Why is Vitamin D so important / what does it do?
Everyone knows the importance of calcium for building strong bones, as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle. However, Vitamin D is also crucial to help get the most out of the calcium we eat.

Vitamin D is crucial for helping the body maximise absorption of calcium from the foods we eat. The more calcium the body can absorb, the stronger the bones will become. The importance of Vitamin D in early childhood has been highlighted by the government and recommendation that all children - from weaning to 5 years, should be given Vitamin Drops, which contain Vitamin D.*

How much Vitamin D is needed by the body?
It is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin as it is made in our skin when we are outside in summer sunlight. In the UK this only happens from April until September, as the sun’s rays are not strong enough in the winter months. Most of our vitamin D is made in our skin this way and very few foods contain vitamin D. Babies and young children may not make enough vitamin D in their skin and need to take vitamin drops* to make sure they are getting enough.

Vitamin D containing foods:
Excellent source - Oily fish – salmon, pilchards, sardines.

• A little in eggs, red meat and liver
• Fortified foods
• Formula milk
• Some baby foods
• Margarine
• Petits Filous Fromage Frais
• Petits Filous Yogurt
• Processed cheese triangles/strips
• A handful of fortified breakfast cereals – look at the nutrition panel on pack

* Please discuss with your Health Visitor or GP about appropriate vitamin drops for your 0-5 year old.