Patient's question:
My baby is only two and a half months old. Because the weather is cold now, we can't go out to sunbathe. Everyone says that children should sunbathe often, as this can help with calcium supplementation and enhance their physical fitness. Thinking about it, there's some truth to that. We adults can't stay indoors all day either. We can't let our newborns become homebodies right from the start.What kind of help would you like: How many hours of sun exposure do infants and young children need per day? What time is best for sunbathing?
Doctor's answer:
One hour of daily sunlight exposure can help babies' blood vitamin D levels exceed the normal threshold. Approximately two hours of daily sunlight exposure are needed to reach higher levels.From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., it's all good to get some sun!
During winter, when outdoor temperatures are very low, if parents want to take their babies outside for sunlight exposure, they must do it gradually. Initially, many sessions may only last a few minutes, but gradually increase the time spent in the sun. Never expose babies to sunlight for one or two hours on the first try, as this can easily lead to them catching a cold.