Please see information provided by Public Health for Healthy Start Vitamins All pregnant and breastfeeding women and children over six months and under five years old need vitamin supplements. A unique formulary of vitamins is available in Healthy Start vitamins which are available from Children’s Centres for beneficiaries of the scheme. The following information is intended to be helpful for pharmacists in responding to queries about the best product to recommend from the range available in the pharmacy for those women and children who cannot claim Healthy Start vitamins. Pregnant women, women with a child under 12 months and children aged from six months to four years who are receiving Healthy Start vouchers are entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins. Healthy Start vitamins contain the appropriate amount of recommended vitamins A, C and D for children aged from six months to four years, and folic acid and vitamins C and D for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Healthy Start vitamins are important because: Healthy Start children’s vitamin drops the daily dose of five drops contains: Children who are having 500ml or more of formula a day do not need Healthy Start vitamins. The vitamins are suitable for vegetarians and free from milk, egg, gluten, soya and peanut residues, and have a shelf life of 10 months from manufacture. They come in 10ml bottles, each of which contains just over 56 daily doses. Beneficiaries are entitled to one bottle every eight weeks. Babies under six months old Children over six months old getting Healthy Start vouchers are legally entitled to free vitamin supplements. However, in certain circumstances vitamin supplements may be provided to infants under six months old getting Healthy Start vouchers, if healthcare professionals consider that their vitamin stores are likely to be low and that the supplements would benefit them. Healthy Start women’s vitamin tablets the daily dose is one tablet, which contains:
¹Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2008) The Nutritional Wellbeing of the British Population. ²Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2007) Update on Vitamin D. London: TSO. If you have any further queries please contact Val Miller – Val.Miller@kent.gov.ukAppointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Does my baby need a vitamin D supplement? Answers from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. It depends on whether you breast-feed your baby or how much vitamin D-fortified formula or cow's milk your baby is drinking. Consider these guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine for vitamin D for babies: If you're breast-feeding or partially breast-feeding your baby, give your baby 400 international units (IU) of liquid vitamin D a day — starting in the first few days after birth. Continue giving your baby vitamin D until you wean your baby and he or she drinks 32 ounces (about 1 liter) a day of vitamin D-fortified formula or, after age 12 months, whole cow's milk.
If you're feeding your baby less than 32 ounces (about 1 liter) a day of vitamin D-fortified formula, give your baby 400 IU of liquid vitamin D a day — starting in the first few days after birth. Continue giving your baby vitamin D until he or she drinks at least 32 ounces (about 1 liter) a day. While breast milk is the best source of nutrients for babies, it likely won't provide enough vitamin D. Your baby needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Too little vitamin D can cause rickets, a softening and weakening of bones. Since sun exposure — an important source of vitamin D — isn't recommended for babies younger than 6 months, supplements are the best way to prevent vitamin D deficiency in infants. As your baby gets older and you add solid foods to his or her diet, you can help your baby meet the daily vitamin D requirement by providing foods that contain vitamin D — such as oily fish, eggs and fortified foods. Keep in mind, however, that most babies won't consistently eat these foods during their first year.
When giving your baby liquid vitamin D, make sure you don't exceed the recommended amount. Carefully read the instructions that come with the supplement and use only the dropper that's provided. Chewable and gummy vitamins that contain vitamin D are available for older children. If you have questions about your baby's need for vitamin D supplements, consult your baby's doctor. You might also ask your baby's doctor about vitamin D recommendations for older children. Some guidelines suggest increasing vitamin D to 600 IU a day at age 1 and beyond. Jay L. Hoecker, M.D. Tummy timeWhat's causing my infant's diarrhea? Evaluation, treatment and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: An Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Chevy Chase, Md.: Endocrine Society. Accessed March 4, 2014. Dietary Reference Intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Institute of Medicine. Holt K, et al. Bright Futures Nutrition. 3rd ed. Elk Grove, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics; Wagner CL, et al. Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children and adolescents.
Perrine CG, et al. Adherence to vitamin D recommendations among US infants. Casey CF, et al. Vitamin D supplementation in infants, children, and adolescents. Infant overdose risk with liquid vitamin D. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ward LM, et al. Vitamin D-deficiency rickets among children in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal. See more Expert Answers Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineThe Mayo Clinic CookbookMayo Clinic on Alzheimer's DiseaseControlling High Blood PressureMayo Clinic on Digestive Health Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info Diseases and Conditions A-Z Tests and Procedures A-Z Drugs and Supplements A-Z Patient and Visitor GuideIn addition to eating a healthy diet, we recommend that all pregnant and breastfeeding women and children aged six months to five years take a vitamin D supplement to help them grow and maintain strong bones and prevent other diseases.
If breastfeeding you should also be taking vitamin D to ensure that your own levels are high enough to benefit your baby. To help baby get off to the best start, in Waltham Forest you will receive a free bottle of vitamin drops for your baby, which provides two months worth of free vitamins. We strongly recommend that children continue these vitamin drops up to the age of five. At the new birth visit, your health visitor will tell you when to start giving your baby the vitamin drops depending on how your baby is feeding. Breast fed babies should start the vitamins at four weeks of age. If you are registered on the Healthy Start Scheme, you will receive vouchers which you can use to continue to get free vitamins as well as weekly supplies of fresh milk and vegetables. Lots of shops accept Healthy Start Vouchers but if you are having trouble finding local shops where you can use your vouchers call 0845 6076823. For where to collect your baby’s free bottle of Healthy Start vitamin drops or to exchange vouchers for vitamins please see useful contacts.