Private burial of a baby at home or on private land
Recommended multivitamins
The UK government recommends the following.
- Breastfed babies should take a daily vitamin D supplement, from birth, of 8.5 to 10 micrograms (μg)
/340 to 400 international units (IU). - Children aged 6 months to 5 years should take vitamins A, C and 10 micrograms (μg) vitamin D daily, unless they drink more than 500mls infant formula per day. (Formula contains added vitamins).
- Children with darker skin, or those who get little or no sun exposure, should have 10 micrograms (μg) vitamin D daily, all year round (not just in the winter).
- If your child is not eating a balanced diet, a multivitamin or specific vitamin/mineral supplement may help. Use the food group table below to spot any nutritional gaps.
| Tip: Give the vitamin/supplement to your child at the same time each day. Try to link it to a routine, such as breakfast or brushing teeth. |
Vitamins in each food group
Use this table to check whether you child is missing any nutrients.
| Food group | What this provides |
|---|---|
|
Fruit and vegetables (fresh, tinned, frozen, dried, juices, smoothies) |
Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B9 (folate) |
|
Dairy/fortified dairy alternatives (eg milk, cheese, yoghurt, custard) |
Calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, B vitamins |
|
Proteins (eg meat, fish, eggs, beans, tofu, Quorn, lentils, nuts and seeds) |
Iron, zinc, B vitamins |
|
Carbohydrates (eg breads, cereals, pasta, potatoes, rice, biscuits, cakes) |
B vitamins including B9 (folate) Iron in some fortified products |
Choosing a multivitamin
When choosing a multivitamin, we advise you to consider the following.
- Which nutrients is your child missing? You can use the food group table above to check. Remember to include any fortified foods they eat (eg bread, cereals, yoghurts etc).
- Choose a product suitable for their age and check the dose on the label.
- Check for allergens relevant to your child.
- The Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) shown on the label usually refers to adults and the general population, not to children.
- Choose a format your child will accept: liquid, tablet, gummy, spray, sprinkles or powder.
- Avoid giving several multivitamins at once. Too much of some vitamins can be harmful (for example very high doses of vitamin D or vitamin A can be toxic). Extra vitamin C is simply expelled (as urine/poo), so high doses offer no added benefit.
Types of vitamin products
Drops
- suitable for infants and toddlers
- tasteless options available
- small volume required
- easy to mix with drinks/food.
|
Tip Baby drops can work well for older children who refuse other forms. Start with a tiny amount. Tell the child first, to maintain trust. |
Examples, left to right: Nature’s Aid Mini Drops multi-vitamin, Nature’s Aid Mini Drops iron, Healthy Start children’s vitamin drops, Verywell Kids Baby & Toddler Multivitamin drops
Examples, left to right: Nutrigen Multivitamin and Multimineral Drops, Vitabiotics WellBaby Multi-vitamin Drops, Baby Ddrops Liquid Vitamin D3
Liquids/syrups
- flavoured
- can be added to drinks.
|
Tip Start with a small amount and increase gradually. |
Examples, left to right: Vitabiotics Wellkid Multi-Vitamin liquid, Vitabiotics Wellkid Calcium liquid, Feroglobin Liquid Gentle iron, Spatone iron-rich water, NaturePlus Multivitamin Liquid, Osteocare Liquid calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, zinc
Gummy/chewy
- not suitable for under 3 years old (choking risk)
- gummies are often preferred, due to sweet taste
- chewies can be chalky in texture
- many do not contain minerals such as iron and zinc
- check the vitamin D dose (recommended daily dose is 10 micrograms/μg).
Examples, left to right: Sainsbury’s Multivitamin Gummies, Wellteen Him Multi-vitamin Gummies, Wellteen Her Multi-vitamin Gummies, Vitabiotics WellKid Peppa Pig Multi-vits Vegan, Vitabiotics Wellkid Multi-vitamin smart chewable
Left to right: Boots 3 years plus A-Z Multivitamin + Minerals, Tesco Health Children’s Chewable Multivitamins & Minerals, Haliborange 3-12 years Softies Calcium and Vitamin D, Haliborange 3-12 years Softies Iron + Vit C
Left to right: Nature’s Way Alive! Calcium + D3 Gummies, Novomins Kids Iron Gummies, Nature’s Aid SuperStars Bone Support
Tablets
- Any complete A to Z multivitamin and mineral is suitable. Adult tablets can be halved for children aged under 12 years
- Look for tablets which offer complete nutrition. Some contain calcium as well.
|
Tip
|
Examples, left to right: Boots General Health A – Z, Vitabiotics Wellteen Him (13-19 years) Vitality and Wellness, Vitabiotics Wellteen Her (13-19 years) Vitality and Wellness, Sainsbury’s A-Z Multivitamins and Minerals, Tesco A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals
Sprays
- mint or fruit flavoured
- absorbed well
- spray into cheek or under tongue
- not nutritionally complete.
|
Tip Start by spraying onto a plate. Let your child taste with a finger. Mint flavour may be better after brushing teeth. |
Examples, left to right: BetterYou Multivitamin Kids’ Daily Oral Spray, BetterYou Vitamin D 400 IU Junior Daily oral spray, BetterYou Iron Daily oral spray, VitSpritz Vitamin D3 Oral Spray
Sprinkles
- tasteless for 30 minutes (the coating on the sprinkles dissolves after half an hour)
- mix them with semi-solid food such as jam, butter, chocolate spread, yoghurt or mashed potato.
Examples, left to right: Nutrigen Vitamixin’ Sprinkles, Nutrigen Ferromixin’ Sprinkles
Powders
- add to drinks or food
- some are tasteless (eg EllaOla powder)
- capsules (eg Purolab) can be opened and sprinkled into meals or liquids.
|
Tip Start with a pinch and increase gradually. Can be added throughout the day. |
Examples, left to right: EllaOla Toddlers’ Unflavoured Multivitamins, EllaOla Kids’ Unflavoured Multivitamins, Purolabs Kids Multivitamins, Luna & Eve flavourless multivitamins (toddlers)
Lucky Iron Fish (iron supplement)
Lucky Iron Fish is a simple way to add iron to water or meals. 1 litre of iron fortified water provides 6 to 8 milligrams (mg) iron
- To make iron fortified water: boil the Fish for 10 minutes in 1 litre water with a little lemon or vinegar added. Remove the Fish. Use the water in ice, smoothies, juices, jellies, etc.
- To add iron to meals: add the Fish to any liquid-based meal (eg soups or curries). Cook for 10 minutes, then remove the Fish.
- Avoid using the Fish in foods where the cooking water is drained (eg pasta or boiled vegetables).
|
We do not endorse or recommend any specific brand of vitamin or mineral. Choose a product that your child accepts and fits your budget. Product formulation can change so always check the label. If your child has allergies or coeliac disease, check the label carefully. |
Contact information
Paediatrics Dietetics Administrator, Monday to Friday (voicemails are checked daily)