Vitamins all children should take
The UK government recommends all children aged 6 months to 5 years (except those who drink more than 500ml of infant formula a day) are given vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D every day.
Babies who are being breastfed should be given a daily vitamin D supplement from birth. Breastfeeding mums should also take a supplement. This isn’t to say children need to have infant formula to get their vitamin D, this is just to say that those who do have formula shouldn’t have a supplement because it is already added to the formula.
Vitamins children over 5 and adults should take
Children over 5 should take a vitamin D supplement in the autumn and winter months (October to April). As should adults (with some recommended to have it all year round – including those with darker skin as they don’t make as much vitamin D in their skin).
Women trying to become pregnant or women who are in their first trimester of pregnancy are also recommended to take a folic acid supplement.
Other supplements for children
There are some situations where children need additional supplements but these should only be given with advice from a health professional.
Why? Because too much of a supplement can be harmful. Plus, you might just be wasting your money.
What about minerals like iron?
Again most children don’t need additional supplements. If you are concerned about your child’s limited diet or about symptoms which make you think they aren’t getting enough iron, please speak to your GP or consult a dietitian or Registered Nutritionist. Some supplements, including iron, can have side effects like constipation which can further affect a child’s diet. They can also have too much of a mineral, or we miss an underlying reason they need to see a health care specialist.
Gummies, drops, tablets – which type of supplements should children have?
I would recommend drops rather than gummies for children as it isn’t a good idea for children to eat what are essentially sweets. This can give a confusing message around sweets. Drops can be given on a spoon or added to food – the key thing is you don’t heat them as this could affect some vitamins and that the child eats all the food the drops are in. Tablets are not suitable for little children – many brand suggest from age 12.
Which brand of vitamins would I recommend?
But in terms of which brand, look for the ones which just contain vitamins A, C and D. Healthy Start are the NHS brand and they are available free in some local authorities to all under 5s – check with your health visitor. If you can’t get them free, you can get them from some shops.
Important not on supplements
Before taking any supplements, check you are not having more than you need. I often see people who are taking a multivitamin and a separate vitamin D tablet and they don’t realise they are already getting their vitamin D from that and so they take more than they need. Also, if you are on any other medication, check with your pharmacist before taking additional supplements.
Disclaimer – this is not personalised dietary advice and is meant for information purposes only.