The AAP recommends 400 IU of vitamin D daily for all breastfed infants, and for formula-fed babies drinking less than 32oz daily. But how much vitamin D is actually in the formula you are already giving? We calculated the numbers for nine formulas so you do not have to.
All figures taken directly from official nutritional tables on each brand's website. Calculated for prepared formula as directed. IU figures calculated at the standard conversion rate of 1 mcg = 40 IU.
| Formula | mcg per 100ml | IU per 100ml | IU at 600ml daily | IU at 800ml daily | Needs 400 IU at | vs 400 IU target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Löwenzahn Organics Goat Leader | 1.6 mcg | 64 IU | 384 IU | 512 IU | 625ml daily | |
| HiPP Organic Stage 1 | 1.5 mcg | 60 IU | 360 IU | 480 IU | 667ml daily | |
| HiPP Goat Stage 1 | 1.5 mcg | 60 IU | 360 IU | 480 IU | 667ml daily | |
| Pure Goat | 1.5 mcg | 60 IU | 360 IU | 480 IU | 667ml daily | |
| Holle Goat Stage 1 | 1.5 mcg | 60 IU | 360 IU | 480 IU | 667ml daily | |
| Jovie Goat Stage 1 | 1.5 mcg | 60 IU | 360 IU | 480 IU | 667ml daily | |
| Little Spoon | 1.5 mcg | 60 IU | 360 IU | 480 IU | 667ml daily | |
| Kendamil Organic | 1.3 mcg | 52 IU | 312 IU | 416 IU | 769ml daily | |
| Bobbie Lowest | 1.25 mcg | 50 IU | 300 IU | 400 IU | 800ml daily |
All figures sourced from official brand nutritional tables, April 2026. Calculations based on standard 1 mcg = 40 IU conversion. Formula prepared as directed per manufacturer instructions.
The table above shows the vitamin D content per 100ml. But what matters practically is what your baby actually drinks in a day, and whether that adds up to 400 IU.
The AAP recommends vitamin D supplementation for formula-fed babies drinking less than 32oz (approximately 950ml) daily. This threshold was set because at 32oz, even the lower-fortified US formulas provide close to 400 IU. However, most newborns do not consistently reach 32oz until several weeks into life. In the first two to four weeks, typical intake is 400-600ml daily. At those volumes, every formula in this analysis falls short of 400 IU. Starting vitamin D drops from birth and continuing until your baby reliably drinks 32oz daily is the safest approach regardless of formula brand.
Yes, in the early weeks. The data above shows that no formula in our analysis delivers 400 IU at typical newborn feeding volumes. Even on the best-performing formula, Löwenzahn, a baby needs to drink 625ml daily to reach 400 IU. That is achievable by around six to eight weeks but not in the first weeks of life for most babies.
The practical recommendation is to give vitamin D drops from birth on all formula brands, and to reassess with your paediatrician once your baby is consistently drinking 32oz or more daily. At that point, supplementation may no longer be necessary depending on the formula and the feeding volume.
Mixed feeding makes the calculation more complex. Breast milk contains very little vitamin D regardless of the mother's intake. Formula contributes the figures above. If your baby is receiving any breast milk, vitamin D supplementation is recommended regardless of how much formula they also receive. The only exception would be a baby whose total formula intake reliably exceeds 32oz daily with no breast milk at all.
EU infant formula regulations set a minimum of 1.5 mcg (60 IU) and a maximum of 3.0 mcg (120 IU) of vitamin D per 100ml of prepared formula. This applies to all formula sold in the European Union under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127.
Löwenzahn Organics at 1.6 mcg is the only formula in our analysis that exceeds the EU minimum, however marginally.
HiPP, Pure Goat, Holle, Jovie, and Little Spoon all sit at exactly 1.5 mcg, the EU regulatory floor.
Kendamil at 1.3 mcg and Bobbie at 1.25 mcg both fall below the EU minimum. Both are US-sold formulas not subject to EU regulations, but it is worth noting for parents comparing standards.
Kendamil and Bobbie are sold primarily in the US market and are formulated to meet FDA and USDA standards rather than EU regulations. The EU minimum is provided here as a reference point for comparison, not as an indication that these formulas are unsafe. Both meet the standards of the market they are sold in.
The analysis above shows clearly that no infant formula in our picks reliably replaces vitamin D supplementation in the early weeks of life. The shortfalls are modest on most brands but they are real, and they occur precisely when vitamin D matters most for bone development and immune function.
The AAP recommendation is unambiguous: 400 IU of vitamin D daily for all breastfed infants from birth, and for formula-fed babies drinking less than 32oz daily. Given that most newborns do not reach 32oz until several weeks in, starting drops from birth is the right approach on every formula in this analysis.
From birth: Give 400 IU of vitamin D drops daily regardless of feeding method.
As feeding volumes increase: Track whether your baby is consistently reaching 32oz (950ml) of formula daily. At that volume, most formulas provide close to or above 400 IU without supplementation.
Mixed feeding: If any breast milk is in the diet, continue vitamin D drops regardless of formula volume. Breast milk provides negligible vitamin D.
After 12 months: The recommendation increases to 600 IU daily. Most toddler milks and fortified foods contribute but often not enough. Discuss with your paediatrician.
For our picks on the cleanest vitamin D drops available, see our vitamin D drops for infants guide. For the full formula comparison including all ingredient scoring, see our European organic baby formula guide.
Vitamin D figures sourced from official brand nutritional tables as of April 2026 and may change following formula reformulations. Always verify current nutritional information on the brand's official website. The AAP recommendations cited are accurate as of April 2026. This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your paediatrician regarding vitamin D supplementation for your individual baby.