Can i prevent rickets in my exclusively breast-fed child through sun exposure alone? i exclusively breast-feed my son. is it possible to prevent rickets with sun exposure instead of giving him vitamin d drops?

The : The american academy of pediatrics recommends that all exclusively breast fed children be supplemented with vitamin d drops to reach adequate levels. Even though sunlight can induce the skin to produce vitamin d, the amount of sunlight needed to produce an adequate amount can be dangerous. Research shows that extended skin exposure to uv light - especially as an infant or small child - can lead to increased risk of skin cancers later in life. In general, even for adults, no sun is good sun.

Probably yes: Rickets is a metabolic bone disease related to vitamin D deficiency. It is associated with severe malnutrition, and on rare conditions, genetic defects of metabolism. Vitamin D is necessary to convert calcium to its usable, absorbable form. There are dietary sources of vitamin D as well as vitamin D conversion with sunlight exposure. Unless your child is severely malnourished, they should be ok.