Vitamin D Drops for Infants' That Will Help With Healthy Growth and Bone Development
Looking for Vitamin D drops for your breastfed babies? Vitamin D is crucial for building strong bones. Here are our top picks.
As a new parent, you're probably doing everything you can to ensure your baby has a healthy start. Besides ensuring that your baby gets enough to drink, eat, and sleep, you may be wondering whether there's anything else they might need — and that's vitamin D supplement for babies.
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for everyone. It helps in the absorption of calcium and is important for building strong, sturdy bones. Most babies don't get enough nutrition from breast milk or formula on their own.
That's where a vitamin comes in. Vitamin D drops are the best form of Vitamin D for infants. They are recommended for breastfeeding and formula-fed babies who consume less than 32 ounces of milk daily.
Most vitamin D supplement sold in the U. S. is safe for infants. If I were to buy a supplement, I'd ensure it had 400 IU of vitamin D, the recommended daily dose, and that there were no other ingredients.
How We Chose the Best Vitamin D Drops for Infants
We selected the best vitamin D drops based on these criteria:
Price: Vitamin D drops come in a variety of prices that can fit any budget.
Third-party testing: testing ensures that the supplement is safe and accurately labeled, so choose one that has been tested by an independent lab.
Ingredients: Some ingredients may contain artificial additives and sweeteners that some parents may wish not to use. Look for one that has few ingredients.
Experts view: We asked board-certified pediatricians for their opinion on the nutrient needs of babies. We looked at scientific studies and referred to AAP recommendations.
Review: We've reviewed every product we include to ensure that it meets our medical and business standards.
We independently research, review and recommend what we think are the best products that meet your needs. If you buy a product through one of our retail links, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Nordic Naturals uses organic extra virgin olive oils as a carrier oil, and the droppers make dosing a breeze. Best of all, one bottle contains a 365-day single drop supply, so you’ll only need to buy it one time.
The Nordic Naturals formula is unflavored, tasteless drop, but the extra virgin olive oil itself can have an assertive taste compared to others.
Your baby needs vitamin D for healthy bones, immune function & healthy sleep rhythms. Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D that our bodies naturally make from sunlight & the easiest to absorb.
Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 contains 400 IU of daily Vitamin D requirements. Direct sunlight exposure isn't recommended for babies & supplementing makes sure your baby is getting enough of this nutrient.
Since 1965, Carlson’s Lab has been creating products rigorously tested by a laboratory — reassuring for parents to know! Another high-quality option for providing your baby with the recommended daily dose of 400 IU of vitamin D is Carlson's Lab Baby's Vitamin D Super Daily. Vitamin D3 is important in promoting heart function and supporting muscle health.
Carlson Baby's Super Daily D3 400 IU (10 mcg) drops help baby's to effectively absorb calcium, which is crucial for bone growth. With Carlson Baby's Super Daily D3 drops you can conveniently place a drop in your infants' mouth or formula, or use it while breastfeeding. Carlson Baby's Super Daily is a bit more expensive than some other brands, but it has a full year's supply of drops, so it's a good deal overall.
Award-winning Baby Ddrops dietary supplement is certified non-GMO, easy-to-use liquid drop, and is parent tested and approved. They’re made with just two naturally sourced ingredients, pure vitamin D3 and fractionated coconut oil. It is free of harmful ingredients, artificial additives, artificial flavors, and preservatives. The flavorless formula makes it safe for babies, and the dye-free formula means it's less likely to leave stains.
This is 100% certified organic, natural ingredients that provide 100% of your baby's daily Vitamin D in just one drop. It's widely available and made with simple ingredients, including organic MCT oil, and Vitamin D. It's free from artificial flavors or additives and artificial preservatives.
Dr. Zak Zarbock founded Zarbee's Natural Vitamins, which makes a vitamin D supplement specifically designed for babies for healthy growth. Formulated with safe, handpicked wholesome ingredients, from vitamins that help support immune systems to cough syrups that soothe, powerful natural ingredients like dark honey, elderberry, & agave form the backbone of Zarbee's products.
