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Vitamin D

Vitamin D Resources in Other Languages

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Vitamin D Multiple Language Poster

The NHSGGC briefing paper (pdf) provides specific information for midwives and children and families teams on advice for families. It complements The Scottish Government policy briefing paper.

The following resources are available to order from the Public Health Resource Directory :

Vitamin D Booklet Other Languages

Vitamin D Postcard Other Languages

Vitamin D Poster Other Languages

Every community pharmacy will display a window sticker (PDF) visible outside and wobblers (PDF) in the vitamin sections to promote the scheme.

Starting Solids/Vitamin D Label

How to order

To order the vitamin D supplements for maternity wards please follow these Standard Operating Procedures. For more information on ordering please contact the Pharmacy Health Improvement Team at pharmacyhit@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Contacts

For any queries on: 

  • Community pharmacy distribution
  • Ordering vitamin D via PECOS for maternity wards

Please contact the Pharmacy Health Improvement Team at pharmacyhit@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Are the products suitable for those following a Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal or Kosher diet?
Vitamin Drops

Yes, is suitable for those following a vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher diet. 

Vitamin Tablets

Yes. All ingredients are plant based and are suitable for those following a vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher diet. The product also contains no added sugars and artificial flavours.

How long is the shelf life?
Vitamin Drops

From production, the vitamins have a 2 year best before date. Use vitamins within 4 months once opened. 

Vitamin Tablets

From production, the vitamins have a 2 year best before date.

My child has allergies, can they take the vitamin drops?

This Product Is Free from Sugars, Gluten, Yeast, Artificial flavours & colours, Lactose, Preservatives.

Ingredients

Aqua, Polyethylene glycol sorbitan monooleate, Cholecalciferol from Lichen (Cladonia rangiferina), Glycerine, Xanthan gum, Trisodium citrate.

What does the vitamin tablets contain?

1 tablet contains 10 micrograms of Vitamin D3.

Other Ingredients

Emulsifiers: microcrystalline cellulose, anti-caking agent: magnesium stearate, Cholecalciferol from Lichen (Cladonia rangiferina). This product is free from Sugars, Gluten, Artificial flavours, Nut, Wheat, Gelatine, Egg

I am pregnant, can I have the vitamin D if it is recommended?
Healthy Start

Healthy Start vitamins is given to those who are pregnant at antenatal appointments for the duration of pregnancy. The vitamins contain the right amount of vitamin D (10 micrograms) along with folic acid and vitamin C. Therefore, you do not need to take the vitamin D supplement and should not take both the vitamin D and Healthy Start vitamins at the same time.

My child is 3 years old, can I get the free vitamin D drops?

All children aged 1 to 4 years old take a vitamin D supplement every day. This Scottish Government scheme allows free vitamin D for all children under 3 year olds. Although you will not be able to get vitamin D for free, you will be able to buy it at your local pharmacy and most supermarkets. Look for a supplement containing 10 micrograms vitamin D that are sugar free.

Why do breastfed babies need vitamin D supplementation and not formula fed babies?

Both breast fed and formula fed babies need vitamin D. This is because we get most vitamin D from sunlight and in Scotland we are unlikely to get enough. 

Infant Formula

Vitamin D supplements is not required because infant formula is strictly regulated in the UK and must contain vitamin D.

Breastfed Babies

Breastfed babies are recommended to take vitamin D from birth as a precaution to ensure they get enough.  Breast milk gives babies the best start in life providing long lasting health benefits for mother and baby.

My baby is mixed feeding breastmilk and infant formula, should I give them vitamin D?

Mixed-fed babies should be given a vitamin D supplement if they are having less than 500 ml (around 1 pint) infant formula. You will be able to collect them free from your local community pharmacy. A vitamin D supplement is not needed if they are having more than 500 ml infant formula every day.

Those who are breastfeeding and children under 3 years in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde can get free vitamin D supplements.

Why is Vitamin D important?

Vitamin D is needed to support bone and muscle health. Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight. In Scotland, we only get right kind of sunlight for our bodies to make vitamin D from April to September. Our bodies may find it difficult to make vitamin D, for reasons such as, covering up, using sunscreen, how long we spend outside and cloud cover.

From October to March, we are unable to make vitamin D from sunlight and need to find another way to get vitamin D. Food options naturally containing vitamin D is limited which is why we recommend everyone should take a vitamin D supplement, especially during the winter. Vitamin D supplements are available to buy from your local pharmacy and supermarket.

National Recommendations
  • All those who are pregnant and breastfeeding should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D.
  • Breastfed babies from birth – 1 year of age should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5 – 10 micrograms of vitamin D.
  • Formula-fed babies should not be given a vitamin D supplement until they are having less than 500ml (about 1 pint) of infant formula a day. This is because 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.

 Scottish Government website provides advice on vitamin D for all ages.

About the free Vitamin D supplement

Vitamin D supplements can be collected at your local pharmacy by asking at the counter.

Children vitamin D drops

Vitamin D Drops

1 drop a day is all your baby/infant needs.

Directions for use:

1. Shake bottle before use.

2. Squeeze 1 drop onto a clean spoon or to food or drink and offer to infant or toddler.

Vitamin D tablets for those who are breastfeeding

1 bottle contains 120 tablets 

Directions for use:

Take 1 tablet per day, with a meal, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner. Swallow with water or a cold drink.

How to access Vitamin D supplements

  • Pregnant women are provided Healthy Start vitamins containing vitamin C, vitamin D and folic acid at antenatal clinics.
  • Breastfeeders and breastfed babies will get vitamin D tablets (for breastfeeders) and drops (for baby) on the maternity ward before going home. This provides a 4-month supply. More can be collected for free from your local community pharmacy.
  • Vitamin D drops for all children under three years old are available for free your local pharmacy. Formula fed babies should not be given vitamin D supplement until they are having less than 500ml (about 1 pint) of infant formula every day. This is because infant formula contains added vitamin D. 

For more information, speak to your Midwife, Health Visitor or Pharmacist.

If you are looking for more information Vitamin D and You leaflet covers the benefits of Vitamin D as part of a healthy diet.

Other Support

Useful resources

Ready Steady Baby!  Your guide to:

  • pregnancy
  • labour and birth
  • early parenthood

Visit: www.nhsinform.scot/readysteadybaby 

For parenting hints, tips and tricks Visit: www.parentclub.scot/ 

Fun First Foods  This booklet gives information on the different stages of weaning with tips, advice and recipes. 

Starting Solids – this page provides lots of useful information and support on introducing solids (weaning) to your baby.

You might be entitled to Best Start Foods and Best Start Grant. Best Start food is prepaid card that you can use to buy healthy foods for children under 3 years. Best Start Grant are three cash payment; pregnancy and baby, early learning and school aged payments. Visit: www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods

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