How Much Vitamin D Should Toddlers Have

How Much Vitamin D Should Toddlers Have

Just like adults, babies and children also need their quota of Vitamin D every day to help them to grow up strong and healthy.

The Department of Health recommends that all breastfed babies and children aged 6 months to 5 years are given vitamin D supplements, as well as vitamin A and vitamin C, every day.¹

This guide will provide helpful information on:

• What vitamin D is
• What vitamin D does
• Why kids need vitamin D
• Vitamin D deficiency in babies and children
• The best vitamin D supplements for kids of all ages
• The recommended vitamin D dose for children
• And more!

What is vitamin D?

Also known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D is essential for making sure our bones, teeth and muscles are healthy as they develop and remain healthy as we get older.

We tend to get most of our Vitamin D from sunlight exposure, which starts in the UK around March and ends as the summer draws to a close and autumn arrives, usually around September time.

Did you know that Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world?²

In fact, some reports state that vitamin D deficiency is so widespread that it should be seen as a global public health problem.³

Given the fact it is one of the vitamins we can all get access to, simply by being out in the sun, you would like to think Vitamin D is something we have all got good levels of.

But Vitamin D deficiency happens to be one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the world.⁴

According to the British Nutrition Foundation, 1 in 5 people in the UK have low Vitamin D levels, which are associated with a higher risk of poor musculoskeletal health, such as Rickets, Osteomalacia, falls and poor muscle strength.⁵

And the thing is, few people are aware of the fact they are deficient in it, so fail to recognise some of the common symptoms.⁶

Summary

• Just like adults, children and babies need vitamin D every day to stay healthy
• Vitamin D supplements for children can help to keep little ones healthy

What is Vitamin D good for?

Overall, Vitamin D is good for maintaining good bone, teeth and muscle health.⁷

Vitamin D for kids

Growing children need vitamin D to thrive.

However, it can be hard for some kids to get vitamin D through food alone, especially if they're a fussy eater and don't eat a varied diet.

Pair that with a not-so-sunny climate, and some children can be very susceptible to becoming deficient in vitamin D.⁸

That's why the NHS recommends that all children aged 1-4 years are given a 10ug vitamin D supplement.

Vitamin D for breastfed babies is important, they should be given a supplement containing 8.5-10mg of vitamin D, but we'll get on to that below.

Summary

• The NHS recommends that children aged 1-4 years are given a vitamin D supplement containing 10ug of vitamin D

How to give your child more Vitamin D

Fortified foods such as some breakfast cereals and orange juice contain extra Vitamin D. To read about the natural sources of vitamin D, have a read of this article, The best sources of vitamin D: Are you getting enough?

It would not hurt to give these to your child in place of non-fortified versions.

But the best way to boost your child's Vitamin D levels is to encourage them outside in the sunshine during bright sunlight.

If you are worried about the risks, remember that we only need 10 minutes of sunshine on exposed skin (arms, legs, faces and hands) to produce Vitamin D.

But what if your child spends a lot of time inside?

Perhaps school and after-school clubs prevent them from getting outside. Maybe they are not keen on outdoor play, or they do an indoor sport?

Government health guidelines recommend giving children a daily Vitamin D supplement (10 mcg) every day.

Summary

• Breakfast cereals, orange juice and other fortified foods can help your child get more vitamin D
• Getting outside in bright sunshine is the best way for kids to get vitamin D
• When the sun isn't shining, a 10mg vitamin D supplement can help top their vitamin D levels up

The best Vitamin D supplements for kids

It can be a little tricky to get kids to take their supplements!

But thankfully, manufacturers have found ways to make their products more fun and appealing to our little ones.

Here are some of the best vitamin D for toddlers and best vitamin D for kids:

Vitamin D dosage for kids

Children aged one to four years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10µg of vitamin D.⁸

However, it is recommended that everyone 4 years old + also considers taking a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months.

Worried about giving your child supplements?

Vitamin D supplements for children have been formulated with little bodies in mind and are perfectly healthy.

To put your mind at rest, read the label carefully so you are confident that you understand the dosage. Then, make sure to stick to the recommended dose and keep a careful note of when you give your baby the supplement.

