Vitamin D

What Does Vitamin D Do?

Vitamin D helps your child build strong bones and prevent rickets. Rickets is a condition of softening of the bones that can occur in growing children.

When Does My Child Need Vitamin D? And How Much?

All children need vitamin D beginning shortly after birth.

Children younger than 12 months old need 400 IUof vitamin D each day.
Children 12 to 24 months old need 600 IU of vitamin D each day.

How Can I Make Sure My Child is Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Did You Know?

Fortified cow’s milk is not recommended for children younger than 12 months old.

It may put your baby at risk for intestinal bleeding.

For babies who are receiving any breast milk:

Breast milk usually does not provide all the vitamin D a baby needs, so breastfed babies will need a supplemental source. Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse about giving your child over-the-counter vitamin D drops. These drops contain enough vitamin D (400 IU each day).

For babies who are receiving infant formula:

The amount of infant formula your child drinks per day can depend on your child’s age.
32 ounces of standard infant formula per day contains 400 IU of vitamin D. If your baby is drinking less than this amount per day, he or she may need a vitamin D supplement.
Talk with your child’s doctor or nurse if you would like help making sure your child is getting enough vitamin D from the infant formula you use.

For children who have started eating solid foods:

Did You Know?

Fortified cow’s milk is a great source of vitamin D for children over 12 months old.

Most cow’s milk sold in stores is fortified with vitamin D. Talk to your child’s doctor or nurse about vitamin D at your child’s next check-up.

Make sure your child’s diet has foods with vitamin D. Some examples of foods with vitamin D include:

Some fish (for example, salmon or light canned tuna).
Eggs.
Vitamin D-fortifiedproducts like cow’s milk (for children 12 months and older), yogurt, cereals, and some juices.

Vitamin D supplements are another way to help children get enough vitamin D every day. Talk with your doctor or nurse about vitamin D at your child’s next check-up if you have questions.

Learn more about vitamin D and sunlight for your baby.

For more information on vitamin D, check out the American Academy of Pediatrics Vitamin D Recommendation .