February 22/Dublin, Ireland/BreakingNews.ie -- Parents in Ireland are being reminded to give their babies a daily vitamin D supplement.

All babies -- both breastfed or formula fed -- from birth to 12 months should take 5 micrograms of the vitamin daily, per advice from the country's Health Service Executive, the Food Safety Authority and the Department of Health and Children.

Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones but is present in very few foods. Severe and prolonged vitamin D deficiency can cause softening of the bones or bone deformities, known as Rickets in children.  

From the February 23, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News
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