All babies need vitamin D to help their bones and teeth grow and develop. Babies who do not get enough vitamin D can get a painful disease called rickets, where the bones become soft and can bend and break easily.
How much vitamin D does my baby need?
- All breastfed/chestfed and formula fed babies need 400 IU of vitamin D a day.
- Your health care provider may recommend up to 800 IU every day. Giving more than this amount may not be safe for your baby.
How do I give vitamin D?
Vitamin D for babies comes in different forms. Directions on how to give each form are different.
Dropper form (400 IU per 1 ml):
- Remove the dropper from the bottle. Only use the dropper that came with the vitamin D bottle.
- Squeeze the top of the dropper and put it inside the bottle.
- Slowly let go of the dropper until the liquid is up to the line recommended on the dropper. This is 400 IU of vitamin D.
- Gently squirt the liquid into your baby’s mouth.
- Rinse the dropper before putting it back in the bottle.
- Do not give more than two droppers (2 ml) per day
D drop form (400 IU per drop):
- Remove the lid.
- Turn the bottle upside down. In a few seconds, a drop will fall out by itself. Do not shake the bottle.
- Put 1 drop (400 IU) onto mother’s nipple or a clean finger. Allow your baby to suck for at least 30 seconds.
- Do not give more than 2 drops per day
Store vitamin D drops upright and at room temperature.
Keep vitamin D out of your children’s reach.
For more information see this handout on how to give babies vitamin D drops.
If you have a nutrition or food question, call Dial-a-Dietitian Manitoba at 204-788-8248 in Winnipeg or 1-877-830-2892.
