Vitamin D Recommendations

Vitamin D: What Parents Need to Know

Vitamin D is essential for helping the body absorb calcium and for supporting overall health. While some foods contain Vitamin D—such as infant formula, oily fish (like salmon), cod liver oil, fortified milk and orange juice, and irradiated mushrooms—it can be difficult to get enough through diet alone. Sunlight also helps the body make Vitamin D, and just a few minutes of skin exposure each day can boost levels.

There is ongoing debate about optimal Vitamin D levels. A helpful overview can be found in Vitamin D: Can We Finally Stop Beating This Dead Horse?

At Pediatric Partners, we continue to follow the current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines , which are summarized below.

Vitamin D Supplements

Supplements are available over the counter at most pharmacies. We also offer an affordable liquid option through Metagenics. This product contains 1000 IU per drop:

• Infants under 6 months: 1 drop 2–3 days a week
• Children over 6 months and adults: 1 drop 4–5 days a week

If your child has low Vitamin D levels, ask your provider for a personalized dosing plan.

Vitamin D Recommendations

Daily Requirements

• All infants, children, and teens up to 18 years need Vitamin D.
• Birth to 6 months: 10 mcg (400 IU) per day
• 6 months and older: 15 mcg (600 IU) per day

Infants

• Babies who drink less than 33 oz of formula per day(breast milk does not count toward this amount) should receive a 400 IU supplement daily, starting within the first few days of life.
• Because most infants only drink more than 33 oz briefly—intake decreases once solids begin—continuing the supplement is recommended.

Children and Teens

• Children who do not get 600 IU per day from foods should take a supplement.
• Since reaching this amount requires drinking about 33 oz of milk daily, and we recommend limiting milk to 24 oz or less, most children will need a supplement.
• Supplements containing both calcium and Vitamin D are preferred.

Higher-Risk Groups

Some children may need higher doses, including those who:

• Take certain medications
• Are recovering from a broken bone
• Have known Vitamin D deficiency

Breastfeeding Mothers

Breastfeeding parents should take an adult Vitamin D supplement.

• If a mother takes at least 6400 IU/day, studies show her infant can receive enough Vitamin D through breast milk if the infant drinks at least 1 liter per day.
• If the mother takes a lower dose, or the baby drinks less than 1 liter daily, the infant will need Vitamin D supplementation.

Why Vitamin D Matters

• Without enough Vitamin D, the body can use only about 10% of the calcium consumed.
• Vitamin D levels are naturally lower in people who:
  • Live in areas with less sunlight
  • Have darker skin pigmentation
  • Wear clothing or sunscreen that blocks most sun exposure

Vitamin D supports more than bone health. Adequate levels may help reduce the risk of:

• Depression
• Type 1 diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Frequent infections
• Certain cancers

Minimum and Maximum Daily Vitamin D Intake

How to Give Vitamin D

• Infants and toddlers: Liquid Vitamin D drops (follow dosing instructions for the specific brand).
• Children and adults: Gummies, chocolate chews, tablets, or calcium + vitamin D combination products.
• Cod liver oil contains Vitamin D (other fish oils may not).
• Multivitamins often do not contain enough Vitamin D—an additional supplement may be necessary.

You can find Vitamin D supplements at pharmacies, health food stores, and online. Aim for products containing at least 400–600 IU per dose and choose a flavor or format your child will take consistently.

We also carry Vitamin D through Metagenics (pediatricpartnerskc.metagenics.com/d3-liquid?child=DLQ).

Sunlight and Other Sources

About 90–95% of our Vitamin D comes from sunlight. Sensible sun exposure is the most reliable way to maintain levels:

• Light skin:~10 minutes/day
• Darker skin tones:~20 minutes/day
• Frequency: 3 days per week
• Avoid peak sun (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) to reduce skin damage.

Some families also use UVB reptile lamps(sold at pet stores). Exposing the abdomen or legs for 3–5 minutes/day can help, but use caution and avoid overexposure.

For more information, refer to the NIH Vitamin D guidelines (ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h2).

Calcium Needs

Vitamin D works hand-in-hand with calcium. Children need:

• 1–3 years: 500 mg/day
• 4–8 years: 800 mg/day
• 9–18 years: 1300 mg/day