Vitamins are important for early development in babies and toddlers, to support their immune system as well as other roles. 

This blog discusses the UK health guidance and supplementation recommendations on what to give babies and toddlers up to 5 years. Depending on their age and whether they are breastfed or formula, this essential guide will tell you everything you need to know.

What does the UK guidance say? 

The NHS guidance says that all babies and children aged 6 months to 5 years need to take a supplement of A, C & D every day. Which ones they need and how much depends on how they are fed and their age. Here is a summary with more detail of each vitamin further down.

Breastfed babies – from 6 months old they will need vitamin D. A & C is recommended too.

Formula-fed babies – if they are consuming more than 500ml a day of formula (around two standard sized baby bottles) then they don’t need extra vitamins because the formula already contains added vitamins A, C & D.

Toddlers (1–5 years) are recommended to take a daily supplement of A, C & D. However, If they are having more than 500ml a day of formula then it is not necessary. 

Why are these vitamins important for babies & toddlers?

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune support. We mainly get vitamin D through sunlight. Some foods contain vitamin D but we cannot get it alone from them. Sources include oily fish, eggs and fortified foods. 

Therefore the UK guidance is : 

• 8.5–10µg/day (birth–1 year) for breastfed babies
• Formula fed babies (birth – 1 year) do not need vitamin D supplement if they have more than 500ml of formula a day.
• 10µg/day (1–5 years).
  

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for supporting their vision, helping our cells to grow and their immune system. Babies’ immune systems are rapidly developing at this age, which is why vitamin A is important. Check out the recommendations above for supplementation.

Food sources of vitamin A can come from both retinol and B carotene which can be found in dairy foods like cheese, milk and yoghurt. Eggs and oily fish are good sources too. Along with B-carotene found in yellow coloured fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato, yellow peppers, mango and apricots. Also some dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also important for their immune system. supporting iron absorption and repair of tissues.

Vitamin C is mainly found in fruits and vegetables. Good sources include fruit (strawberries, kiwi, oranges, raspberries) and vegetables (broccoli, tomatoes, red pepper, potatoes and kale).

Supplementation is particularly important if you have a fussy toddler or child who struggles to eat fruits and vegetables. Check out my blog on how to encourage your fussy eater to try vegetables.

Other beneficial vitamins & nutrients

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin which they should be able to get enough of if they are having a balanced diet. If your baby or child is being raised with a plant based diet (vegetarian or vegan) then it would be recommended to take a B12 supplement. 

Iron is needed for the red blood cells to transport oxygen around the blood. It is therefore important for babies’ healthy growth and brain development. Babies are born with a supply of iron to last around 6 months but after that the reserves are used up and need to be replaced from the diet. It is very important your baby gets lots of iron rich foods in their diet. I recommend one source of iron rich food with every meal. Check out my blog on iron rich sources for examples but good ones to start with are iron fortified cereal, dark chicken meat, lentils and chickpeas. 

Other important nutrients include folate, iodine, zinc and calcium.

Choosing a vitamin supplement

You can get some NHS healthy start vitamin drops for free if you meet their requirements. These include vitamins A, C, and D for babies and young children. Find out more here. 

There are also lots of different brands available to purchase from pharmacies. 

Conclusion

Having a balanced diet from the start of weaning and introducing a variety of foods will ensure a good diet. Supplements are a safety net and can provide reassurance. So knowing what vitamins your baby and toddler should have is really important. If you are concerned about your baby’s health go and speak to a health visitor or GP. or if you are struggling with a fussy eater, please email me for support to see how i can help.