Key Takeaways
- Even if your child regularly runs around outside or drinks fortified milk, they may still fall short of their daily vitamin D needs.
- Nursing infants and those consuming less than 32 ounces of formula should be given 400 IU of vitamin D daily unless recommended otherwise by a pediatrician.
- Mommy’s Bliss is our top pick for infants, while options from Renzo’s and Llama Naturals are the best for toddlers and older kids.
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A quick look at the best vitamin D supplements for kids
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Best for infants: Mommy’s Bliss Organic Baby Vitamin D Drops | Skip to review
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Best for toddlers: Renzo’s Dynamite Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
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Best for older kids: Llama Naturals Vitamin D3 | Skip to review
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Best gummies: Nordic Naturals Kids Vitamin D3 Gummies | Skip to review
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Best organic: Mary Ruth’s Organic Kids Vitamin D3 Liquid Drops | Skip to review
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin, especially for kids. From infancy to the school-aged years, vitamin D plays a critical role in your child’s growth, bone health, immune system, and even mental well-being. Yet, vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies and a significant public health concern regardless of age.
This article discusses why vitamin D is essential during childhood, how much vitamin D kids need, and age-appropriate supplements that may help bridge the gap. Of course, before giving your kiddo any of these products, consult a pediatrician or other healthcare professional to understand if a supplement and which supplement is right for your child.
Importance of vitamin D for kids
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, meaning the body can’t make enough of it alone. Instead, vitamin D has to be obtained in the diet or through sun exposure. While important regardless of age, vitamin D is especially critical in babies, toddlers, and school-aged kids because of its role in growth and bone development.
Vitamin D has also been found to affect kids’ mental health and works to strengthen the immune system. In fact, inadequate vitamin D has been linked with an increased rate of allergies, infections, and autoimmune conditions in kids.
Recommended daily intake (RDI)
Understanding the terms RDI and DV
RDI (recommended daily intake) is also commonly referred to as the daily value or DV. You may see both references in this article.
Vitamin D needs change throughout your life, with babies having the lowest vitamin D needs. Here’s a quick look at the current daily recommendations for vitamin D in children:
| Age group | RDI [adequate intake (AI) for infants] |
| 0 to 12 months | 400 IU (10 mcg) |
| 1 to 13 years | 600 IU (15 mcg) |
| 14 to 18 years | 600 IU (15 mcg) |
It’s worth noting that “adequate intake” (AI) is used for vitamin D recommendations in infants rather than the RDI, which is used for kids and teens.
AI is used with vitamin D over RDI for infants because there currently isn’t enough evidence to set an official RDI for this age group. Also notable is that there’s no difference in vitamin D needs for kids born male versus female.
Healthline’s picks of the best vitamin D supplements for kids
How our top picks compare
| Vitamin D product | Recommended age | Form | % DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mommy’s Bliss Organic Baby Vitamin D Drops | 0 to 12 months | liquid drops | 100% |
| Renzo’s Dynamite Vitamin D3 | 2+ years | dissolvable tablets | 167% DV (ages 2 to 3 years) 125% DV (ages 4+ years) |
| Llama Naturals Vitamin D3 | 4+ years | gummy | 200% |
| Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies | 3+ years | gummy | 67% DV (age 3 years old) 50% DV (ages 4+ years old) |
| Mary Ruth’s Organic Vitamin D Drops | 4+ years | liquid drops | 80% |
Types of vitamin D supplements for children
One of the most significant considerations when shopping for vitamin D supplements for kids is the type of supplement to buy. Here’s a quick overview of your options:
- Liquid drops: Infant vitamin D supplements come in liquid drops, which can be added to bottled breast milk or formula or applied directly to the breast before feeding. Liquid vitamin D drops are also available for older kids. Similarly, these drops can be added to your child’s food or beverage. However, depending on the product and your kid’s preferences, older-kid drops tend to be flavored, which may be a pro or con.
- Gummies: When it comes to kids’ vitamins, gummies reign supreme. They’re easy to chew and are often flavored and sweetened to appeal to kids’ taste buds. When shopping for gummies, it’s helpful to be aware of the amount of added sugar and whether they’re colored with food dyes — an additive some parents prefer to avoid.
- Chewable: While not as common as gummies and liquid drops, vitamin D supplements are also available as chewable tablets. Depending on the product, chewable vitamins may be lower in added sugar, though they can also be harder for some kids to take.
