Vitamin D for Exclusively Breastfed Babies — How Much Daily and Till What Age

Dr. Sandip Gupta

This is a frequently asked question: how much vitamin D should be given daily to babies who are exclusively breastfed, and till when? Why it is needed: A baby who is on mother's milk gets all the nutrition from mother's milk — only the vitamin D requirement is not fully met by mother's milk. How much and till when: Give the baby 1 ml of vitamin D drop daily, which contains 400 international units of vitamin D, and this is to be given till 1 year of age. Choose a drop that has 400 international units of vitamin D in 1 ml, and give it for one year. Relevant for: mothers exclusively breastfeeding and asking whether their baby needs any supplement; parents asking the correct daily vitamin D dose for a baby; parents asking till what age vitamin D drops should be continued; and parents choosing a vitamin D drop and wanting to know what strength to look for on the bottle. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician for the correct vitamin D brand and dose for your child, and follow the strength printed on your bottle.