10 Best Vitamin D Drops for Babies (Dietitian Approved)

As a new parent, I was preoccupied thinking about everything I needed to do for my newborn baby and almost forgot about vitamin D! I knew I wanted to try breastfeeding and that vitamin D was important for exclusively breastfed babies. The 10 best vitamin D drops for babies and their Amazon links are shown below, including the one that I’ve been using throughout my baby’s first year.

Are baby vitamin D drops necessary?
How much vitamin D does my baby need?
- How much vitamin D do breastfed babies need?
- How much vitamin D do babies fed infant formula need?
Benefits of vitamin D
Types of vitamin D
10 Best Vitamin D Drops for Babies
FAQS: Baby Vitamin D

Are baby vitamin D drops necessary?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all exclusively breastfed babies and babies fed a combination of breastmilk and formula who are under 1 year of age should receive vitamin D supplementation each day starting shortly after birth. This is to prevent rickets (brittle bones due to vitamin D deficiency) and to ensure all babies have adequate vitamin D levels. Your baby’s need for vitamin supplements depends on their specific needs. You may want to talk to your baby’s doctor for recommendations.

How much vitamin D does my baby need?

The AAP recommends infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D supplementation each day starting shortly after birth to prevent vitamin D deficiency. IU stands for international units. Vitamin D can also be measured in micrograms (mcg). 10 mcg is equal to 400 IU.

How much vitamin D do breastfed babies need?

Breastfed infants and infants fed a combination of breastmilk and formula will need a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU starting shortly after birth through 12 months of age once vitamin D fortified milk can be offered as a drink. Breastfed babies need supplementation due to breast milk being naturally low in vitamin D.

If you don’t want to supplement your baby with vitamin D and you are exclusively breastfeeding, you may be in luck. There is research showing that mothers who take high doses of vitamin D in the form of dietary supplements may pass enough vitamin D to their babies through breastmilk.

According to studies, breastfeeding mothers transferred enough vitamin D to their babies through breastmilk when their mothers were taking 6400 IU of vitamin D per day. However, there is not enough research to determine a safe vitamin D dose for breastfeeding mothers and infant supplementation is still the preferred choice.

How much vitamin D do babies fed infant formula need?

Exclusively formula-fed infants do not need a vitamin D supplement. Infant formula sold in the United States is fortified with a minimum of 400 IU/L of vitamin D3.

Benefits of vitamin D

Vitamin D is a nutrient and hormone that our bodies can make through direct sunlight or get through food and supplements. The human body uses vitamin D to make strong bones and teeth. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and phosphorus from food and supplements which is used in the making of bone teeth. Having adequate vitamin D levels helps build and upkeep a healthy immune system too.

Types of vitamin D

There are two types of vitamin D in food and supplements, vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is often found in plant sources and vitamin D3 is in animal sources. You’ll want to choose a vitamin D3 supplement for your baby because it is more easily absorbed by the body.

10 Best Vitamin D Drops for Babies

All of these baby vitamin D supplements are third party tested and in the vitamin D3 form. They are flavorless or use natural flavoring. I personally like the unflavored drops that provide the full 400 IU of vitamin D to meet your baby’s needs in one drop. Some of these require you to use two drops or one spray option if you prefer.

The liquid forms of vitamin D are often in a medium chain triglyceride oil such as olive or coconut oil or in sunflower oil which provide additional fats that your growing baby needs. I use Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3 and my baby and I have loved it. My only complaint is that it can be slow to get the drop out and a dropper would be faster. Here are my top baby vitamin D picks:

FAQS: Baby Vitamin D

Is my baby at risk of vitamin D deficiency?

Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in babies include breastfed babies who aren’t getting vitamin D supplementation, premature babies, babies with a darker skin tone, and medical conditions including cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, or kidney and liver diseases. Vitamin D is not absorbed as easily in people with these diseases. Babies are at an increased risk because they are often out of direct sunlight too.

Signs of vitamin D deficiency in babies

Vitamin D plays a role in bone development and healthy growth. Signs that your baby may not be getting an adequate amount of vitamin D are muscle weakness, cramps, bone pain, tired or depressed mood, and in extreme cases, rickets (thin, deformed bones, and bowing legs).

