Give your baby 5 micrograms of vitamin D as a supplement every day from birth to 12 months if they are:
- breastfeeding
- taking less than 300ml of infant formula a day
If your baby is taking more than 300ml of infant formula, they do not need a supplement. Infant formula now comes with vitamin D added to it.
Breastfed babies need a vitamin D supplement. They need it even if you took a supplement in pregnancy or take one now.
There are many suitable infant vitamin D supplements available to buy in Ireland. These are available in liquid form and can be given to your baby by dropper or by oral syringe. Use a supplement that contains vitamin D only.
Why babies need vitamin D
Vitamin D helps your baby build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
Our bodies can make vitamin D from the sun. But babies cannot safely get the vitamin D they need from the sun.
Your baby needs a vitamin D supplement because:
- their skin is very sensitive to the sun and should not be in direct sunlight
- their food (breast milk or solid foods) may not give them enough vitamin D
- between 0 and 12 months babies grow very quickly and need vitamin D to form strong bones
Minerals and vitamins - vitamin D
Helps fight illness
Research shows that vitamin D plays an important role in helping the immune system.
It may help to prevent illness from viruses, bacteria and other infections. It may also help speed up your baby's recovery.
If you have an African, African-Caribbean or south Asian background, your baby is more likely to have low levels of vitamin D.
This is because people with black or brown skin may not make enough vitamin D from sunlight.
Risks
In severe cases, low levels of vitamin D can cause rickets in children.
Rickets is a condition that leads to soft bones. It can cause bone deformities such as bowed legs and a curved spine.
Buying vitamin D for your baby
You can buy vitamin D supplements for babies in pharmacies and some supermarkets. Choose a supplement that is suitable for babies, and contains vitamin D only.
Ask your pharmacist how many doses you will get from a supplement and how long it will last once open.
You may need to buy more than 1 bottle in a year, depending on the supplement.
Giving your baby vitamin D
Check the label on your vitamin D supplement for the number of drops or amount of liquid you need to give your baby. Read the instructions each time you get a new bottle.
You may need to give your baby the supplement in a different way with each new brand. Give your baby the correct dose directly into their mouth.
One dose is 5 micrograms
The correct dose for babies age 0 to 12 months is 5 micrograms. The number of drops needed may vary, depending on the supplement you are using.
If the dose is correct, there are no risks to babies.
Important
Only give your baby 1 dose per day. Very large doses of vitamin D can make your baby ill.
Ask your pharmacist, GP or public health nurse if you're not sure what to do.
Other vitamins
Your baby may need extra vitamins or a higher dose of vitamin D if they:
- were born premature
- are having ongoing medical care
Talk to your GP about this.
If your baby is taking other vitamins, ask for advice about vitamin D.
Important
Only give your baby multivitamins or a higher dose of vitamin D if your healthcare professional tells you to.
