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Does my baby need Vitamin D?

vitamin d in babies
Dr Shauna Fannin
Medically reviewed by
10th Sep 2023
 

 

 

Vitamin D in babies

Everybody needs vitamin D. It is a vital part of staying healthy as it helps your body to absorb phosphate and calcium from food, which are important for maintaining teeth, bones and muscles. And your baby is no different. He or she needs vitamin D to stay healthy and grow properly.

But where does your little one get vitamin D from? Do they need vitamin D supplements? And what are the risks involved if your baby a vitamin D deficiency?

To find out all you need to know, read our guide to your baby and vitamin D...

Where can babies get Vitamin D?

Very few foods have vitamin D in naturally; the foods with the most vitamin D are fatty fish (like salmon and tuna), liver, eggs and fish oils. However, as babies don't tend to eat these foods, many parents will opt for Vitamin D supplements.

Can babies get vitamin D from sunlight?

Yes they can however, babies under the age of six months should be kept out of direct sunlight and so may not get the amount of Vitamin D they actually require.

Do I need to give my baby vitamin D supplements?

The NHS recommends that breastfed babies, whether exclusively or  partially breastfed, should have a daily vitamin D supplement from birth to 12 months, even if you are taking a vitamin D supplement yourself. This does not apply if your baby is having 500ml or more of formula milk each day, as by law manufacturers must add vitamin D to formula.

Does my baby still need vitamin D supplements after they start weaning?

One source of vitamin D is diet and oily fish, red meat and eggs contain vitamin D. However, there are few naturally rich food sources of vitamin D for babies and young children with only some foods such as fat spreads and some breakfast cereals being fortified with vitamin D. So your baby can’t get all the vitamin D they need from food alone.

In fact, the best source of vitamin D is the sun’s rays. The body absorbs sunlight and turns it into vitamin D. But as you need to keep your child safe from the sun, and because sunlight is in short supply in the UK during the winter months, children need vitamin D supplements.

So, you should carry on giving your child vitamin D supplements after you finish breastfeeding and begin weaning. The Department of Health advice is that all children from 6 months up to 5 years are given daily vitamin D supplements.

Where can I get baby vitamin D supplements?

For babies and toddlers the best way to give them vitamin D is through drops, which you can buy over the counter in a pharmacy. Your health visitor can advise you on this.

If you are on benefits or are under 18, then you may qualify for the Healthy Start programme, which means you can get free vitamin supplements.In some parts of the UK, Healthy Start vitamins are free to all families - ask your health visitor if this applies where you live.

Remember that some vitamin drops contain more than one supplement, so speak to your pharmacist about what is best for your child.

Should I take vitamin D supplements while I’m pregnant?

The NHS recommends that all adults – including pregnant women – should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (400 IU) from September through to March, due to the lack of sunlight. For the rest of the year you should get enough vitamin D from a combination of sunlight and a healthy, balanced diet.

What are the risks of vitamin D deficiency?

When you don’t have enough vitamin D it can cause problems with your bones, as they may become weak and soft, and even lead to bone deformities. In adults, this can develop into a condition called osteomalacia, which causes bone pain and tenderness.

In babies and children the big risk from vitamin D deficiency is an illness called rickets. This leads to bone pain and deformities and inhibits growth. It can normally be treated through dietary changes, or by giving vitamin supplements, but if you spot signs of rickets in your baby then you must speak to your doctor. Symptoms of rickets include:

  • If they are old enough to walk, being reluctant to potter about or tiring quickly. Or looking like they are waddling as they walk.
  • Poor growth.
  • Teeth problems, such as cavities or teeth not coming through.
  • Deformities, such as thickening of the knees, ankles and wrists, or bowed legs.

Does my baby need any other vitamin supplements?

As well as vitamin D, the Department of Health also recommends that all children from 6 months to 5 years have supplements containing vitamins A and C. Vitamin A strengthens the immune system, aids vision, and helps keep skin healthy. Vitamin C boosts the immune system and keeps your little one generally healthy, as well as helping them to absorb iron.




 

Approved by healthcare team

 

 

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