Vitamin D drops for babies: who needs them from October

Quick answer: Breastfed babies, including partly breastfed babies, need a daily vitamin D supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms from birth, all year round, not only from October. Formula-fed babies having 500ml (about a pint) or more of formula a day don't need one, because formula is already fortified. From age 1, the dose is 10 micrograms.

What parents need to know

October is when the advice for the rest of the household changes. The NHS says that between October and early March our skin doesn't make enough vitamin D from sunlight. Everyone, including breastfeeding mums, should consider a daily 10 microgram supplement during autumn and winter.

Your baby's drops are separate from yours. If you're breastfeeding, your baby still needs their own daily supplement, whether or not you take vitamin D yourself.

Which babies need vitamin D drops

The NHS advises that breastfed babies have a daily vitamin D supplement from birth to 1 year. This applies whether you breastfeed exclusively or partly, and whether or not you take vitamin D yourself.

Infant formula is fortified with vitamin D, so a formula-fed baby having 500ml (about a pint) or more a day doesn't need extra. Combination-fed babies are partly breastfed, so they need daily drops. If your baby is also having more than 500ml of formula a day, ask your health visitor whether they still need them. If your formula-fed baby has less than 500ml a day, the NHS says they need the daily supplement.

From 6 months to 5 years, the government recommends a daily supplement containing vitamins A, C and D. The exception is babies still having more than 500ml of formula a day.

Reading the dose on the label

Micrograms and IU

Some labels give vitamin D in micrograms (mcg or µg) and others give it in International Units (IU). The NHS explains that 1 microgram equals 40 IU. That means 8.5 to 10 micrograms is 340 to 400 IU, and 10 micrograms is 400 IU.

Babies under 12 months shouldn't have more than 25 micrograms (1,000 IU) a day. Too much vitamin D over a long period can cause calcium to build up in the body.

One supplement at a time

Stick to the dose on the label and don't give two supplements together. The NHS gives the example of cod liver oil, which also contains vitamins A and D, so it shouldn't be given alongside vitamin drops.

The Department of Health and Social Care only recommends supplements containing vitamins A, C and D. Some shop-bought drops include other vitamins or ingredients, so a pharmacist can help you choose one that suits your child.

Why October is a useful reminder

Between late March or early April and the end of September, most people make enough vitamin D from sunlight on their skin. From October to early March, the NHS says the sun isn't strong enough for this.

For babies, the advice applies all year. A breastfed baby should have drops through summer as well, and the NHS says young children should still have drops even if they spend time outside. Keep their skin covered or protected in the sun.

Autumn is a good time to check that your own supplement is in the cupboard too. The 10 microgram advice for adults includes pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Free drops through Healthy Start

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may qualify for Healthy Start. Families on the scheme get free vitamin drops for children from birth until their 4th birthday.

Healthy Start drops contain vitamins A, C and D. The daily dose is 5 drops, and each bottle holds 280 drops, which is an 8-week supply. They don't contain milk, egg, gluten, soya or peanut residues, and they're suitable for vegetarian and halal diets.

In England and Wales, ask your midwife or health visitor where to collect them, and take your Healthy Start card with you. In Northern Ireland, the scheme sends a letter or email explaining how to request them, and the vitamins are posted to you.

If your baby spits the drops out

Follow the instructions on your product's label for how to give the drops. If your baby keeps refusing them, your health visitor can advise on vitamin drops, and a pharmacist can suggest a different product.

Don't give a second dose or another supplement to make up for it. The NHS advises keeping to the label dose and never giving two supplements at once.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy vitamin D drops if I don't qualify for Healthy Start?

Pharmacies and most supermarkets sell vitamin D drops for babies. The NHS says a pharmacist can help you choose the most suitable supplement for your child.

What does vitamin D do for a baby?

It helps babies' bones develop properly by regulating calcium and phosphate in the body. The NHS notes that a lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets in children.

Can my baby get too much vitamin D from the sun?

No. The NHS says you can't overdose on vitamin D from sunlight. Its advice for children is that they shouldn't be out in the sun too long in hot weather, and their skin should be covered or protected before it turns red or burns.