<< What puzzles me about this topic is that the solution suggested (by medical people) tends to always be "give Vitamin D supplements." Why aren't mothers simply encouraged to get more exposure to sunlight for themselves and their babies? It doesn't take a lot, and it doesn't have to be a bright sunny day, either - you'll still get the vitamin D increase on a cloudy day. >> Teresa, I think this is a problem in populations where the mother is all covered up because religious or cultural beliefs. I live in sunny So. California and we have seen rickets in these populations. Some even wear gowns that cover their hands. I would love to know how to deal with that cultural/religious belief system. I don't want to be telling a mother to expose her greater parts of her body to the sun in the privacy of her own home if that is against her beliefs. It is often difficult to figure out what the individual's "restrictions" are because we am usually dealing with her through a translator. This is an important topic to enrich our cultural diversity and sensitivity. So if anyone knows please share it with me. Marie Davis, RN, IBCLC All other replies to: [log in to unmask] http://sites.netscape.net/mariedavisrnibclc/index.htm also at http://hometown.aol.com/davisrnclc/myhomepage/index.htm *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html