HSE: Extra vitamin D vital for babies’ bones

PARENTS who ignore HSE calls to ensure their babies are given a daily vitamin D supplement are putting their children at risk of developing serious, debilitating bone deformities, it has been claimed.

Ireland’s chief specialist in public health nutrition, Dr Mary Flynn, has warned parents must start ensuring their offspring receive the daily dose to support growing bones — regardless of whether their babies are being breast-fed or not.

In a detailed statement sent out by the HSE, the Department of Health and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), Dr Flynn said all children under the age of 12 months, both breast-fed and formula-fed, should be given a 5 microgram supplement of vitamin D.