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Does my baby need a vitamin D supplement 6 to 12 months?

Most breastfed or partially breastfed babies aged 6 to 12 months need a daily 400 IU vitamin D supplement. Babies drinking enough vitamin D-fortified formula usually don't need one.

Some babies with extra risk factors, like living in northern Canada, may need up to 800 IU per day.

Strength of evidence

Strong

This is based on consistent national guidelines from the Canadian Paediatric Society, Health Canada, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, all pointing the same direction.

What the evidence says

Yes, most babies between 6 and 12 months still need a vitamin D supplement, and it depends mainly on how they're being fed. Vitamin D helps bones and teeth grow strong, and not getting enough can lead to a bone disease called rickets.

If your baby is breastfed, even partly, Health Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society both say to keep giving 400 IU (10 micrograms) of vitamin D every day. This is because breast milk naturally has very little vitamin D in it, even though it's the best food for your baby in every other way.

If your baby drinks enough formula, they likely don't need drops. Formula already has vitamin D added to it. Health Canada notes that babies who are not breastfed usually don't need a supplement because formula covers it.

Some babies need a bit more. If you live above the 55th parallel in northern Canada, have darker skin, get very little sun, or your own vitamin D levels are low, the Canadian Paediatric Society suggests doubling the dose to 800 IU a day, year-round.

The American Academy of Pediatrics gives the same basic advice for U.S. families: 400 IU a day for babies under 12 months who are breastfed or not getting enough formula. If you're not sure what applies to your baby, your doctor or public health nurse can help you figure out the right amount.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked September 25, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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