Vitamin C for Babies

Healthy Kids >Nutrition Guide

Written by Mindsmaking Medical Writer

Fact Checked by Mindsmaking Professionals

17th, April, 2025

From breastmilk, to formula and even homemade baby foods, discover sources of Vitamin C for babies and understand the importance of this nutrient to your babies health and how to avoid Vitamin C deficiencies.

How much Vitamin C is needed for Babies?

Research shows that Vitamin C can be found in breastmilk, formula, fortified baby cereals, and even homemade baby foods, which means that your baby could be getting just the right daily amount of nutrients for their immune system

But then, you might wonder how much Vitamin C babies need daily.

Healthcare professionals have a daily Vitamin C recommendation of:

0- 6 months: 40mg
7-12 months: 50mg
1- 3 years: 15mg

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for babies which the body cannot produce naturally. As a result of this, it must be obtained from the foods they consume daily or with supplements.

Although Vitamin C naturally occurs in most homemade baby foods, breastmilk and formula, studies show that they sometimes are below the recommended daily intake for babies and this is where Vitamin C supplements come in. However, the need for supplements should only be prescribed by a pediatrician.

Vitamin C supplements can be given to babies when their meals don't contain the nutrient or have certain unique conditions like Premature birth, Restricted or limited diets due to allergies or feeding difficulties and digestive issues that interfere with nutrient absorption.

Your pediatrician may recommend vitamin C supplements for your baby, such as:

Liquid syrups/drops - Suitable for infants who can't chew or swallow tablets.
Powdered mixes - Can be added to food or milk.
Chewable Gummies - Appropriate for toddlers.
Chewable Tablets - suitable for older children and adults.

It’s essential to always consult a pediatrician before introducing Vitamin C Supplements to your baby, and always remember the recommended daily limit due to the risks of excessive Vitamin C intake in babies.

High Vitamin C intake in babies can lead to side effects such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and in severe cases, kidney stones.

Health Benefits of Vitamin C for Babies.

Dr Livingood, a doctor of natural medicine, explains that vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that goes straight through the body to strengthen the immune system and It is important to consume it daily.

Vitamin C is important for babies to strengthen their immune system by supporting white blood cell function, aiding the absorption of iron and protein, reducing the risks of childhood illnesses, and promoting collagen production for healthy skin, gums, and tissue repair.

Some health benefits include:

Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant: Studies show that vitamin C increases your antioxidant level by 30%. This helps the body build its defence system against inflammation and chronic diseases, thereby boosting Immunity.

As parents, you can prevent your baby from contracting common colds, flu, and infections.

Lowers blood pressure: Vitamin C helps lower blood pressure and protects the integrity of the blood vessels. Constantly feeding your baby the recommended dosage of Vitamin C daily lowers the risks of developing heart disease in the future.

Prevents Cancer: Research shows that higher consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with lower risk of most types of cancer, perhaps in part due to their high vitamin C content. They can also limit the formation of carcinogens, such as nitrosamines but its not a guaranteed prevention or cure

Improves Iron Absorption: A major benefit of Vitamin C for babies is the reduced risk of developing and even controlling Anemia by increasing iron absorption in the body.

One study of 65 children showed that giving them Vitamin C supplements reversed and controlled Anemia. Vitamin C helps babies get iron into their bodies and reduces the likelihood of iron deficiency.

Supports Brain Development: A 2024 study shows that mothers who consumed vitamin C transferred such nutrients to their babies, who were born with higher neurocognitive function than babies whose mothers had a Vitamin C deficiency.

This solidified the claims that vitamin C helps form neurotransmitters that are essential for cognitive growth and brain health.

Aids in Skin and Tissue Repair: Studies show that Vitamin C supports the healing of minor cuts and wounds, protecting the skin integrity from getting infections. Vitamin C is important for tissue regeneration due to the role it plays in the formation of collagen and its antioxidant properties.

