Vitamin D for babies and toddlers
Vitamin D is important for your health. Vitamin D helps your body absorb and use calcium. Calcium and vitamin D work together to help build and support strong, healthy bones and teeth, which helps protect:
- Infants and children from developing rickets, a disease in which bones don’t grow properly.
- Teens, adults and seniors from developing osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become thin and weak, making them more likely to break.
Vitamin D also helps your muscles, nerves, and immune system work properly.
Food sources of vitamin D include:Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and troutEgg yolksSoft margarineFortified milkFortified plant-based beveragesSupplements
Most multivitamin supplements and calcium supplements have vitamin D. You can also buy vitamin D as a single supplement. The amount of vitamin D in a supplement can vary, so it’s important to read the label.Sun
Your body can make vitamin D when exposed to the sun, but most people in Canada can’t meet their needs from the sun. Things that will reduce how much vitamin D your body makes include:sunscreen usecloud coverthe amount of skin exposed to sunlightMost people in Canada need to get vitamin D from food or supplements. This is because we do not get as much sun as we need to make enough vitamin D.
The amount of vitamin D you need depends on your age. The table below gives the recommended amount of vitamin D. This includes the vitamin D you would get from food and supplements.AgeRecommended amountBirth to 12 months400 IU1-70 years600 IU71 years and older800 IUSome people may have different vitamin D needs, such as:Babies born preterm.People with health conditions that affect fat absorption, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, liver disease, intestinal failure.People with health conditions that affect how vitamin D works such as kidney disease.People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.Vitamin D supplements can also interact with some medicines.Talk with a health care provider such as a doctor, dietitian or pharmacist to discuss your vitamin D needs.
Babies and toddlers need vitamin D to build and keep strong healthy bones and teeth.If your baby is breastfeeding or receiving any breastmilk:Give them a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (10 mcg) every day. If they completely stop breastfeeding or receiving breastmilk and are getting enough vitamin D from other sources, you can stop giving your baby a vitamin D supplement.Start giving your baby a vitamin D supplement as soon as possible after they are born.Choose a supplement that only has vitamin D and is in liquid form.Carefully read the label for instructions on how to give the supplement. Only use the dropper that comes with the supplement.If your baby is not breastfeeding or receiving breastmilk:Most babies who are formula-fed do not need a vitamin D supplement because companies add vitamin D to infant formula when they are making it.
Eat foods that have adequate amounts of vitamin D every day orTake a supplement that has 400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D every day
Take a supplement that has 400 IU (10 mcg) of vitamin D every dayEat foods that have vitamin D every day