These signs may be difficult to see in a baby who can’t say exactly how they’re feeling. Babies may have low vitamin D if they’re fussy and uncomfortable when doing physical activities or if they are not meeting growth milestones.

It can be difficult to spot vitamin D deficiency. Talk to your baby’s pediatrician if you have concerns and would like your baby’s vitamin D level checked.

How to choose the best vitamin D drops for babies

Since baby vitamin D drops are dietary supplements, they aren’t regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Choose a third party tested, liquid form that contains the recommended 400 IU of vitamin D3, and has no artificial flavorings (or preferably no flavoring at all). You may also ask your health care provider for recommendations.

Vitamin D drops for babies will be in a carrier oil which is often olive oil, coconut oil, or sunflower oil. These oils are not common allergens.

Which brand is the best baby vitamin D?

There is no one best baby vitamin D drop. Choose a third party tested, liquid form that contains the recommended 400 IU of vitamin D3, and has no artificial flavorings (or preferably no flavoring at all). My favorite brands are Baby Ddrops, Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D, and Carlson Baby’s Super Daily D.

Can my baby get too much vitamin D?

Yes, babies can get too much vitamin D if you do not follow the correct dosage for your baby vitamin D. Most baby vitamin D supplements are in a liquid form and recommend giving 1 or 2 drops, but check your baby vitamin D dosing recommendation.

Do babies get vitamin D from breast milk?

Babies do get some vitamin D through breast milk. However, the amount depends on the mother’s vitamin D status which is highly variable. Even if the mother is taking prenatal vitamins that contain 400 IU of vitamin D, her milk will not contain enough for her baby. This is why it’s recommended breastfed infants receive a vitamin D supplement.

What happens if I don’t give my baby vitamin D?

If you are exclusively breastfeeding or giving your baby a combination of breastmilk and formula, and do not give your baby vitamin D, it is possible your baby will become vitamin D deficient. This can cause your baby’s bone health and immunity to suffer and cause symptoms like muscle weakness, cramps, bone pain, tired or depressed mood, and rickets in extreme cases.

How long do I need to give my baby vitamin D?

Babies need 400 IU of vitamin D per day starting soon after birth and if being exclusively breastfed. Babies should continue to receive vitamin D until they are 12 months of age and are having vitamin D-fortified whole milk to drink.

Can newborns have vitamin D drops?

Yes, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all exclusively breastfed and combination fed newborn babies begin taking liquid vitamin D supplements soon after birth.

The best way my baby can get enough vitamin D

Vitamin D has been called the sunshine vitamin because the most efficient way of getting vitamin D is through direct sun exposure. However, the American Academy of pediatrics and the American Cancer Society agree that babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Many factors affect a person’s ability to make vitamin D including:

skin tone
degree of latitude (location)
season
cloud cover
air pollution
amount of skin exposed
use of ultraviolet light protection (sunscreen, protective clothing)

Foods that have vitamin D

Few foods contain vitamin D naturally. Fatty fish like salmon, trout, some tuna, and mackerel are one of the best sources of vitamin D. However, the animal’s diet affects the amount of vitamin D it contains. Beef liver, egg yolks, and some mushrooms contain small amounts of vitamin D. Most people get vitamin D through fortified foods like milk, orange juice, and cereal.

When do I need to give my baby vitamin D drops?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends to give your baby a daily vitamin D supplement within the first days of life if you are exclusively breastfeeding.

How do I give my baby vitamin D drops?

First read the label on whatever vitamin D you purchase for specific recommendations. The most common ways to give vitamin D drops are to:

put a drop in your baby’s bottle of breast milk or formula
apply a drop on your nipple right before breastfeeding
drop directly into your baby’s mouth

What happens if a vitamin D drop gets in my baby’s eyes or nose?

If a vitamin D drop lands in your baby’s eye or nose it may cause discomfort and irritation but is not likely to be dangerous. Call your baby’s health care provider for medical advice if needed.