Vitamin D, whatever the weather

Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin; however it can be difficult for children to get the vitamin D they need from this natural source. This is because, although our bodies can produce it when the sun shines on our skin, in Ireland we don't get enough of the right UV rays to provide us with enough vitamin D. And since children’s delicate skin needs sun protection to prevent skin damage, this can reduce the amount of vitamin D they produce.

It is only possible to get vitamin D from a few foods, like salmon, other oily fish, egg yolk and foods with added vitamin D. Unfortunately, despite their health benefits many little ones don't find these foods that yummy. This means that, on average in Ireland, 70% - 84% of young children aged 1-4 are getting less than half their recommended daily vitamin D.

The Department of Health recommends that all children aged 1 to 4 years need a vitamin D supplement during the winter. This is because they can't get enough from the sun or their diet in these months. 1-4 year olds should receive a daily supplement of vitamin D (5µg) from Halloween to St Patrick’s Day.

Vitamin D helps their little bodies take in and use calcium, to help support their growing bones! As well as being important for the healthy growth and development of children's bones and teeth, there is also growing concern that low vitamin D status may contribute to a range of chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, mellitus, and some inflammatory and autoimmune disease.

Cow & Gate Toddler Milk is specially formulated to help meet the nutritional needs of your little one, providing them with hard-to-get nutrients such as vitamin D and iron when used as part of a balanced, healthy diet.