- Dissolvable tablets: Tablets that dissolve either in your kid’s mouth or beverage are a good option if you’re worried about your child potentially overconsuming gummy vitamins or their added sugar intake. Dissolvable tablets can also provide peace of mind as they’re less of a choking risk.
- Organic: Organic vitamin D supplements contain ingredients grown without the use of pesticides and other artificial chemicals. Often, these products are made from whole food-based ingredients, with fruit and vegetable juices or powders used to provide flavor and color.
How to choose a vitamin D supplement for kids
- Dose: Choose a vitamin D supplement specifically formulated for your child’s age. Children are more susceptible to nutrient overdoses, so never give a child a vitamin D supplement that isn’t intended for their age group. While some products provide 100% of the DV for vitamin D, others contain slightly lower amounts. The best option depends on how much vitamin D your child gets from other sources like fortified milk.
- Type: There are pros and cons for different kinds of vitamin D supplements. Choose the form that aligns with your preferences and your kid’s taste.
- Dietary preferences: If your child has specific nutritional needs, such as gluten-free or peanut-free options, ensure that your chosen product is suitable. For more severe allergies, look for products made in an allergen-free facility to help reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
- Additives: When possible, choose vitamin D supplements containing few, if any, artificial additives, including sweeteners, flavors, and colors.
- Third-party testing: To ensure the contents match the label, look for third-party products tested for purity and potency, ideally by a reputable organization like NSF or USP.
If you have questions about whether a vitamin D supplement is right for your child or how much vitamin D to give them, it’s best to talk with a pediatrician or other healthcare professional. This is especially important for infants, whether nursed, formula-fed, or combination-fed.
How we vet Vitamin D for kids
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the vitamin D supplements that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
Natural sources of vitamin D
Sun exposure is the most commonly known source of vitamin D. However, relying on sunlight to meet your child’s vitamin D needs isn’t the only natural option. While some experts estimate that 15 minutes of sun exposure is adequate, the exact amount of sunlight needed to meet vitamin D needs is unknown.
What’s more, factors like geographical location, time of year, cloudiness, sunscreen use, and skin pigmentation can all affect how much vitamin D your body can synthesize.
Similarly, while some foods are high in vitamin D, the options are limited. Examples include:
- fish liver oil
- fatty fish like trout and salmon
- certain types of egg yolks
- fortified milk, both dairy and plant-based
- fortified cereals
Mushrooms, cheese, and chicken breast also contribute small amounts of vitamin D to the diet.
Frequently asked questions about vitamin D supplements in kids
Children may need vitamin D as early as the newborn stage. Unless an infant is consuming 32 ounces or more of formula per day, it’s recommended that infants, 0 to 12 months, get 400 IU of vitamin D through supplementation. However, whether a toddler or kid needs vitamin D depends on how much vitamin D they’re getting from their diet and sun exposure.
No, not all kids need a vitamin D supplement. That said, a 2023 study evaluated vitamin D levels in a little over 3,300 kids between ages 0 and 18 years and deemed “healthy” according to the research parameters. Results showed that up to 25% of the kids were not getting enough vitamin D and may benefit from a supplement. Talk with your pediatrician about whether a vitamin D supplement is right for your child.
When giving kids vitamin D supplements, it’s best to choose ones containing 100% or less of the DV for their age. The established upper limit (UL) for vitamin D — the highest daily amount from all sources that experts consider safe — is between 1,000 IU and 4,000 IU, depending on the child’s age.
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency in kids varies by age. However, symptoms such as lethargy, stunted growth, and irritability can occur in infants as well as older kids and teens. Inadequate intake can also be a reason for considering a supplement. Kids with limited sun exposure or who eat very few high vitamin D food sources may benefit from a vitamin D supplement. Talk with your pediatrician for personalized advice.
The bottom line
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for proper growth and development.
Research suggests that many kids are falling short of their daily needs. While obtaining nutrients through diet is always best, the lack of high vitamin D foods can make this challenging. Infants, in particular, may benefit from a vitamin D supplement depending on their daily formula intake.
If you and your pediatrician determine that a vitamin D supplement is right for your child, be sure to choose a product that’s formulated for your child’s age, third-party tested, and aligned with any dietary needs or preferences your child may have.
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