The national recommendations for vitamin D supplementation for breastfeeding women and babies and young children are:

• All pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D
• Breastfed babies from birth to 1 year of age should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 to 10 micrograms of vitamin D
• Formula-fed babies should not be given a vitamin D supplement until they are having less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula contains added vitamin D
• All children aged 1 to 4 years old should be given a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D

Vitamin D advice for all age groups can be found on the Scottish Government website.

All breastfeeding women and children under three years old in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde can now get free vitamin D supplements. This is a new Scottish Government scheme which has replaced Healthy Start children’s vitamins.

• Breastfeeding women and breastfed babies will be given the first pot of vitamin D tablets (for women) and drops (for baby) on the maternity ward before going home. This provides a four months supply and more can be collected free from your local community pharmacy.

• Vitamin D drops for all children under three years old are available free at all community pharmacies. Formula fed babies should not be given the vitamin D supplement until they are having less than 500ml (about a pint) of infant formula every day. This is because infant formula contains added vitamin D.
• Pregnant women are provided Healthy Start vitamins containing vitamin C, vitamin D and folic acid at antenatal clinics for the duration of pregnancy

Vitamin D for breastfeeding women and children under 3 years old booklet  (PDF) provides guidance on the scheme. This will be available in the following languages; Arabic, Polish, Urdu, Romanian, Mandarin, Fars, Slovak, Punjabi, Cantonese, Kurdish – Sorani, French, Amharic, Tigrinyan, Somali and Dari.

Both vitamin D supplements can be collected picked up at your local community pharmacy by asking at the counter.

Children vitamin D drops

One bottle provides 120 doses. 1 dose contains

Directions for use:

1. Shake bottle before use.
2. With pipette inserted into bottle, draw up 1ml as marked on pipette.
3. It is preferred to apply liquid onto a clean spoon, then offer to infant or

toddler. Alternatively, add to food or drink.

4. Rinse pipette thoroughly and replace after use. 

Vitamin D tablets for breastfeeding women

One bottle supplies 120 tablets 

Directions for use:

Take one tablet per day, preferably at meal time, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Swallow with water or a cold drink