Do breastfed babies need vitamin D drops?
The recommendation depends on where you live and how your baby is fed. Use local health advice to choose a supplement and amount.
The short answer
Guidance depends on your location and your baby's feeding. The NHS advises a daily vitamin D supplement for babies who are only having breast milk. The AAP recommends a daily supplement for breastfed infants in the United States. Ask your local health professional which product and amount apply.
Check the guidance for where you live
Vitamin D recommendations aren’t identical in every country. The NHS says babies who are only having breast milk should receive a daily vitamin D supplement and suggests asking a health visitor for advice about drops. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation referenced in its newborn checkup guidance is for families in the United States.
These are local public health recommendations, not a check. A baby’s feeding, health and the supplement available where the family lives can affect what a doctor advises.
The product matters too
Vitamin drops don’t all have the same concentration. The number of drops or volume to give depends on the specific product and local instructions. Don’t copy a dose from a page written for another country or use an adult supplement for a baby.
If you’re mixed feeding or your baby receives formula, ask your health visitor, pediatrician, GP or pharmacist whether the local guidance changes. Tell them the product name and how your baby is fed so they can give advice that fits your situation.
Ask before changing a supplement routine
If you’re unsure whether to start, stop or change vitamin drops, ask a local health professional. Follow the product label and the advice given for your baby, and keep the supplement out of a child's reach.
This article compares advice from the UK and the US. Amounts and rules can change, so check with your midwife, health visitor or doctor.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked 12 October 2026. This page doesn’t replace advice from your own doctor.