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Vitamin D for Breastfed Babies

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The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D a day for babies up until age one year. 1 The NHS says a breastfed baby should have a daily supplement of 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D from birth to age 1. 2 The CDC says that breast milk "usually does not provide all the vitamin D a baby needs." 3

Key takeaways

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends vitamin D supplements of 400 IU (10 mcg) a day for babies up until age one year. 1
  • The NHS says a breastfed baby should have a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D from birth to 1 year. 2
  • The CDC says vitamin D "helps your child build strong bones and prevent rickets," which it describes as a condition of softening of the bones that can occur in growing children. 3
  • The NHS says a baby having 500ml (about a pint) of formula milk a day does not need a vitamin D supplement, because formula is already fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients. 2
  • The NHS says a breastfed baby needs their own daily vitamin D supplement whether you are partially or exclusively breastfeeding, and whether or not you are taking a vitamin D supplement yourself. 2

**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓

Do breastfed babies need vitamin D?

The CDC says breast milk usually does not provide all the vitamin D a baby needs. 3 The CDC also says babies fed only breast milk, or both breast milk and infant formula, need a supplement with 400 IU of vitamin D every day beginning shortly after birth. 3 The CDC says vitamin D "helps your child build strong bones and prevent rickets," which it describes as a condition of softening of the bones that can occur in growing children. 3 The NHS says a breastfed baby needs their own daily vitamin D supplement whether you are partially or exclusively breastfeeding, and whether or not you are taking a vitamin D supplement yourself. 2

How much vitamin D does a breastfed baby need?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says, "Vitamin D supplements of 400 IU (10 mcg) per day are recommended for babies up until age one year." 1 The NHS says that from birth to 1 year, a breastfed baby "should have a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D." 2 The CDC says the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that breastfed and partially breastfed infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily, beginning in the first few days of life. 4

When should I start vitamin D drops?

The CDC says babies fed only breast milk, or both breast milk and infant formula, need a supplement with 400 IU of vitamin D every day beginning shortly after birth. 3 The CDC says the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that breastfed and partially breastfed infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D daily, beginning in the first few days of life. 4 The American Academy of Pediatrics says to talk to your pediatrician about supplemental vitamin D drops. 1 The American Academy of Pediatrics also says that at four months of age, infants who are partially or completely breastfeeding should be given 1 mg/kg per day of oral iron until iron-containing complementary foods such as iron-fortified cereals are introduced, and that all babies should be screened at 12 months for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. 1

Do formula-fed babies need vitamin D?

The NHS says a baby having 500ml (about a pint) of formula milk a day does not need a vitamin D supplement, because formula is already fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients. 2 The CDC says that for babies who receive only infant formula, vitamin D supplementation is not needed if they drink 32 ounces of infant formula or more a day. 5 The CDC says babies who receive both breast milk and infant formula need a supplement with 400 IU of vitamin D every day beginning shortly after birth. 3

Frequently asked questions

Do breastfed babies need vitamin D?

The CDC says breast milk usually does not provide all the vitamin D a baby needs. 3 The NHS says a breastfed baby needs their own daily vitamin D supplement whether you are partially or exclusively breastfeeding, and whether or not you are taking a vitamin D supplement yourself. 2

How much vitamin D does a breastfed baby need?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D a day for babies up until age one year. 1 The NHS says a breastfed baby should have a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D from birth to 1 year. 2

When should I start vitamin D drops?

The CDC says babies fed only breast milk, or both breast milk and infant formula, need a supplement with 400 IU of vitamin D every day beginning shortly after birth. 3 The American Academy of Pediatrics says to talk to your pediatrician about supplemental vitamin D drops. 1

Do formula-fed babies need vitamin D?

The NHS says a baby having 500ml (about a pint) of formula milk a day does not need a vitamin D supplement, because formula is already fortified with vitamin D and other nutrients. 2 The CDC says that for babies who receive only infant formula, vitamin D supplementation is not needed if they drink 32 ounces of infant formula or more a day. 5

A note from us

We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.

Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.

When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.

Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.

We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.

If something feels urgent, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services.

Read our full Medical Disclaimer · How we research and write · Content Terms

Sources

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Vitamin-Iron-Supplements.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).
  2. NHS (National Health Service, UK) - Start for Life. https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/baby-basics/caring-for-your-baby/vitamins-for-babies/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-d.html (retrieved 2026-07-10).
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/vitamin-d.html (retrieved 2026-07-10).
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://web.archive.org/web/20260704052017id_/https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-d.html (retrieved 2026-07-10).