Vitamins for babies
Vitamin D helps babies' bones develop properly.
From birth to 5 years old, babies and young children should have a daily vitamin D supplement. They can have this in the form of vitamin drops up until the age of 4 years.
Vitamin D
Breastfed babies
From birth to 1 year, if you are breastfeeding your baby they should have a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D.
This applies whether you are partially or exclusively breastfeeding, and whether you are taking a supplement containing vitamin D yourself.
Formula-fed babies
If your baby is having 500ml (about a pint) of formula milk a day, they do not need a vitamin D supplement as formula is already fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients.
Where can I buy vitamin D?
You can buy drops containing vitamin D for babies at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Read more about vitamins for babies and children.
Healthy Start
If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy vitamins via Healthy Start.
If you are eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card that you can use to buy vitamin drops (suitable from birth to 4 years).
Sign up for emails
Our emails include NHS trusted advice and support, tailored to your stage of pregnancy or baby's age.