Do not give your baby two supplements which contain Vitamin D (cod liver oil and vitamin drops, for example).

Summary

• Don't be worried about giving your children supplements, they have been designed with their unique needs in mind

Vitamin D for babies

It is essential for babies to get enough vitamin D to help their bones, muscles, teeth grow.

This is why it's recommended that breastfed babies are given a vitamin D supplement – even if their mother is taking a vitamin D supplement.

Babies who are fed infant formula should not be given a vitamin D supplement if they are drinking more than 500ml of infant formula a day, as it is fortified.

Summary

• Babies need vitamin D for healthy development
• Breast-fed babies need to take a supplement
• Formula-fed babies won't need to take a supplement

Vitamin D deficiency in babies

Babies are at risk of vitamin D deficiency as they will likely not be exposed to much sunlight or take in much vitamin D through their diets.

This is why it is recommended that breastfed babies are given a 8.5 – 10ug supplement.

However, babies who drink 500ml or more of infant formulas won't need to do this as the formula will have been fortified with vitamin D.

Summary

• Babies are at risk of vitamin D
• Breast-fed babies need to take a supplement
• Formula-fed babies won't need to take a supplement

How to give your baby more vitamin D

A lot of babies will not get adequate vitamin D from sunlight due to use of sunscreen, time spent indoors, and other barriers to vitamin D.

The only way to give your baby more vitamin D is to give them a supplement. If your baby is drinking infant formula, that will contain added vitamin D, so there is no need to give them an extra supplement.

Summary

• Baby vitamin D supplements and infant formulas are both ways to give your baby vitamin D

Best Vitamin D supplements for babies

There are some vitamin D supplements made specifically for babies, like vitamin D drops for infants. They have been designed to provide the perfect dose of vitamin D for infant's development.

Here are some of the best vitamin D for babies:

Why do babies need Vitamin D supplements?

90% of the Vitamin D in our bodies is produced in response to exposure to sunlight. Most babies are kept inside, or covered up, and sheltered from direct sunlight.

It is unlikely that your new baby gets enough sunshine on his or her skin to stimulate Vitamin D production.

The other 10% comes from a varied diet including oily fish, and very small babies won't be getting their hands on that!

Vitamin D dosage for babies

When it comes to Vitamin D for babies, Public Health England recommends that babies under one-year-old should be given a daily 8.5-10mcg vitamin D supplement.

However, babies who have more than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day do not need a vitamin D supplement, as formula is already fortified.

It is also advised that babies are exclusively breastfed until they are around the age of six months.⁹

Worried about giving your baby supplements?

Vitamin D supplements for babies have been formulated with little bodies in mind and are perfectly healthy.

To put your mind at rest, read the label carefully so you are confident that you understand the dosage.

Stick to the recommended dose and keep a careful note of when you give your baby the supplement. Do not give your baby two supplements which contain Vitamin D (cod liver oil and vitamin drops, for example).

Summary

• Don't be worried about giving your children supplements, they have been designed with their unique needs in mind

How is vitamin D deficiency treated?

Once you have spoken to your doctor about your concerns, they will run a blood test to confirm whether your child has the condition.

Children of different ages require different amounts of vitamin D per day and your doctor will be able to provide you with tailored advice and arrange follow-up appointments to check how things are going in the coming weeks and months.

Summary

• Vitamin D deficiency in children can result in softer bones, seizures, weak muscles and delayed growth
• Your doctor can run a blood test to see if your child's levels are low

Recommended daily Vitamin D levels – at a glance

We all need different levels of Vitamin D, which vary depending on how old we are.

• Breastfeeding babies up to the age of 1– should have a daily supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms (µg)¹⁰

• Babies that being fed infant formula – should not be given a vitamin D supplement if they are having more than 500ml of infant formula a day. Infant formula is fortified with Vitamin D and other nutrients¹¹
• Children aged from 1-4 – should be given a daily supplement that contains 10µg of Vitamin D12¹²

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Last updated: 27 July 2021

How Much Vitamin D Should Toddlers Have

Source: https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/vitamins-and-supplements/vitamins/vitamin-d/childrens-guide/

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