All babies need vitamin D for healthy growth and development. The Canadian Paediatric Society advises all breastfed, healthy term babies get 10 µg (400 IU) of vitamin D drops every day. Vitamin D drops are available without a prescription.
Vitamin D should start at birth and continue for as long as the baby is drinking some breastmilk. When children are getting enough vitamin D from their diet they no longer need vitamin D drops.
Vitamin D helps babies build healthy bones and teeth. Although sunlight is the main source of vitamin D, both the Canadian Dermatology Association and Health Canada advise that infants under one year should be kept out of direct sunlight due to the risk of skin cancer.
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