Sunbathing properly
Sunlight is the most important source of natural vitamin D. Newborns can start sunbathing in the second week after birth. The ideal time to sunbathe is before 8am and after 4pm, lasting 15 to 30 minutes a day. When sunbathing, your baby's skin should be exposed to direct sunlight, avoid covering too much. However, it should be noted that sunbathing must be done safely to avoid the risk of skin damage.
Supplementing foods rich in vitamin D
Diet plays an important role in providing vitamin D to children. Foods rich in vitamin D include salmon, herring, sardines, egg yolks, yogurt, cheese and cereals. For children who have started eating solid foods, adding these foods to their daily diet will help increase the amount of vitamin D they need.
Using vitamin D supplements
In some cases, vitamin D supplementation through sunbathing and diet may not be enough, especially for children with little exposure to sunlight or an assortment of diet.
According to Dr. Bruce W. Hollis, Director of Pediatric Nutrition Sciences at South Carolina Medical University (USA), newborns need to be supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D per day from the first days after birth. He also emphasized that direct supplementation for children is the simplest and most effective way to ensure adequate vitamin D intake.
Notes on dosage and timing of supplementation
Vitamin D supplementation needs to follow the recommended dosage to avoid the risk of deficiency or excess. For fully-fledged babies, 400 IU of vitamin D should be supplemented every day from birth until they know and are more exposed to sunlight. For children who drink formula, if their daily milk intake is less than 1 liter, they need to supplement vitamin D according to the doctor's instructions. Supplementation should continue until children can get enough vitamin D through diet and exposure to sunlight. Reversal
Ensuring adequate vitamin D supply for children aged 0 - 4 is an important factor in helping children develop healthily. Combining sunbathing properly, a reasonable diet and taking supplements when necessary will help maintain optimal vitamin D levels for the comprehensive development of children. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplements to ensure safety and effectiveness.
