healthy growth.
The RDA for vitamin D is just 400 IU. This is the minimum amount your child needs to prevent rickets. They actually need more than this for healthy growth.

Bearing all this in mind... If you're going to bring your child up as cooked or raw vegan in the UK, you must supplement with vitamin D somehow, from the word go. If it's the summer and you're getting adequate sun exposure and you're breastfeeding, then a year without artificial supplementation is OK, as you'll gain and store lots of vitamin D from the sun which will be passed on to your child through your milk.

If you wish to take supplements and breastfeed your unsupplemented child, you must take in at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D yourself. This will cause normal levels of vitamin D in the child. You may wish to take in more so your child has the opportunity to take in more than the "normal" amount.

If you don't want to supplement yourself while breastfeeding you must ensure that you have enough exposure to the sunshine. If you are not breastfeeding and don't want to supplement your child, you must ensure they have sufficient exposure to the sunshine without burning them.
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[Punky]

Thanks Ella for your post. Something to think about. I think with any diet/lifestyle, even raw, one has to make sure it is balanced, especially when it comes to children.

By the way, LOVE LOVE LOVE your shirt! It rawks!
(I have the same one in the 3/4 length sleeves )

[EmeraldGlow]

I don't have kids and i'm not married buuuut I love coming here and reading this stuff (it's research for me too i guess!). Thanks for the good read :).

ok, this is off topic but where did you get those shirts u guys??? I want one!!

[ella]

hey eg, the shirts are @ oneluckyduck.com

they fit tight! so you might want to get a size up.

[EmeraldGlow]

THanks ella!

::: :::

[Punky]

yup www.oneluckyduck.com

I love mine and Sarma has really great customer service and is really sweet.
My shirt is a Large and I am about a size 8-10 with a pouch.

[truthseeker]

We play outside a lot. But I also give my children cod liver oil.