Is your baby getting enough Vitamin D? Here’s how much they need every day.

Vitamin D is essential to babies’ health and development – but do you know if yours is getting enough?

Here’s why Vitamin D is so crucial for newborns and how you can ensure your baby gets enough of this essential nutrient.

Why do babies need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D helps strengthen your baby’s bones and teeth. If your baby doesn’t get enough Vitamin D, they could develop rickets. This disease causes babies to develop thin, weak bones that are vulnerable to fractures. Rickets can also soften your baby’s skull and lead to bowed legs.

Is breast milk enough?

Breast milk is a great source of nutrients for babies, but it doesn’t provide enough Vitamin D.

Will spending time in the sun help?

While sunshine is an important natural source of Vitamin D, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies under six months old not be exposed to direct sunlight.

How much Vitamin D do babies need?

If you breastfeed or partially breastfeed your baby, you should provide them with Vitamin D drops starting within the first few days of life. The AAP recommends a daily dose of 400 international units (IU). You can find these drops at many grocery stores and pharmacies. Be sure to use the dropper that comes with the drops.

Formula-fed babies need supplemental vitamin D until they are consuming 32 ounces of formula in a day. When they reach that point, formula-fed babies may not need this supplement because Vitamin D is often already added to formula, but you should double-check with your pediatrician to make sure your baby is getting enough.

How long do babies need Vitamin D drops?

You should continue to give your baby Vitamin D drops until they are able to drink fortified whole milk, which typically occurs when they reach one year of age. Ask your pediatrician for further guidelines on when you can stop giving Vitamin D drops.

To learn more, visit the Kentucky Children’s Hospital homepage.