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Posted by Doctor Phan Thi Cam Van - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital
Sunbathing for babies helps children synthesize vitamin D and avoid rickets. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium well, plays an important role in keeping bones and teeth strong.
1. Role of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for the body, divided into 2 main types:
Vitamin D2: derived from food, accounting for about 10% -20% Vitamin D3: synthesized when the skin is exposed to sunlight sky, accounting for about 80-90%. Vitamin D plays an important role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestines. When vitamin D is deficient, the body will mobilize calcium from the bones, making the bones soft and deformed, causing rickets in children and osteoporosis in adults. In addition, Vitamin D is also effective in supporting immunity.
Thời gian tắm nắng thích hợp cho trẻ từ 06 giờ đến 09 giờ sáng
2. Sunbathing and vitamin D synthesis
Sunlight contains UVB rays that stimulate vitamin D precursors. Therefore, sunbathing helps the body synthesize Vitamin D3. However, sunbathing for babies must be done properly to have the desired effect.
Suitable sunbathing time for children is from 6am to 9am and after 4pm, when the radiation is low, it causes little damage to the skin, and at the same time enhances the body's metabolism.
This time period may fluctuate from day to day, from season to season, depending on weather conditions.
The appropriate sunbathing time for children is from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, avoiding direct sunlight on the child's head, face and eyes. You can wear a hat but avoid using sunscreen because it reduces the effect of the body's metabolism when exposed to the sun. If on a cold day, you can let the child wear socks, scarf, and sunbathe the calves, thighs, wings and forearms.
Should let the skin be in direct contact and let the baby's skin get used to the sun. Let children get used to the first day can be 10 minutes, gradually increase to 20 minutes but not more than 30 minutes a day.
Locations for sunbathing should choose a cool, fresh, low-pollution location, avoiding strong drafts.
Vitamin D giữ vai trò quan trọng trong việc hấp thu canxi và phospho từ ruột
3. Supplement vitamin D3 for children
Proper newborn sunbathing can provide about 80-90% of the body's vitamin D needs.
However, in winter, the weather is less sunny plus parents often let children wear closed clothes, rarely go out, so sunbathing will be limited.
Therefore, vitamin D3 should be supplemented, children's daily vitamin D3 needs from 400-1000 UI per day.
The current health organizations recommend that infants fed breast milk or formula milk less than 1 liter/day supplement with Vitamin D3 for children at a dose of 400UI/day, which will be good for bone development. at the same time limit the risk of skin damage caused by prolonged exposure to the sun.
If you are worried that your baby may be deficient in Vitamin D, and are not sure how Vitamin D3 should be given to your child, you should consult your pediatrician.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE.
MORE:
How long after birth can babies sunbathe? Instructions for correct sunbathing to supplement vitamin D for children Correct understanding of sunbathing - vitamin D - rickets - jaundice
