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Why do we need Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bone development. If children don’t get enough Vitamin D they can develop a painful bone condition known as rickets. If pregnant women have low Vitamin D levels, they can pass the deficiency on to their child. New mothers need to recharge their Vitamin D levels, particularly if breast feeding.
Why do we need supplements?
Nearly all of our Vitamin D comes from the sun. Only a tiny amount (10%) comes from the food we eat, even if we have a healthy diet. This means that in climates such as ours, it can be very difficult to get enough Vitamin D, especially in winter and for people with dark or pigmented skin.
What is rickets?
Local research suggests that the number of children suffering from rickets is increasing. Rickets softens bones in children and can lead to fractures and deformity. Muscle development may also be affected. Symptoms include:
• Bone pains, often in the legs
• Muscle pains or weakness
• Soft skull or leg bones (‘bow-legs’)
• Weak teeth and delayed growth of teeth
When rickets is very severe, it can cause low levels of calcium in the blood, leading to muscle cramps, seizures and breathing difficulties.
Are the supplements safe?
There are no known side effects and a very low risk of overdose. If you are still concerned ask your Health Visitor, Midwife or GP.
Vitamin D supplements are free for pregnant women, new mums and children under 5. Visit your local Health Centre or Children’s Centre to get your free supply.
Pregnant women
By maintaining healthy Vitamin D levels during pregnancy you can help give your child the best possible start. Your midwife will advise you where you can get your first supply of vitamins from and answer any questions. Tablets for women also contain Vitamin C and Folic Acid.
New Mothers (first 12 months after the birth)
New mums need to recharge their Vitamin D levels, particularly if breast feeding.
Under 5s
Vitamin D drops can be given to children from as early as one month old. You will receive them free of charge from your health visitor as part of your 2-week visit. The vitamin drops will also give your baby essential vitamin A and vitamin C. Doctors advise that these supplements should continue until your child is 5 years old.
The Shine Vitamin D supplement scheme makes it quick, easy and completely safe to top up your child’s Vitamin D intake as part of your daily care routine.
FREE from Health Centres and Children's Centres
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Pregnancy
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New mums
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Under 5s
How to take Vitamin D
Children’s Vitamin Drops:
Dose: 5 drops daily from one month old
Directions:
1. Shake the bottle
2. Unscrew the cap
3. Turn bottle vertically upside down
4. To ensure correct dosage: tap the base of the bottle until drops form and catch onto a spoon
Vitamin tablets for women:
Take one tablet with water everyday
What if I miss a day?
Don’t worry if you forget to take a supplement. Simply carry on taking as normal as soon as you remember. Try and make Vitamin D part of your daily routine – perhaps after breakfast?
What should I do when I run out?
Visit your local Health Centre or Children’s Centre for further supplies. Remember to take your red book (children and new mums) or midwifery notes (pregnant women).
Supplements will ensure that your child gets enough Vitamin D.
But there are other simple ways you can help your children stay topped up:
Sunshine: Most of our Vitamin D comes from the sun. However, being in the sun for too long can lead to health problems and the risk of skin cancer. Just 15-30 minutes spent outside a few days per week in the summer (between 10am and 3pm) is enough. Afterwards, remember to put your sunscreen on as normal.
People with dark skin absorb less sunlight and therefore need to spend more time in the sun to generate enough Vitamin D.
Diet: Only 10% of our Vitamin D comes from our diet, but the following foods will help keep levels topped up: eggs, oily fish (salmon, mackerel, trout) margarine and fortified breakfast cereals (check the box).
