Getting bone health right from the start! Pregnancy, lactation and weaning

Maximising bone health begins with maternal heath and nutrition, which influences skeletal mass and bone density in the fetus. Maternal health and nutrition, as well as the baby's intake of Vitamin D and calcium during breastfeeding and weaning, may have a long-lasting effect on the baby's future health. Vitamin D and calcium (alongside physical activity) play key roles in bone health for both mother and baby. However, for many people in the UK achieving optimum nutritional status is difficult. This may be through lack of education, lack of access to appropriate foods or being part of a high-risk sub-group. It is essential that pregnant and breast-feeding women are provided with information on the benefits of a healthy diet and advice on how to eat healthily. Simple, practical campaigns, such as the Dairy Council's 3 a day campaign and better publicity by the Government, as well as easy access to vitamin D supplements, will help to achieve this.