India gets more sunshine than almost anywhere on earth. And yet Vitamin D deficiency affects an estimated 70 to 90 percent of Indians, including infants and young children. This paradox is explained by a combination of factors that are specific to Indian lifestyle and geography.
Why Indian Babies Are Deficient Despite the Sun
The melanin in darker skin requires longer sun exposure to synthesise the same amount of Vitamin D as lighter skin. Most Indian babies spend their first months primarily indoors, sheltered from the Indian sun that is considered too harsh for young skin. Traditional Indian practice involves keeping babies well-covered and out of direct sunlight. Breastfed babies depend on their mother's Vitamin D status, and Indian breastfeeding mothers are themselves highly likely to be deficient. Air pollution in Indian cities filters UV radiation, reducing effective sun exposure even when outdoors.
Why Vitamin D Matters for Babies
Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone development. Severe Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets — soft, weakened bones that can bow under body weight. Rickets was thought to be a historical disease but is seeing a resurgence in India. Beyond bones, Vitamin D supports immune function, muscle development, and brain health.
How to Get Vitamin D
Sunlight — 15 to 20 minutes of morning sun (before 10am) on the face and arms without sunscreen, 3 to 4 times per week, provides meaningful Vitamin D in older babies and toddlers. Morning sun is less harsh and more appropriate for Indian conditions. However, sunlight cannot be relied upon as the sole source in Indian conditions given the factors above.
Vitamin D supplements — the Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends Vitamin D supplementation for all breastfed babies from the first week of life until at least 12 months. The recommended dose is 400 IU (International Units) per day. Vitamin D drops (like Adrop or similar products) are widely available at Indian pharmacies without prescription. This is one supplement that is genuinely warranted for virtually all Indian breastfed babies.
Formula-fed babies — commercial infant formula is fortified with Vitamin D and babies taking at least 500ml formula per day typically get adequate Vitamin D from it. Supplementation is generally not needed for formula-fed babies.
Food sources — egg yolk, oily fish, and fortified foods contain Vitamin D but in amounts insufficient to meet an infant's needs without sun or supplementation.
Testing and Treatment
If you are concerned about Vitamin D status, a blood test (25-OH Vitamin D) gives a definitive answer. Ask your paediatrician. Levels below 20 ng/ml are deficient and require treatment doses. Levels between 20 and 30 are insufficient and benefit from supplementation. Levels above 30 are sufficient.