It's important your baby gets enough vitamin D too, and from the moment they enter the world, you can give them tiny drops of vitamin D to help them grow and boost their immune systems. Many baby and toddler vitamins include vitamin D, and it's also recommended to add a vitamin D supplement to your routine if you're pregnant of breastfeeding.
From improving our bone health to boosting our immune system, the benefits of vitamin D are endless. Although our daily dose of vitamin D can normally be absorbed when exposed to the sun on those brighter days, there are other ways we can top up our vitamin D levels when the sun isn’t shining, for example certain foods contain vitamin D, but supplements are the best way to boost you and your baby's levels. So, it’s a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement all year round to support our health and wellbeing, especially in the darker months here in the UK.
According to the NHS, children from the age of 1 year and adults need 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day, while babies up to the age of 1 year need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.
During the autumn and winter, we are advised to get vitamin D from our diet because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D.
But since it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) the NHS have suggested we consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.
Here, we have listed the best baby vitamin drops.
Best baby vitamin D drops shortlist
Editor's choice: Abidec Multivitamin drops
Best baby vitamin D drops for breastfed babies: Baby Ddrops
Best baby vitamin D drops for immune support: Carlson Suoer Daily D3
To give you some peace of mind that your baby is getting enough vitamin D, it’s a good idea to give your baby vitamin D drops. There are many different drops on the market, available to buy online or at your local pharmacy. We’ve rounded up some of the best options to help narrow down your choice.
Best baby vitamin D drops
Best baby vitamin D drops for food supplement
Description
Baby Vitamin D3 Drops are specifically designed to be the easiest way to supplement the daily Vitamin D requirement of infants and children from newborn baby to 5 years of age. The Drops comes in 60ml bottles with approximately 2000 drops. One drop directly into the mouth provides the 10μg or 400IU of daily recommended dosage of Vitamin D3 for kids.
Review: "So much more cost effective than the 15 drop baby D you can buy. I think this will last until I’m finished breastfeeding with product left over and I’m planning on feeding to toddlerhood! So much easier than having to order the 15 drop type you get in shops every two weeks. I also find the dropper a lot easier than the ones you have to shake. Would highly recommend and purchase again but I don’t think I’ll need to!"
Pros
- Free from artificial colours and flavours
- Free from Nuts, soya and dairy
Cons
- Can be a bit leaky when trying to apply the proper dose.
Best baby vitamin D drops with no artificial flavours and colours
Description
Ddrops products are designed to be dropped where baby feeds or onto a clean surface, such as washed finger. Ddrops can also be mixed into a food or drink item. Specifically designed for breastfed and partially breastfed infants to provide the daily recommended intake of vitamin D.
Review: "The one drop thing works really well. I put it on my clean finger and give to baby. She actually likes the taste because she gets ready every time I am giving it to her, mouth open and enjoys licking it off my finger. Happy baby is definitely a happy mummy and health visitor too."
Pros
- Infants 0-12 months
- Supports healthy growth and development of bones and teeth
Cons
- Has no taste
Best vitamin D drops for healthy growth
www.boots.com
Description
Abidec Multivitamin Liquid Drops have been specially formulated to help meet the nutritional requirements of your children. suitable from birth to 12 years, it is particularly beneficial in the prevention of vitamin deficiencies. Abidec Multivitamin Drops are also rich in 7 essential vitamins. Given daily, Abidec Multivitamin Drops provide the correct balance of vitamins to maintain your child's healthy growth.
Review: "My son (now two years old) has been having this for a year. He is so happy to have it and it’s so easy to administer. I think it must be a fairly neutral taste. It works out better value than the raspberry flavour one as you only need such a small dose. Suitable up to age 12 but we’ll probably switch to Haliborange chews when he’s three."
Pros
- Natural flavour and aroma.
- 7 Essential Vitamins to Aid Healthy Growth.
Cons
- Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Best vitamin D drops for bone and teeth support
Best sugar free baby vitamin D drops
Description
Vitamin D plays many important roles in the body. It helps in the absorption of calcium and supports healthy bone development in children. It also supports healthy muscle function as well as supporting the normal functioning of the immune system in children. To help you meet your child's vitamin D needs, we've created our award-winning Vitamin D3 Mini Drops. These are vitamin drops designed for breastfed newborns, infants and children, formulated to provide them with the suggested 400iu vitamin D daily. What's more, these vitamin D3 drops are free from added sugars and contain no artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners or preservatives. In fact, they're entirely flavourless, which means they can easily be dropped into any food or drink.
Review: "My son been taking this product since he was tiny and I can see a different with his development some people might not have same experience but I'm really please with this Nature Aid."
Pros
- Designed specifically for babies, infants and children from newborn to 5 years
- Provide the daily recommended amount (400iu) of Vitamin D, to support the maintenace of normal bones, teeth and immune function
Cons
- Packaging may vary
Best Vitamin D drops for immune support
uk.iherb.com
Description
Vitamin D3 plays an important role in overall health, but not everyone gets enough from the sun. Carlson Baby’s Super Daily® D3 provides vitamin D3 in a safe and convenient way. A single drop of Carlson Baby’s Super Daily® D3 supplies 400 IU (10 mcg) of concentrated liquid vitamin D3
Review: "Essential daily vitamin D for our baby, we use it for 1 year and 5 months and we do not expect to change the brand, as it is reliable."
Pros
- For growth and development
- May be put in food or a drink
Cons
- Only for infants through 12 months
How much vitamin D does my baby need?
According to the NHS, how much vitamin D we should be getting changes depending on each stage of our lives.
Children from the age of one year and adults need ten micrograms of vitamin D a day. It includes pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Babies up to the age of one year need 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.
The government also recommends that all children aged six months to five years are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day too.
How do I give vitamin D drops to my breastfed baby?
These drops can be easily dropped into your baby or toddler's mouth. If you're breastfeeding and think your baby would prefer to take their vitamin D supplement while feeding, you can pop a drop of the supplement onto your nipple before your baby latches on and begins their feed.
Stephanie Anthony is the Deputy Digital Editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 7 to 2 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.