8 Best Vitamin D Drops for Infants
Regardless of whether baby is breast fed or formula fed, it’s natural for parents to worry about their newborn receiving all of the nutrients they need. But making sure baby is getting everything their little body requires to be strong and healthy doesn’t have to be stressful. Thanks to vitamin D drops for infants, you can ensure that your little one is getting the proper supplement dosage. Not sure where to begin when it comes to picking out baby vitamin D drops? Don’t worry. Read on for answers to all your questions, expert advice and top-notch product recommendations.
You may be wondering: Why does baby need vitamin D drops in addition to breast milk or formula—and do all newborns need the supplement? “Infants that are breastfed exclusively or consuming less than 32 ounces of commercial formula need vitamin D,” says Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, a pediatrician in Atascocita, Texas. This is because breast milk is rich in other vitamins like B, C and E, but lacks vitamin D. Also, the human body needs sunlight to naturally produce vitamin D, but little ones should stay out of the sun to prevent burns.
Moreover, Vitamin D provides many health benefits for newborns, says Denise Scott, MD, a pediatrician in Oklahoma City, including supporting bone health support, preventing rickets, bolstering the immune system, fostering brain development and enabling calcium and phosphorous absorption.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants get 400 IU of vitamin D daily, to promote healthy growth and bone development, until the age of one. After baby’s first birthday, they need 600 IU of vitamin D, notes Phillips-Walker. However, since your one-year-old will be eating solids and getting vitamin D in other ways, they don’t need to continue taking liquid supplements, unless otherwise advised by baby’s doctor.
So, when should you start to give baby vitamin D drops? “Parents should begin to supplement their baby with vitamin D drops in the first few days of life,” recommends Scott. Infants who are breastfed should remain on the drops during the duration of breastfeeding, and babies who are bottle fed should continue to take the supplement until they’re consuming at least a liter of fortified formula daily. Once baby begins eating solids, they’ll start receiving the vitamin from certain foods, such as eggs, salmon, mushrooms and vitamin D-fortified foods, like milk, cheese and yogurt, says Scott.
When it comes to giving baby vitamin D drops, follow these pediatrician-backed pointers:
- Use the dropper that comes with the bottle, and give baby the recommended amount. Scott reminds parents to pay close attention to dosage instructions. Some products may require only a single drop while others require more volume.
- If baby takes the supplement directly, it’s best to drip or squirt the drops inside the cheek, not at the back of the throat, as this could cause choking, advises Scott.
- Alternatively, infant vitamin D drops can be mixed with formula or breast milk. Scott suggests mixing the supplement in a small amount of either, just in case baby doesn’t drink the entire bottle.
- If breastfeeding, there are even some formulas that can be applied as a drop to your nipple before baby latches on to your breast, advises Philips-Walker.
Not sure what to look for when shopping for infant vitamin D drops? We’ve spoken to the experts, and put together some helpful tips for you to keep in mind before buying.
- Dosage. Look for brands with 400 IU of Vitamin D3 per dose, says Phillips-Walker.
- Ingredients. Scott advises parents to look for a vitamin D supplement that’s made for infants, and contains vitamin D3. And when it comes to ingredients, the fewer, the better. The drops shouldn’t have artificial additives, preservatives or sweeteners.
- Tried-and-tested. Scott says that the product should be third-party tested, so you know the formula has been evaluated for safety, purity and accuracy in dosing.
- Cost. Some supplements are more expensive than others; be sure to consider the number of doses you’ll get in a bottle, suggests Scott. Ideally, a bottle should contain at least a three-month supply. Your health insurance may even cover certain baby vitamin D drops, adds Phillips-Walker.
Ready to pick out the best vitamin D drops for baby? With so many supplements out there, it can be hard to decide which product is the best fit for your needs. To help make the hunt a little easier, we’re sharing a list of top-rated infant vitamin D drops to shop below.
- Free from artificial sweeteners, gluten, sucrose and artificial flavors
- Comes with an easy-to-use dropper
- These drops aren’t tasteless; they have a natural fruit flavor
Just a drop a day of this supplement will support baby’s growing bones and teeth! One dose of these baby vitamin D drops contains 400 IU of vitamin D, which is the daily amount recommended by the AAP. The brand suggests that parents dispense this product directly into baby’s mouth, or add it to breast milk, formula, juice or any other food.
- Can be given to baby directly, or mixed in breast milk, formula, etc.
- Free from artificial dyes and flavors
- Comes with a syringe, rather than a squeeze drum-style dropper
Safe and effective, these infant vitamin D drops can be counted on to keep your little one on a healthy track. The bottle comes with a convenient syringe that makes it easy to ensure baby is getting the recommended dosage. What’s more, this product is free of dyes and artificial flavors.
- Made with a probiotic to support baby’s gut health and ease tummy discomfort
- Some parents say their newborns don’t spit up as much, as a result of taking this supplement
- Some reviewers say that the bottle’s dropper can be difficult to use
Phillips-Walker is a fan of these infant vitamin D drops from Gerber, as they contain a probiotic which benefits baby’s gut health. This supplement delivers 100 percent of baby’s recommended vitamin D intake, while also including L. reuteri probiotic, which may reduce crying and discomfort in colicky infants.
- Comes in a new-and-improved squeeze bottle
- No added sugar, artificial flavors or colors
- Parents say the bottle lasts longer than expected
- Some reviewers say that the drops are slow to come out of the bottle
Next on our list of the best vitamin D drops for infants? This organic liquid supplement from Mommy’s Bliss. The parent-approved pick has thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why. The infant vitamin D drops are made from natural fruit and botanical extracts, and come in a squeeze bottle for added convenience.
- Contains a year’s supply of doses
- Non-GMO, dairy-free and vegetarian
- Affordable price point
- Some reviewers say the bottle doesn’t dispense easily
Created with newborns in mind, these baby vitamin D drops can be given to infants throughout the first 12 months of their lives. The cost-effective bottle contains 365 doses of the supplement’s daily recommended amount, so you’ll have a year’s supply on hand. Plus, the unflavored formula is non-GMO, dairy-free and vegetarian. Simply put a drop in baby’s bottle or apply it to your nipple before breastfeeding and you’re good to go!
- Free from gluten, dairy, soy, preservatives, artificial flavors and more
- Recommended for all ages
- Some reviewers say that the product amount is less than expected
One drop of these vitamin D drops for infants will provide baby with the daily dosage they need to promote healthy growth and bone development. The Amazon’s-Choice product has hundreds of five-star reviews from happy parents, and it’s USDA-certified organic to boot. This liquid supplement can be applied to your nipple or a pacifier, or mixed in with food, depending on baby’s preference.
- Unflavored formula that’s non-GMO and third-party tested
- Contains a year’s supply
- Some reviewers say that the dropper doesn’t function consistently
Nordic Naturals is committed to delivering safe, effective nutrients for optimal wellness, and these infant vitamin D drops are no exception. Scott recommends this all-natural pick to parents for a variety of reasons, one of them being that the bottle offers a year’s supply of the supplement. Best of all? The formula is made from just two simple ingredients: vitamin D3 and organic extra-virgin olive oil.
About the experts:
Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, is a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas. She earned her medical degree at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens.
Denise Scott, MD, is a pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist and expert with JustAnswer. Her pediatric training was completed at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with fellowship training at the National Institutes of Health. She worked at the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma, before entering private practice. She also co-founded the first after-hours pediatric urgent care clinic in Oklahoma City. Scott earned her medical degree at the University of Texas.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
