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Parenting

Best Vitamin D Drops for Babies

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While breast milk or infant formula both provide essential nutrition during the first year of life, it may not provide enough of everything your baby needs— like vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements  for infants can help your baby get enough of this fat-soluble vitamin to keep their stores up, bones healthy, and immune system strong.* 

In a 2020 research study, only 1 in 4 infants met the vitamin D intake recommendations of 400 IU (or 10 mcg) per day.1 Breast milk does not have enough vitamin D to support your baby’s bone growth, and while infant formulas must include Vitamin D, some infants might not be consuming enough to meet the AAP recommendation of 400 IU daily. Whether you exclusively breastfeed, feed your baby a combination of breast milk and formula, or use only formula, your doctor may recommend supplementing with daily vitamin D drops. 

As with anything you give your baby, you want to be sure vitamin D for babies are safe, effective and satisfies any preferences you have as a parent. We researched some of the top infant vitamin D drops available so you can make an informed decision that works for you and your baby. 

Milk Drunk’s top picks for infant vitamin D drops

  • Bobbie Organic Vitamin D Drops for Babies
  • Carlson Labs Baby’s Super Daily® D3
  • Childlife Essentials Vitamin D Drops
  • Baby DDrops
  • Enfamil Vitamin D Drops
  • Mary Ruth’s Infant & Toddler Vitamin D3 Organic Liquid Drops
  • Mommy’s Bliss Baby Vitamin D Organic Drops
  • Nature’s Nutra Sunshine Vitamin D3
  • Nordic’s Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3 Liquid
  • Wellements Vitamin D Drops
  • Zarbee’s Baby Vitamin D 

What are vitamin D baby drops?

To make sure your baby gets enough vitamin D, you can use liquid vitamin D drops formulated specifically for infants. These drops include vitamin D3, an easily absorbable and active form of vitamin D, and a carrier oil that can be mixed with your baby’s formula, breastmilk, or dropped directly into your baby’s mouth. Some brands may include additives, preservatives, flavors, or colors as well. 

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula is a USDA Organic, EU-style infant formula that meets all FDA requirements. It is a complete nutrition milk-based powder modeled after breast milk and is easy on tummies. It is non-GMO and doesn't have corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin. Learn more about Bobbie.

Shop Bobbie

Do babies need vitamin D drops?

Vitamin D drops can help meet the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation that all infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily, starting within the first week of life.2 Meeting these recommendations can help your baby absorb minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are critical for strong bones and teeth and support the development of a strong immune system.3,4

Infants under 6 months rely on breastmilk or infant formula to meet all of their nutrition needs, and most US infants are not meeting the AAP recommended amount of Vitamin D.5 Even after your baby begins to explore new foods, around 6 months, they’ll most likely still need a supplement, since only 10% of babies 6-12 months are getting 400 IU or more of vitamin D each day.5 While sunlight can help naturally increase vitamin D stores in the body, taking your baby into direct sunlight isn’t recommended, so vitamin D drops can help your baby safely get the nutrients they need.6

Best Vitamin D Drops for Babies

Bobbie Organic Vitamin D Drops for Babies

Vitamin D Drops for Babies

Pros:

USDA Organic

Non-GMO (Ingredients not genetically modified)

Vegan

No artificial flavors, colors

In-line dropper, no external dropper

Does not include Polysorbate 80 or citric acid

Simplicity— three ingredients only— everything your baby needs, nothing that they don’t

Only product on the market with a 3-drop dose (each serving 400 IU of vitamin D)

Clean Label Certified and granted the Pesticide Free Award

Cons: 

Currently only available online

Carlson Labs Baby’s Super Daily® D3

Best vitamin d for babies

Pros: 

Non-GMO

Vegetarian-friendly

Each drop has 400 IU of vitamin D

Only two ingredients: Vitamin D3 and MCT oil

Unflavored

Cons: 

Not organic

Childlife Essentials Vitamin D Drops

Best vitamin d drops babies

Pros: 

Organic/Non-GMO

A 6 drop dose has 400 IU vitamin D, which helps limit overdosing

Cons: 

Includes flavoring

Watered down

Not vegan or vegetarian 

Baby DDrops

Best vitamin d drops babies

Pros: 

Organic/Non-GMO

Vegetarian

Only two ingredients: Vitamin D3 and MCT oil

Flavorless

Cons: 

Only 60 servings in one bottle, less than many competitors

Enfamil Vitamin D Drops

Best vitamin d for babies

Pros: 

