Vitamin D is pivotal for kids' overall health & well being. Early emerging research states that Vitamin D is pivotal for overall health & wellness.
Simply put, Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. Two main types are Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Sources of D2 and D3 are different, but let's talk about the naturally available free source to everyone on the earth. Yes, SUN is a natural source of Vitamin D3.
>> Vitamin D is pivotal for the development of bones among little ones. Calcium is essential for bones & Vitamin D helps in the absorption of Calcium.
>> Sunlight can help the production of white blood cells, which helps to fight infections and diseases. Ultimately, sunlight supports the immune system.
>> Sunlight can help the production of serotonin, which is linked with releasing a good mood. A good serotonin level helps in regulating good mood and sleep.
>> Sunlight is natural & it is helpful for little ones to stimulate the visual system.
It is required to know that sunlight is good, but excessive is also not good and sunlight during the peak time is also not good. Sunlight is not the same throughout the day, the best time is early morning when sunlight is not hard.
Undoubtedly, sunlight is a great and natural source of Vitamin D. But peak hours of sunlight can cause sunburn or even heat stroke. Usually, from 10 am to 4 pm, sunlight is harder on the skin (depending on the geography and season).
So for kids, the best time is early morning when the sunlight is mild on the skin. In the case of infants, instead of direct sunlight, make the baby sleep in a room where you get sun rays early morning. There are no guidelines but exposure to sunlight between 5 to 15 minutes a few days a week is good.
There is no rocket science, however, because of the geography, deficiency level, skin allergies, etc it is good to consult a pediatrician for personalized advice.