Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient for both children and adults. Throughout all stages of our lives, vitamin D helps to promote the growth and maintenance of our bones, muscles and teeth1. So of course, vitamin D is especially important for babies and toddlers who are rapidly growing and developing in front of our eyes every day!

Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because it’s naturally produced by our body when our skin is directly exposed to sunlight. Every year from around the end of March until September, children should be able to get enough vitamin D from being outside during daily activities (don’t forget the sunscreen!), though this can be harder to achieve in winter months¹.

If your baby has started weaning, there are also some ways you can increase your child’s vitamin D intake through their diet by offering foods like oily fish, eggs, red meat and fortified foods (e.g. some baby cereals and spreads)*².

*Ensure any food you offer your baby is prepared appropriately, take care to remove any bones from meat or fish³.

Sometimes it can be difficult for children to get enough vitamin D through their diet alone, so the Department of Health recommends²:

• If your baby is breastfed and under 1 year of age, they should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5-10 micrograms of vitamin D.
• If your baby is formula fed, you do not need to give them vitamin D supplements as formula milk is already fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients.
• If your child is aged 1 to 4, they should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.

If you would like more information about vitamin D supplements for your little one, please contact a Healthcare Professional.

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you eat a varied, balanced diet. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breastmilk, and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. The social and financial implications of using an infant formula should be considered. Improper use of an infant formula or inappropriate foods or feeding methods may present a health hazard. If you use an infant formula, you should follow manufacturer’s instructions for use carefully – failure to follow the instructions may make your baby ill. Always consult your doctor, midwife or health visitor for advice about feeding your baby.