Integrated & Community Services - Multivitamin support for parents

What is a multivitamin and mineral?

Vitamins and minerals are substances that our bodies need to work properly. They support growth, movement, help repair damage, strengthen bones, help our brain signal orders, help fight infections and more. They are found in a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat/fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, and grains.

Does my child need multivitamins and minerals and how much?

Babies who are breastfed require a vitamin D supplement from birth (8.5-10 micrograms per day). Babies having more than 500ml of formula milk a day, do not need additional supplements of vitamins A, C and D as this is contained in their formula. All children between 6 months and 5 years old should be supplemented with daily vitamin A, C and D (NHS, 2024). There are no recommendations for children over five to take multivitamin or mineral supplements on top of a varied, balanced diet. However, if your child’s diet is limited then an additional multivitamin and mineral may improve their nutrient intake.

If your child has a limited diet and struggles to eat a wide range of foods, your doctor or dietitian may recommend they take a daily multivitamin and mineral. Multivitamins and mineral supplements do not generally contain the full requirements for your child; therefore, it is recommended to still encourage a balanced diet to help them meet their nutrient intake.

We understand that children who struggle to accept new foods may find it difficult to accept a multivitamin and mineral. This is why we have put together a range of examples of multivitamin and minerals in different preparations, brands and flavours. We hope that providing different examples, this will increase the likelihood of helping you find a vitamin and mineral which your child can tolerate. As your child grows their requirements for different multivitamins and minerals will change. We advise that you follow the manufacture’s guidance on dosage that follows your child’s age. If your child’s diet is particularly limited, it is best to choose one with a larger variety of vitamins and minerals.

If you receive benefits and have a child under 4 years old, you may qualify for free vitamins with the Healthy Start Scheme. Visit 'https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/' for more details.

This list is not exhaustive, other suitable multivitamins are available. Please see individual product packaging for dietary suitability.

The list is correct at time of review.

Type/name: Drops: Abidec multivitamin
Age: birth - 12 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C and D
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin B5, B7, B9, B12, E, K1 Iron, Zinc, Copper, Iodine, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium and Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Drops: Vitabiotics Wellbaby multi-vitamin drops
Age: 4 months - 2 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6. B7, B9, B12, C, D, E, Iron and Zinc
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin K1, Copper, Iodine, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium and Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Drops: Natures Aid mini drops
Age: 3 months - 5 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C and D
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin B7, B9, E, K1, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Iodine, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium and Phosphorous

Type/name: Sprays: Better You multivitamin kids oral spray
Age: 1 year plus
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D, K1, Iodine and Selenium
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin E, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Sprinkles: Nutrigen vitamix sprinkles
Age: 2 - 12 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Iodine
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin B5, B7, K1, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium, Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Dissolvable: Vitaboost kids multivitamin effervescent tablets
Age: 3 years plus
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12, C, D, E, K1, Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium. Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin B9, Copper and Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Dissolvable: Nickelodeon multivitamin fizzy drink sachets
Age: 2 -12 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12, C, D, E, K1, Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Calcium and Selenium
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin B9, Copper, Magnesium and Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Syrup/Liquids: Abidec advanced multivitamin syrup
Age: 1 - 5 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B12, C, D, E, K1
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin B9, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Iodine, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium, Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Syrup/Liquids: Vitabiotics Wellkid multivitamin liquid
Age: 4 - 12 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, b1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D, E, Iron, Copper, Iodine and Zinc
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin K1, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium and Phosphorous
 

Type/name: Chewable: Nickledeon multivitamin chewable
Age: 3 - 7 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D, E, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Iodine, Selenium and Calcium
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Magnesium, Phosphorous, Vitamin K1
 

Type/name: Chewable: ASDA kids chewable multivitamin and minerals
Age: 3 years plus
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D, E, Iron, Zinc and Iodine
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin K1, Copper, Magnesium, Selenium, Phosphorous and Calcium
 

Type/name: Chewable: Bassetts Vitamins 12 - 18 years
Age: 12 - 18 years
Vitamins and minerals contained: Vitamin A, B2, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E
Vitamins and minerals not contained: Vitamin B1, B3, B7, B9, Iron, Zinc, Iodine, Calcium, Vitamin K1, Copper, Magnesium, Selenium and Phosphorous

Reference

National Health Service. (2024). Vitamins for children. www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/weaning-and-feeding/vitamins-for- children