Boston Children’s Hospital researchers found that 40 percent of children aged 8 to 24 months are not getting enough Vitamin D—but only 12 percent are actually Vitamin D deficient. Of the 380 infants and toddlers tested, those who were breastfed displayed lower levels of Vitamin D, reopening the discussion about the link between Vitamin D deficiency and breast milk.

In order to get enough of the vitamin needed to maintain healthy bones and a strong immune system, physicians responding to the study recommended that both breastfed babies and nursing mothers take a Vitamin D supplement, and that toddlers drink Vitamin-D fortified milk. Not using sunscreen and getting plenty of sun could also result in higher levels of Vitamin D, but considering that this could also result in skin cancer, it might be wiser to opt for the supplement. Plus, the study found no correlation between the seasons and low Vitamin D levels, suggesting that lack of sunshine is not a high risk factor for childhood Vitamin D deficiency.

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