To wonder whether my friend's advice is correct?

[AlwaysFeelingClueless]

I have a lovely, lovely friend who has a keen interest obsession with all things diet/health/food related and when we're together our conversation naturally wanders into these topic areas. She loves to share with me what she knows/thinks about healthy living, some things are interesting and useful, others I just shrug off as it's not a way in which I would like to live.

Over coffee at the weekend she has said a few things to me that have made me worry and I'm wondering whether the kind people of MN land could tell me whether I should follow the advice of my friend or just ignore it. I have an 8 month old and my friend has naturally taken an interest in the health of my (very healthy looking and happy) PFB.

1. My friend has said that I shouldn't put sun cream on my baby for the first 20-30 mins outside as a lack of vitamin D from the sun can be fatal. She says she read an article where a baby died because it's parents constantly slathered it with factor 50 and it didn't get enough exposure to the sun. (I did a quick google search and couldn't find any such article). I'm very fair skinned and will easily burn during 30 mins in the sun, pfb has my colouring so I'd worry about sunburn if I didn't use sun cream.

1. My friend is very keen on taking supplements for everything and is really surprised that I'm not giving my baby any additional supplements (especially vit D). My LO was combination fed for the first month then formula fed. Now my LO is having formula along side a fairly varied diet (we're about 6 weeks into weaning). LO is thriving, is tall and big for her age and shows no visible signs of lacking anything. Should my LO be on vitamin supplements?

I feel a bit stupid asking these things, as though they are things I should just know but unfortunately I don't. I'd rather not bother my HV/GP so any advice would be appreciate. Is my friend's advice correct?

Thanks!

I think your friend is well meaning. With regards to suncream some of them do contain strong ingredients and my personal tactic is to cover up as much as possible ("wetsuit" swimsuits, hats all the time, T-shirts, etc.) to avoid having to apply too much suncream, also not staying outdoors for long periods.
With regards to supplements personally I do not think that babies need these at all unless of course your doctor has recommended otherwise. The nutrients she needs will be provided by her milk and food. Most importantly, you say that she is happy and healthy so that is overwhelming proof that you are doing the right things.

Ignore the 'friend'.

I have fair skin. Burns. Hurts. You can still get vitamin D with sun block on.

Don't give a baby supplements. I don't think you can even get supplements for babies. A varied diet is fine.

Do not leave your child alone with your friend. Classic case of 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing'...

Your friend's advice sounds like utter crap to me. A child dying from sun cream use would have been pretty big news!
I never gave vitamin supplements to any of my five children; they are all tall, fit and healthy and doing well (or did well) in school.
Your DD sounds very healthy as she is and you are looking after her beautifully.

With the sun you just need a healthy balance between enough sunlight to get vit d but not so much as to burn/tan.

It will also depends on skin tone and where in the country you are.

As for supplements they fortify formula don't they?

""Don't give a baby supplements. I don't think you can even get supplements for babies.""

The Children's Center that I am connected with gives out multi vitamin drops, from six months old.

Most foods are fortified, though.

The advice is to let your child have at least fifteen minutes of sun exposure.

It's personal choice.

In any random testing they have found that most children are slightly lacking in vitamins, animo acids etc, but not to a level that they know will make any difference.

The levels are set as the ideal, throughout history we have probably never taken in what we should of.

There is an interesting thread in chat about Vit D, lots of people on there seem to be taking supplements.

Thank you everyone for your responses and reassurance, I'll stop worrying now! My friend is trying to help but I don't think she realises how she makes me worry some times! She doesn't have any children so she may not realise what is in formula and wrt sun exposure, I think it'll just carry on as I am! I know far too well the pain of sunburn! (I do cover my LO up, unless it's really hot then it's shorts, baby-friendly sun cream & a parasol over the pram).

Thanks again!

Thanks Birds, I'll have a look at that thread.

The problem is called rickets and is generally a problem for dark-skinned people under Northern skies. Protect your light-skinned baby.

There are vitamins in formula, and according to the NHS website you can get vitamin D from:

oily fish, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel
eggs
fortified fat spreads
fortified breakfast cereals
powdered milk

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/safety-in-the-sun.aspx

This is the Nhs advice and it's all pointing to keep babies out of the sun and using sun cream.

Ignore your friend.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/vitamins-for-children.aspx

The nhs advice for vitamins is to use them.

I don't know whether your baby is at risk of Vit D deficiency or not. But I will say that most sunscreens recommend that you apply them 20 or 30 minutes before sun exposure. So if you put sunscreen on after 20 minutes in the sun, your DC would be exposed to burning rays for much longer than just the initial 20 minutes. Skin cancer is a huge risk and most damage that leads to cancer happens in childhood.

If you have any concerns about Vit D, then speak to your HCP.