Includes 400 IU vitamin D in a 1mL dropper to limit overdosing

Cons: 

Not organic

Watered down

Flavored

Includes additives like polysorbate 80 and sodium citrate

Not vegan or vegetarian

Mary Ruth’s Infant & Toddler Vitamin D3 Organic Liquid Drops

Best vitamin d for babies

Pros: 

Organic/Non-GMO

Vegan

Only two ingredients: Vitamin D3 and olive oil

Includes 400 IU vitamin D in a 5 drop serving

Unflavored

Cons: 

Most expensive per serving

Mommy’s Bliss Baby Vitamin D Organic Drops

Best vitamin d drops babies

Pros: 

Organic

NSF-Certified for purity and potency

Only two ingredients: Vitamin D3 and MCT oil

Cons: 

Not vegetarian friendly

Nature’s Nutra Sunshine Vitamin D3

Best vitamin d drops babies

Pros: 

Organic/Non-GMO

Kosher

Only two ingredients: Vitamin D3 and olive oil

Includes 400 IU vitamin D in a 1mL dropper to limit overdosing

Cons: 

Not vegetarian

Nordic’s Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3 Liquid

Best vitamin d drops babies

Pros: 

Non-GMO

Vegetarian

Only two ingredients: Vitamin D3 and olive oil

Unflavored

One serving is 0.25 mL, or approximately 5 drops, which limits risk of overdosing

Cons: 

Not Organic

Wellements Vitamin D Drops

Best vitamin d drops babies

Pros: 

Organic/Non-GMO

Includes three ingredients: Vitamin D3, MCT oil, and olive oil

Unflavored

Cons: 

Not vegetarian

Zarbee’s Baby Vitamin D 

Best vitamin d drops babies

Pros: 

Only two ingredients: Vitamin D3 and MCT oil

One serving is 0.25 mL from a syringe, which limits risk of overdosing

Unflavored 

Cons: 

Not organic

Not vegetarian

How to give vitamin D drops to babies

Most infant vitamin D drops can be added to your baby’s formula or breast milk if given by bottle or sippy cup. You can also use a dropper and place the drops directly into your baby’s mouth or inside of their cheek. While many drops allow either of these methods, be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions and speak to your pediatrician before giving your baby any supplement.  

Do formula-fed babies need vitamin D drops?

While it’s recommended for all breastfed babies and babies who receive a combination of breastmilk and infant formula to take supplemental vitamin D, some babies who receive formula exclusively need them as well.2 

You may need to give your baby vitamin D drops if they drink less than 32 ounces of most vitamin D-fortified formula each day. If your baby uses a formula, like Bobbie Organic Infant Formula, that includes 75 IU of vitamin D3 per 100kcal, you’ll need supplemental vitamin D only if your baby is drinking less than 27 ounces daily. 

Vitamin D drops baby benefits

Infant vitamin D drops are an easy and convenient way to help your baby meet their vitamin D needs. According to the AAP, adequate vitamin D is necessary for:7

  • Bone mineralization and development*
  • A well-functioning and developed immune system*

Baby vitamin D drops

While breast milk and infant formula contain most of the nutrients your baby needs for proper growth and development, your baby may not be consuming enough based on their daily intake. Supplementing with vitamin D drops can help your baby meet the AAP recommended amount of  400 IU, or 10 mcg, of vitamin D each day. 

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula is a USDA Organic, EU-style infant formula that meets all FDA requirements. It is a complete nutrition milk-based powder modeled after breast milk and is easy on tummies. It is non-GMO and doesn't have corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin. Learn more about Bobbie.

Shop Bobbie

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References: 

  1. Vitamin D: a critical and essential micronutrient for human health | Frontiers in  Physiology
  2. Optimizing bone health in children and adolescents | Pediatrics. 
  3. An update on childhood bone health: mineral accrual, assessment and treatment | Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity 
  4. Vitamin D regulation of the immune system and its implications for COVID-19: A mini review | SAGE Open Medicine
  5. Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee | U.S. Department of Agriculture
  6. Summer Sun, Heat & Air Quality: Tips to Keep Kids Safe | American Academy of Pediatrics
  7. Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children, and Adolescents | Pediatrics 
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant's pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.
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The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant’s pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.

Producer Jenny Altman

Jenny is the head of content at Milk Drunk and a writer for all of her favorite wellness and mom sites including Well+Good, Peanut, Motherly and Scary Mommy. Mom to Luisa, she can be found talking bras and beauty with the moms at school and on instagram.