Mother & Baby
Vitamins and supplements for pregnancy, breastfeeding, babies and young children. Find folic acid, vitamin D drops, gentle iron and omega-3, plus clear guidance on doses, forms and what UK health advice recommends.Read more →
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Pregnancy vitamins, baby drops and children's supplements
What you will find in this collection
This collection follows one family through several stages: trying to conceive, pregnancy, breastfeeding, the first year and the toddler years. For mums there is folic acid, vitamin D, iron, iodine, choline and omega-3 with DHA, including our pregnancy and breastfeeding range. For children there are liquid drops, oral sprays, chewable tablets and gummies. Two UK recommendations sit behind most of what people buy here: 400 micrograms of folic acid a day until the end of week 12, and 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day.
- Planning and pregnancy: folic acid, vitamin D, iodine, gentle iron
- Breastfeeding: vitamin D, omega-3 with DHA, calcium
- Babies: vitamin D drops, and A, C and D drops from six months
- Toddlers and children: chewables, sprays and multivitamin liquids
Children follow their own guidance. Breastfed babies are given vitamin D from birth. From six months to five years the advice covers vitamins A, C and D together, not vitamin D on its own. Babies drinking more than 500 ml of infant formula a day already get these nutrients from the formula, so extra drops are not needed. Our supplements for babies are grouped by age for that reason.
Form and dose decide whether a product helps
Folic acid and folate are not the same word on a label. Folic acid is the synthetic form used in UK guidance and in the research behind it. Methylfolate is the pre-converted form, which some people prefer. We stock both and state clearly which one is in the product.
Iron is the second sticking point. Ferrous sulfate works but often causes constipation. Iron bisglycinate, iron bound to an amino acid, is usually gentler at the same intake. For babies, drops with a marked pipette beat sweets: you can give a small measured dose. Vitamin D for the whole family is often easier as D3 drops or a spray than as a tablet.
How we select for mums and little ones
We start with the UK dose, not with the longest ingredient list. A pregnancy multivitamin has to reach 400 micrograms of folic acid and 10 micrograms of vitamin D, and it must be free from retinol. If it is not, we do not stock it. For children we prefer drops and sprays with a measurable dose over sweets, and we check the age range on the label matches what the product actually delivers. We are brand-neutral, so we carry what does the job. Every product passes our compliance team, and independent labs spot-check batches. You can read how we select brands and products.
Who this collection suits
A supplement fills a gap, it does not replace meals, and the effect is rarely something you feel. Folic acid and vitamin D are taken because of what the evidence says, not because of how they make you feel that week. Iron is the exception: if you are low, most people notice a difference after two to three weeks of consistent use.
One honest point before you buy. If you receive NHS Healthy Start, you can get folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin D free through the scheme, and children's drops too. That is worth checking first. Paid products earn their place when you want a specific form, a vegan formula, a spray instead of a tablet, or one product instead of three.
Frequently asked questions
Which supplements are recommended during pregnancy in the UK?
UK guidance keeps the list short. Two supplements are advised for everyone, and one group of products is best avoided. Everything else depends on your diet and your blood results, which is why iron is usually only added after a test.
| Nutrient | Daily amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Folic acid | 400 mcg | Before conception to week 12 |
| Vitamin D | 10 mcg (400 IU) | Throughout pregnancy |
| Vitamin A (retinol) | Avoid | Throughout pregnancy |
When should I start taking folic acid, and for how long?
Ideally you start three months before trying to conceive, or as soon as you find out you are pregnant. The standard amount is 400 micrograms a day until the end of week 12. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status, and a low maternal folate level is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus. After week 12 you can stop, or simply carry on with a pregnancy multivitamin that contains it. Some women are advised a higher dose of 5 mg, which only a GP can prescribe. See our separate folic acid products.
Should I buy a prenatal multivitamin or separate supplements?
Both are valid. Buying folic acid and vitamin D separately is usually cheaper and covers exactly what UK guidance asks for. A multivitamin costs more but means one tablet instead of two or three, and it adds nutrients that are harder to get on a limited or plant-based diet, such as iodine and vitamin B12. If you choose a multivitamin, check the label says it is suitable for pregnancy and contains no retinol. Do not stack a multivitamin on top of separate products.
Which form should I choose for myself or my child?
The form decides whether a product is actually taken every day, which matters more than a small difference in absorption. Tablet size and taste are the most common reasons people stop.
| Form | What it is | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Folic acid | Synthetic form used in UK advice | Standard choice for most |
| Methylfolate | Pre-converted folate | Those who prefer the active form |
| Drops | Liquid with a pipette | Babies and toddlers |
| Spray | Sprayed into the mouth | Anyone who dislikes tablets |
| Gummies | Chewable, often sweetened | Older children who refuse tablets |
Why do pregnancy supplements avoid vitamin A?
Vitamin A as retinol is stored in the body, so high intakes build up over time. UK advice is to avoid supplements containing retinol during pregnancy, and to avoid liver, liver pâté and fish liver oils, which are naturally very high in it. This is why cod liver oil is not a suitable omega-3 source in pregnancy: choose a plain fish oil or algae oil instead. Many pregnancy formulas use beta-carotene, which the body converts as needed.
Do I still need supplements while breastfeeding?
Vitamin D at 10 micrograms a day is advised for breastfeeding women, and it is worth continuing all year if you get little sunlight. Your own vitamin D supplement does not replace your baby's, so both are given. Some mothers add omega-3: maternal intake of DHA contributes to the normal brain development of breastfed infants, at an intake of 200 mg DHA a day on top of the usual omega-3 recommendation. Calcium and iodine needs are higher too, which is why postnatal formulas include them.
Do babies and young children need vitamin drops?
Yes, in most cases, and the rules change with age and with how your baby is fed. Vitamin D is needed for the normal growth and development of bone in children, which is why it starts at birth for breastfed babies.
| Group | Vitamins | Daily amount |
|---|---|---|
| Breastfed baby, 0 to 12 months | Vitamin D | 8.5 to 10 mcg |
| Formula, over 500 ml a day | None extra | Already in formula |
| 6 months to 5 years | Vitamins A, C and D | Daily supplement |
| 1 to 4 years | Vitamin D | 10 mcg (400 IU) |
What can I do if my iron supplement causes nausea or constipation?
This is the most common reason people abandon a pregnancy supplement. Three things usually help. First, the form: iron bisglycinate, iron bound to an amino acid, is generally better tolerated than ferrous sulfate at the same intake. Second, the timing: taking it in the evening, or with a small amount of food, softens nausea, though food does reduce absorption slightly. Third, vitamin C alongside it improves uptake, so a lower amount can be enough. If you were prescribed iron for anaemia, discuss any change with your midwife or GP.
