Vitamins for babies

What happens in the first few years of a child’s life can shape their whole life.

Vitamin D is needed to keep bones and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities in children such as rickets.

The NHS has information on vitamins for children.

The government advise that everyone should consider taking vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter. Some people such as children aged 1 to 4 years and all babies (unless they are having more than 500 mls of infant formula a day) should take a vitamin D supplement throughout the year. Find out more about vitamin D.

You may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk and vitamins through the National Healthy Start Scheme.

Your health visitor will supply you with one month's supply of healthy start vitamins (if appropriate for your baby) at your birth visit and can support you to sign up to the healthy start scheme if you're eligible.