Does My Baby Need a Vitamin D Supplement?

Article at a Glance
• Study finds that formula-fed babies under six months old and all breastfed babies need a vitamin D supplement.
• Vitamin D helps strengthen bones, boosts the immune system, and reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.

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If your baby is breastfed or under the age of six months, then the answer is probably yes.

A recent study found that in the U.S. only 5 to 37 percent of children under the age of one get the recommended amount of vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants get 400 international units a day.

Breastfed babies need a vitamin D supplement because breast milk is low in vitamin D. However, babies who are fed vitamin D fortified formula may also need the supplement. To get the recommended amount, babies need to drink 32 ounces of formula a day. Most babies under 6 months old do not drink that much formula. You can make sure your baby is getting enough vitamin D by using a vitamin D supplement, which is available in inexpensive drops over the counter.

Getting enough vitamin D helps strengthen babies’ bones and boosts their immune system. It can also reduce the chance that your baby will develop cancer, diabetes, or heart disease later in life.