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Breastfeeding

Vitamins & Vouchers


Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your baby develop strong bones and teeth. Not getting enough Vitamin D can affect energy levels and mood. You get some from diet and being in the sunlight but it is difficult to get enough.

If your baby is breastfed, they should have 8.5-10 mcg of Vitamin D every day.

Vitamin D is found in certain foods such as:

  • oily fish like salmon, sardines, or mackerel
  • red meat
  • some breakfast cereals.

It is hard to get enough Vitamin D from food alone but you can get Vitamin D supplements from the chemist or supermarket. Just make sure that the pharmacist knows that you want vitamins for your baby.

Find out more about breastfeeding and diet


Healthy Start Cards

Healthy Start is a national scheme to improve health. You could qualify if you're on low income or benefits and are at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under the age of four. You also qualify if you're under 18 years old and pregnant.

Your midwife, health visitor or other health professional can support you to sign up. You will be sent a pre-paid card for cow’s milk, fresh/frozen fruit and vegetables and first infant formula milk. These can be used in local shops or supermarkets. You will also receive vouchers to exchange in pharmacies for:

  • Women’s vitamins (contain Vitamin C, D and Folic Acid) - available from week 10 of pregnancy up to baby’s first birthday
  • Children’s Vitamins (contain Vitamin A, C and D) – from ages 6 months to 4 years.

For families who are not eligible for the scheme, all Norfolk Lloyds Pharmacies sell Healthy Start vitamins at a cheaper price than branded vitamins.

Find out more about Healthy Start


Who can Help?

If your baby is less than 28 days old you can contact your local midwifery team or you can contact the Healthy Child Programme at any time following your baby's birth by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590.

Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

Norfolk Healthy Child Programme has a team of infant feeding champions who can contact you by video call/telephone initially to discuss your questions and refer you to further help if required. All of our staff are trained to Unicef standards to provide you with the best possible breastfeeding support and advice.

Norfolk’s Early Childhood and Family Service (ECFS) offers support for all parents and carers with children aged 0 to 5 years.

To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.

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