With this supplement, the dropper syringe is included in the bottle so you can administer the supplement directly into your child's mouth or mix it with breast milk or formula.
Do All Babies Need Vitamin D Drops?
We know about the benefits of Vitamin D for bone health and proper growth, but Vitamin D also has potential benefits for our mental health, immune functions, healthy bones, healthy teeth, and brain development.
The AAP recommends that babies receive 400 IU of vitamin d daily. Infants younger than 6 months old should limit exposure to sunlight because they're too young to have direct sun exposure.
If you're giving your baby formula sold in the US, it's fortified with sufficient vitamin D that supplement is not necessary. If you're exclusively breastfeeding or feeding less than 32 oz (946 mL) per day, your doctor recommends giving your baby a supplement.
Even though breast milk is considered the perfect food for your baby, it may not contain enough vitamin D to meet your baby's needs. If you're breastfeeding, you might want to consider taking a supplement.
Vitamin D is found naturally in many foods. A great source of Vitamin D includes fatty fish, egg yolks, and mushrooms. However, these foods shouldn't be given to babies until they're old enough to eat solid foods.
Talk to your baby's doctor about your needs. If your baby doesn't get adequate vitamins, he or she may be at risk for Vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D deficiency is a condition that causes problems with bone development. More research is linking vitamin D deficiency to chronic illness and disease in children.
Baby Vitamin D Drops FAQs
How old should my baby be before taking vitamin D drops?
Breastfed infants who are fed exclusively should receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily from the first few days of life until they are 12 months of age. Breastfeeding mothers should give their babies 400 IU of vitamin D per day until they start drinking 1 quart (1 L), or until they reach 12 months of life.
Pediatricians recommend all breastfed to take vitamin D drops for healthy growth and development. If a baby is formula-fed, there is no need for additional nutrition if they are consuming at least 8 ounces (236 mL) of milk per day.
What is the best way to give baby vitamin D drops?
You typically administer vitamin D liquid drops by placing a drop directly onto the nipple of the breast (or bottle) as you begin to feed the baby. However, instructions may differ by product, so it’s always a good idea to check the label before using it.
Are all vitamin D drops safe?
Vitamin D drops are considered safe by the American Academy of Pediatrics, but not all vitamin D supplements are created equal. Talk with your pediatrician before using a new product and check out products that have been third-party tested to ensure safety.
How is Vitamin D drops given?
Vitamin D drops come in liquid form or little droppers or squeeze bottles. You should place organic Vitamin D drops onto nipples or pacifiers. They are safe, if you follow the instructions on the label of the product, you won't be doing any harm.
How do I know if my baby needs vitamin D drops?
If your child is younger than 1 and is breastfeeding or is formula-fed, she needs a vitamin D supplement, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
What is the daily recommendation for vitamin D?
The daily intake for babies under 1-year-old should be 400 IU of vitamin D, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Depending on the liquid formulation you buy, that likely corresponds to a 0.5 to 1 mL dose of vitamin D. Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging.
Are there any dangers to getting too much vitamin D?
Infants need 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D intake. More isn't necessarily better. High doses can be toxic and may cause nausea, rashes, or more serious symptoms. Measure out your baby's dose and stick with one dose per day.
What if a drop lands in my baby's nose or eye?
It's unlikely that a single splash will cause any harm. If you notice any kind of eye irritation after using the product, contact your doctor.
Best Baby Vitamin D Drops for Your Baby
Breastfeeding mothers and infants who consume less than 32 ounces (about 946 mL) of infant formula per day should take vitamin D supplements.
There are so many infant vitamins available that you might want to look for one that fits your price range, is third-party tested, and has no unwanted ingredients. It's always a good idea before starting Vitamin D supplementation to consult a health care professional.