Does my child need a vitamin D supplement?

A question that is often asked is “Does my child need to be taking a vitamin supplement?” Whilst some children may benefit from additional supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals (which can be guided by a healthcare professional) alongside their diet, there is one vitamin that all infants and children require, and that is Vitamin D. 

In this article, you will find out: 

• What is Vitamin D, and why is it important 
• When to supplement with Vitamin D
• How to choose the right supplement
• Dietary sources of Vitamin D 

What is Vitamin D, and why is it important

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. It has a vital role in supporting the balance of calcium and phosphate in the body and so is essential for healthy muscles, bones and teeth. It also supports the healthy functioning of the immune system. Unlike other vitamins, dietary sources of Vitamin D are limited, so the majority of our Vitamin D comes from sunlight exposure on the skin (1).  In the UK, sun exposure is limited through the Autumn and Winter months, so our bodies can not produce enough Vitamin D. 

In the UK, 1 in 5 children (20%) have Vitamin D levels lower than the UK government recommendations. Prolonged  low levels of Vitamin D can lead to bone conditions such as rickets (1)

The amount of Vitamin D the skin produces can vary, and certain factors can impact on a child’s risk of Vitamin D deficiency, these include:

• Children who have low or no exposure to the sun
• Children who usually wear clothing that covers most of their skin when they are outdoors 
• Children who have darker skin pigmentation
• Children who take medication that can interfere with Vitamin D absorption, e.g. antiepileptic medication 
• Children with moderate to severe eczema – whilst not yet in clinical guidelines, clinical practice and experience has shown that many children with eczema have low vitamin D levels and would benefit from supplementation. 
• Sunscreen use- though, as most people don’t apply sunscreen at the recommended concentration or to all exposed areas of skin, normal usage of sunscreen doesn’t generally prevent Vitamin D production. 

When to supplement with Vitamin D

Limited dietary sources and sun exposure mean that all children need to supplement with Vitamin D at some point, but when and how much depends on factors such as how a child is being fed, e.g. breastmilk or formula milk and their age. 

Some important points to note: 

• Formula milk contains Vitamin D, and so supplementation will depend on whether and how much formula milk your baby consumes. 
• If you’re a breastfeeding mum, it is also recommended that you supplement daily with 10ug Vitamin D
• It is possible to give too much Vitamin D, though Vitamin D toxicity is rare, so it’s important to give the recommended doses to babies and children. This is particularly important for fat-soluble Vitamins like Vitamin D and A, as they are stored rather than excreted (removed) by the body. 

How much to supplement: 

How to choose a Vitamin D supplement: 

• Vitamin D3 is generally preferred  as it is more effective in raising and maintaining Vitamin D levels in the body than Vitamin D2  
• Choose what your child can take safely, easily and consistently. For babies, Vitamin D will mostly come in the form of liquid drops or a spray and for older children, gummies and chewable tablets are also available.
• Make sure it contains enough Vitamin D- check the label and ensure that the dose is 10ug (400 international units IU) per dose – some multivitamins do not contain the recommended amount of vitamin D and some contain far more than the recommended dose for children,  so it’s always important to check!
• For children aged 6 months to 4 years, Vitamin A supplementation is also recommended alongside Vitamin D supplementation, as Vitamin A deficiency can also be common in this group.  Children aged 6 months to 5 years are advised to take a supplement containing vitamins A, C and D unless their diet provides sufficient amounts.

Dietary sources of Vitamin D 

Dietary sources of Vitamin D are limited, so even if you do include the following foods in your child’s diet, the supplementation above is still recommended.

• Oily fish, e.g. salmon, mackerel, sardines
• Eggs
• Red meat and offal, e.g. liver
• Fortified milk, e.g. Arla Big Milk or plant-based milk alternatives 
• Mushrooms – leaving them in the sun before cooking increases their Vitamin D content.

Find out how to choose the best multivitamin supplement for your family.

Vitamin D Supplement Options by Age

Below are examples of Vitamin D supplements that align with current UK guidance, providing 10 micrograms (400 IU) of Vitamin D per daily dose unless otherwise stated. These are widely available in the UK and come in formats suitable for different ages, from liquid drops for babies to sprays and chewables for older children.

This section contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through these links, Raisly may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Products are selected based on formulation, suitability and dose accuracy in line with UK recommendations, not paid.

For Babies (0–12 months)

Baby Ddrops Vitamin D3 10 µg Drops
Single daily drop providing 10 µg (400 IU) of Vitamin D3. Minimal ingredient formula (typically just vitamin D3 in oil), suitable from birth and easy to administer directly onto the nipple, a clean finger or into milk.

BetterYou DLux Infant Vitamin D3 Oral Spray
Provides 10 µg of Vitamin D3 per daily spray. Gentle, easy-to-use spray format suitable from birth and helpful for babies who dislike liquid drops.

Natures Aid Vitamin D3 Mini Drops (Infant)
Liquid Vitamin D3 providing 10 µg per daily dose. Sugar-free and free from unnecessary additives, designed specifically for babies and young children.

For Older Babies and Toddlers (6 months – 4 years)

Natures Aid Vitamin D3 Mini Drops
Delivers 10 µg of Vitamin D3 per daily dose. Simple formulation and easy to mix into food or drinks.

Well Actually Kids Liposomal Vitamin D3 Spray (400 IU)
Provides 10 µg (400 IU) of Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol) per daily spray. Vegan-friendly liposomal liquid formula designed for enhanced absorption, with a child-friendly cherry berry flavour and no artificial colours, sweeteners or added sugar.

For Children (4+ years)

Chewy Vites Kids High Strength Vitamin D3 Gummies (400 IU)
Strawberry-flavoured vegan gummies providing 10 µg (400 IU) of Vitamin D3 per gummy, aligning with UK daily recommendations for children aged 3+. Made with real fruit juice and free from artificial colours and preservatives, offering a simple, child-friendly option for everyday supplementation

Wellkid Vitamin D3 (Vitabiotics)
Provides 10 µg of Vitamin D3 per daily dose in a child-friendly format, suitable for older children.

References: 

1. NICE Vitamin D deficiency in children https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/vitamin-d-deficiency-in-children/
2. NHS Vitamin D https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
3. SACN Vitamin D and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-vitamin-d-and-health-reportealth