Boosts Immunity: Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells, which protect against invading infections and viruses like pneumonia. Studies show that taking Vitamin C also increases recovery time from such infections.

Signs and Risks of Vitamin C Deficiency in Babies.

Recent research published in the National Library of Medicine found that Vitamin C deficiency, commonly called Scurvy, is a nutritional disorder that occurs as a result of poor dietary intake.

When babies lack adequate vitamin C in their meals, they are at risk of developing a vitamin C deficiency. It comes with warning signs like:

Frequent colds or infections
Fatigue
Slow wound healing
Rashes or rough skin
Swollen or bleeding gums.

If you notice such signs and symptoms in your baby, it is advised to seek the help of a pediatrician to diagnose your child and prescribe vitamin C supplements. Risks of Vitamin C deficiency in babies include:

Scurvy: Vitamin C is important in the growth and fusion of collagen, a protein that helps form connective tissues in skin, blood vessels, and bones. Without adequate collagen in babies, blood vessels could become fragile, leading to symptoms such as gum bleeding, skin bruising, and bleeding under the skin.

Babies with such deficiencies find it hard to crawl due to joint pain and experience delayed healing with injuries on the skin.

Weakened Bones: Vitamin C is needed for the proper development and maintenance of bones, especially in infants whose bodies are growing rapidly. A lack of Vitamin C affects collagen formation and can weaken the bone structure of your baby.

Such deficiencies in babies can limit mobility, which in turn affects important milestones such as sitting, crawling, and walking.

Anemia: Vitamin C aids the absorption of iron in the body, which helps combat Poor iron absorption, which can lead to anemia.

Anemia is a condition in which the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry sufficient oxygen throughout the body. Anemic babies usually look pale, can be unusually tired or irritable, and may have a poor appetite and slow weight gain.

How to Prevent Vitamin C Deficiency in Babies.

It is recommended that nursing mothers increase their vitamin C intake in meals and prioritise nutrient-dense meals, because what you eat greatly reflects in your breast milk. Which in turn nourishes your baby.

If your baby is on formula, you should ensure that your baby is fed the recommended daily formula intake, as vitamin C is found in most baby formulas.

If your baby has started eating solid foods, you can prevent Vitamin C deficiency by offering a variety of fruits and vegetables in their meals and always keeping a journal to monitor their Vitamin C intake.

Practical strategies to prevent Vitamin C deficiency include:

Keep a daily food journal to monitor Vitamin C intake in your baby.
Offer a variety of Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables in your baby’s meals.
Consult a pediatrician if you notice signs of Vitamin C deficiency.

Natural Vitamin C Sources for Babies.

Dr. Livingood, a doctor of natural medicine, explains that there are enough natural sources of vitamin C in fruits and vegetables to provide just enough nutrients for the body.

Some of these foods contain adequate Vitamin C levels that are up to the recommended daily limit for your baby. While the amount of vitamin C varies due to the size or serving of the fruit or vegetable, here are some foods that are high in vitamin C per serving (mg).

Lemons - 30-40 mg
Guava - 228 mg
Limes - 13 mg
Oranges - 70 mg (93 mg juiced)
Strawberries - 49 mg
Kiwi fruit - 64 mg
Papayas - 61 mg
Grapefruit - 39 mg (70 mg juiced)
Cantaloupe - 29 mg
Mangoes - 50 mg
Bell peppers - 95 mg
Broccoli - 51 mg (39 mg raw)
Tomatoes - 17 mg (33 mg juiced)
Spinach - 9 mg
Potatoes - 17 mg

Homemade Vitamin C Rich Foods for Babies.

To effectively provide your baby with Homemade vitamin C-rich foods, you can start by sticking to whole foods. This is because most whole foods, like fruits and vegetables, contain high amounts of nutrients that are up to the vitamin C recommendation for babies.

