Healthy Start

Quick Links: Healthy start vitamins

If you are pregnant and more than 10 weeks along, or if you have a child under the age of 4, you might be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk through the Healthy Start scheme.

If you qualify, you will get a Healthy Start card that has money on it. This card can be used in certain shops across the UK, and more money is added to the card every 4 weeks.

You can use the card to buy:

  • plain liquid cow’s milk

  • fresh, frozen or canned fruit and vegetables

  • fresh, dried or canned pulses (like lentils, chickpeas or beans)

  • infant formula made from cow’s milk

You can also use the card to collect:

  • Healthy Start vitamins to support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • vitamin drops for babies and young children (from birth to 4 years old)

For more information and to check if you qualify, please visit the NHS Healthy Start website.

What is Healthy Start?

A person wearing a blue and white striped dress holding a small bouquet of pink and white flowers.
A baby lying on a soft mattress on the carpet floor, wearing a light-colored onesie and having a pacifier in their mouth, looking up at an adult whose hand is reaching towards them.

Healthy Start vitamins

You can get free vitamins from Public Health South Tees through your local Family Hub.

These vitamins are for you if you are:

  • pregnant

  • breastfeeding

  • a parent or carer of a child under 4 years of age

Children’s vitamin drops – for babies and young children

These drops are for children who are having less than 500ml (about one pint) of infant formula a day. This is because infant formula already contains added vitamins.

If you live in Middlesbrough or Redcar and Cleveland, all families can get Healthy Start vitamins for free. If you have an NHS Healthy Start card, please bring it with you when you collect your vitamins.

There are two types of Healthy Start vitamins:

  • women’s tablets – for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding

  • children’s drops – for babies and young children

These vitamins provide the right amount of nutrients recommended by the government.

The children’s drops contain:

  • vitamin A – helps vision and the immune system

  • vitamin C – helps keep skin and bones healthy

  • vitamin D – helps build strong bones and teeth

The women’s tablets contain:

  • folic acid – helps with your baby’s development in pregnancy

  • vitamin C – supports your immune system

  • vitamin D – helps your bones stay strong

These vitamins:

  • do not contain milk, egg, gluten, soya or peanut residues

  • are suitable for vegetarians and halal diets

Babies and children can take vitamin drops if:

  • they are under 4 years old

  • they have less than 500ml (about 1 pint) of infant formula a day (as formula already has vitamins added)

  • they are breastfed

You will get an 8-week supply of vitamins:

  • 56 tablets (1 tablet per day)

  • 280 drops (5 drops per day)

Please only take the amount recommended on the label.

Find out more information about taking vitamins on the vitamins and minerals page on the NHS website.

For more information on pregnancy, baby and parenting advice , visit the Start4life page on the NHS website.

You can also find out who stocks Healthy Start Vitamins in your area, visit the Healthy Start vitamins page on the NHS Website for more information.

Where to get free vitamins

You can get these vitamins from your nearest family hub. To find out where that is: