Healthy Start vitamins: who can get them and what they contain

Healthy Start is run through the NHS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. People who qualify receive a prepaid card, topped up every four weeks, to buy plain cow’s milk, fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables, pulses and cow’s-milk-based infant formula. Separately, the scheme gives access to two vitamin products. Both parts are linked to the same eligibility check.

The tablets for pregnancy and breastfeeding contain folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin D. These match the main national messages: folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects in early pregnancy, and vitamin D supports bones and is hard to get from food alone.

The drops for babies and children contain vitamins A, C and D. NHS Healthy Start explains why: young children and breastfed babies may not get enough vitamins A and D from their diet even when they eat well, and pregnant or breastfeeding women may need extra vitamin C, vitamin D or folic acid.

The scheme states that both products are free from milk, egg, gluten, soya and peanut residues, and suit vegetarian and halal diets. Always check the leaflet for the current ingredient list.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding tablets: folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin D.

• Baby and child drops: vitamins A, C and D.

• Do not exceed the recommended amount.

Eligibility follows Healthy Start itself. You need to be more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, and typically receive Universal Credit with earnings below a set level, or receive Pension Credit with a child addition. Those who are pregnant and under 18 can apply without needing benefits. Parents of British children who cannot claim public funds because of their immigration status can use a dedicated route.

The NHS notes that eligibility details and thresholds are updated, so check the official scheme pages for current rules. Application is online through a Universal Credit account for most people, or by phone or email for others.

Pregnant women can use the tablets through pregnancy and until their baby’s first birthday. Children can have the drops from birth until the fourth birthday, though the scheme says children who drink 500ml or more of infant formula a day do not need them, because formula is already fortified.

A supply lasts eight weeks: 56 tablets for one a day, or 280 drops for five drops a day. The leaflet explains how to measure drops, and caregivers should not give more than the stated amount.

In England and Wales, ask your midwife or health visitor, or find a local stockist online, bringing your Healthy Start card. In Northern Ireland, successful applicants receive a letter or email with instructions to request vitamins, and the Business Services Organisation posts them out. The scheme says this should happen within 10 working days of approval.

If you are not eligible, the NHS advice on folic acid, vitamin D and children’s vitamins still applies, and similar products can be bought from pharmacies and supermarkets.

People in Scotland should use Best Start Foods, administered through the Scottish government. Vitamin availability north of the border follows Scottish programmes. Midwives, health visitors and GP practices can all explain what is available locally.