Supplementation and vitamin D
A recent directive from the Department of Health recommends that all babies from birth to one year of age should get a vitamin D supplement. Ask your healthcare professional for the recommended daily dose and do not exceed it.
Vitamin D is essential for your baby to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are important for healthy bones. Scarcity of vitamin D causes rickets – a softening and weakening of bones.
If you are breastfeeding and want to increase Vitamin D stores in your body, you can:
At six months babies need more iron – you can take a supplement if you are concerned about your diet and include iron-rich foods in your baby’s meals, such as spinach, meat (including liver) and fish.
Vitamin D is essential for your baby to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are important for healthy bones. Scarcity of vitamin D causes rickets – a softening and weakening of bones.
If you are breastfeeding and want to increase Vitamin D stores in your body, you can:
- eat a healthy diet and get out for walks. Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight – if you are going out in summer, you and your baby will need some protection. If you are concerned that sun cream will lower your levels of vitamin D, Cancer Research UK advises that, ‘The amount of sunlight you need to get enough vitamin D will always be less than the amount that makes your skin tan or burn’
- include Vitamin D-rich foods in your diet like fortified milk, fortified cereals, eggs and oily fish.
At six months babies need more iron – you can take a supplement if you are concerned about your diet and include iron-rich foods in your baby’s meals, such as spinach, meat (including liver) and fish.
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