Babies born with gestational age under 37 weeks or weighing under 2500 g need vitamins and iron supplements.

Vitamin D (400 IE/5 drops)

Start giving the drops when the baby is 2 weeks old.

Until discharge from the hospital, the baby should have 10 drops a day, equivalent to 800 IU (20 micrograms).

After discharge and up to 4 years old, the child should have 5 drops daily, equivalent to 400 IU.

Children with dark skin should get vitamin D up until they are 18 years old.
Other children should have vitamin D in the winther months (October to April).

Jernmedic 34 mg/ml (1,3 mg iron/drop)

Start the iron supplements when the baby is 2 weeks old.

The dose is dependent upon the weight of the child:

Under 1500 grams:                    3 drops a day

Between 1500-2500 grams:   5 drops a day

Over 2500 grams:                       6 drops a day

If baby’s birthweight is under 1500 grams, the iron supplement should be given until the baby is 12 months old.

If baby’s birthweight is over 1500 grams, the iron supplement should be given until the baby is 6 months old.

If more than half of the baby’s intake is formula, or the baby has protein supplement, they should only have half the dose of iron. You can either give half a dose daily or a full dose every other day.

These are the recommendations from Sundhedsstyrelsen (The National Board of Health).

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