Why Give Vitamin D?

A young child in a red outfit with white polka dots, sticking their tongue out

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):  

  1. Remove the dropper from the bottle. Only use the dropper that came with the vitamin D bottle.  
  2. Squeeze the top of the dropper and put it inside the bottle.  
  3. 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.  
  4. Gently squirt the liquid into your baby’s mouth.  
  5. Rinse the dropper before putting it back in the bottle.  
  6. Do not give more than two droppers (2 ml) per day 
An amber vitamin d bottle and a dropper

D drop form (400 IU per drop):  

  1. Remove the lid.  
  2. Turn the bottle upside down. In a few seconds, a drop will fall out by itself. Do not shake the bottle.  
  3. Put 1 drop (400 IU) onto mother’s nipple or a clean finger. Allow your baby to suck for at least 30 seconds.  
  4. Do not give more than 2 drops per day 
vitamin d drops
vitamin d drops

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