Tips for Making Vitamin C-Rich Baby Foods:

Use fresh, whole ingredients to maximize Vitamin C Benefits.
Avoid overcooking to preserve nutrients.
Ensure your baby's meals stick to the daily vitamin C recommendation.
Combine Vitamin C-rich foods with iron-rich options for better absorption.

Key Facts

Babies are recommended to receive 40 mg (0–6 months) and 50 mg (7–12 months) of vitamin C daily from breastmilk, formula, other food sources, and supplements. When necessary, a pediatrician should prescribe vitamin C supplements.

Vitamin C has multiple health benefits for babies, such as boosting immunity, improving iron absorption, aiding brain development, supporting tissue repair, and protecting them against future illnesses.

Vitamin C deficiency in babies can show early warning signs such as frequent infections, slow wound healing, bleeding gums, and fatigue. And when ignored for some time, it can lead to severe conditions like scurvy, weakened bones, and anemia.

You can prevent Vitamin C deficiency in your baby by offering a variety of fruits and vegetables, monitoring food intake, and consulting a pediatrician if symptoms appear.

Natural sources of Vitamin C for babies include fruits and vegetables like oranges, bell peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and papayas, most of which meet babies' daily Vitamin C needs.

You can ensure your baby gets enough Vitamin C by sticking to homemade baby foods made from whole ingredients like fruits and vegetables, avoiding overcooking, and pairing meals with iron-rich foods to support nutrient absorption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my baby orange juice for Vitamin C?

Oranges are great sources of vitamin C for babies that are well within the recommended daily limit when given whole and in small amounts, which can safely provide Vitamin C and fiber without overwhelming their digestive system. When juiced, however, it becomes a concentrate of acidic sugar that is way above the daily limit for a baby. Juicing oranges may seem like a healthy choice since they are full of vitamin C, but the acidity of the fruit might not be good for your baby's digestion when given in high amounts. To avoid a bad reaction, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents wait until after one year of age to allow their baby's digestive system to mature.

Do babies get enough Vitamin C from breast milk or formula?

Studies show that Vitamin C can be found in breastmilk and formula, and babies get a sufficient amount from both sources during their first few months of life. A well-nourished mother with a healthy diet will have the right amount of vitamin C in her breast milk for her baby. This means a nursing mother who consumes a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables will produce breast milk that provides all the necessary vitamins, including Vitamin C, to support a baby’s development. Infant formula also contains essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, that mimics the nutritional profile of breast milk. As long as your baby is receiving the recommended amount of formula each day, they are most likely getting enough Vitamin C.

Can vitamin C cure a cough in babies?

While Vitamin C is known for supporting the immune system and reducing the recovery time from illnesses, experts say there is no strong evidence that it directly cures or significantly reduces coughs in babies. In infants, coughs are usually caused by viral infections, and to fight off the infection, their bodies need support through proper medication, rest, hydration, and proper nutrition. Vitamin C can help support your baby’s overall immune defense when fighting a cough, but it’s not a fast-acting remedy. It is best to consult your pediatrician about the right medication.

What fruit is high in vitamin C?

Many fruits are naturally high in Vitamin C and can be introduced to babies as mashed or pureed meals when they begin solids. Fruits like Guava, mangoes, Black currants, papayas, pineapple, oranges, kiwifruit, strawberries, and Grapefruit.

What are the best Vitamin C sources for Babies?

The best sources of Vitamin C for babies are breast milk and infant formula in the early months because they contain nutrients needed to support their immune system. After six months of age when babies start weaning, natural Homemade baby foods can be introduced. Foods like Mashed peas, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, and pureed ruits.

Can my child get too much Vitamin C?

It is possible to overload babies with vitamin C when given high doses of supplements. Although vitamin C is water soluble and the body excretes it through urine, a consistently high dose in infants may lead to certain side effects. These side effects can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and even the risk of developing kidney stones over time. With infants, their digestive systems are still developing, so even moderate overdoses may result in discomfort or irritation. That's why parents are advised to stick to the recommended daily intake of 40- 50 mg.