Vitamins & textures

Flavour(s)

Banana flavour (PIL lists banana flavour among ingredients)

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Thin drops; glycerol base. Not oily like peanut-oil products. Sweetish banana note may help or put off sensory-sensitive children — try a tiny taste only after professional advice.

Key contents

Vitamins A, C and D (government-aligned Healthy Start children’s formula)

Age banding (label)

From birth to 4th birthday (scheme eligibility rules apply; not needed if ≥500 ml infant formula/day)

Practical notes

Free for eligible families on the NHS Healthy Start scheme in England/Wales/NI. Ask midwife/health visitor or local collection point. Suitable for vegetarians and halal diets per NHS Healthy Start information; free from milk, egg, gluten, soya and peanut residues according to the scheme site. Exact microgram strengths can vary by leaflet revision — check the current bottle.

NHS Healthy Start — getting vitamins

Flavour(s)

Natural flavour/aroma of the vitamins (not a fruit flavour)

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Yellow/brown liquid; characteristic vitamin smell/taste. Contains refined peanut (arachis) oil — oily mouthfeel possible. Also contains sucrose.

Key contents

Vitamins A, D2, B1, B2, B6, nicotinamide (B3), C (licensed multivitamin drops)

Age banding (label)

Babies and children from birth to 12 years (per PIL)

Practical notes

Peanut/soya allergy: contains arachis oil — do not use if allergic. UK supply of Abidec drops has been intermittent (pharmacy supply notifications); pharmacists may suggest alternatives. Always check the current pack.

Abidec Multivitamin Drops — patient leaflet

Flavour(s)

No named fruit flavour on SmPC; yellowish-orange liquid

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Slightly viscous yellowish-orange liquid. Contains sucrose. No peanut oil (unlike Abidec). Higher vitamin A per dose than Abidec — relevant if comparing products with a clinician.

Key contents

Vitamins A (higher IU than Abidec per 0.6 ml), D2, B1, B2, B6, C, nicotinamide

Age banding (label)

Licensed from 6 weeks of age (infants/children; older ages as directed)

Practical notes

Supply has also been intermittent at times. Contains sodium methyl hydroxybenzoate (E219). Not interchangeable millilitre-for-millilitre with Abidec because of different vitamin A content — discuss with GP/pharmacist/dietitian.

Dalivit Drops — leaflet summary

Flavour(s)

Natural orange (Swiss Alpine malt; orange oil on some labels)

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Sweet syrupy liquid with malt; orange note. Can stain and may leave residue. Manufacturer directs mixing into usual milk or water for younger infants — not from the teaspoon directly in the youngest age band.

Key contents

14 vitamins/minerals including A, C, D3 (10 µg per 5 ml), B vitamins, iron, zinc, copper — plus malt extract

Age banding (label)

6 months to 4 years

Practical notes

Contains iron (excess harmful to young children — keep out of reach). Contains gluten from barley malt. Colour may darken after opening (iron). Vegetarian; not vegan (vitamin D from lanolin). Food supplement, not a medicine.

Vitabiotics — Wellbaby Multi-vitamin Liquid

Flavour(s)

Malt (Swiss Alpine malt); some pack copy also mentions orange

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Measured with included syringe. Sweet malt taste. Smaller volume than the 5 ml liquid — may suit children who refuse spoonfuls of syrup.

Key contents

Vitamins A, C, D plus B vitamins, iron, zinc and L-lysine (14+ nutrients; check current label for exact list)

Age banding (label)

4 to 24 months (manufacturer age banding)

Practical notes

Contains iron — overdose risk in the household. Contains barley malt (gluten). Food supplement. Confirm age directions on the box before use.

Vitabiotics — Wellbaby Multi-vitamin Drops

Flavour(s)

Orange

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Oil drops (sunflower seed oil / MCT base) — oily mouthfeel. Can be mixed into food or drink, or taken directly. Citrus orange flavour.

Key contents

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) only — typically 100 IU (2.5 µg) per drop; strength variants exist

Age banding (label)

Manufacturer materials: infants/children (commonly stated from 6 months for the 100 IU drops) — follow labelled age and clinician advice

Practical notes

Vitamin D only — not a multivitamin. Free from peanut and soya per pharmacy product information. Used when vitamin D alone is the gap under discussion. Do not stack multiple vitamin D products without advice.

Synergy Biologics — Pro D3

Flavour(s)

Chocolate and marshmallow

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Fine spray onto the inside of the cheek — no tablet, no gummy chew. Sugar-free (xylitol). Flavour is sweet/chocolate-marshmallow rather than fruity; some ARFID children prefer this, others refuse novelty flavours.

Key contents

14 nutrients including vitamins A, C, D3 (10 µg), K1, B-complex, iodine, selenium — no iron

Age banding (label)

1 year and above

Practical notes

Contains vitamin K — unsuitable with some anticoagulants; seek medical advice if relevant. Vegetarian. Food supplement.

BetterYou — Multivitamin Kids Oral Spray

Flavour(s)

Orange; strawberry (separate packs)

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Chewy gelatine softie — sweet, fruity, sticky. Bovine gelatine (not vegetarian). Sugar + glucose syrup. Texture is often a deal-breaker or a win for sensory-driven ARFID; do not assume “kids like gummies”.

Key contents

Vitamins A, C, D, E, niacin, B6, B12 (7 vitamins; no iron/zinc in this Softies line)

Age banding (label)

3–12 years

Practical notes

Food supplement. Soft vitamin D per softie is lower than many liquid multis — check the label if vitamin D dose is under discussion with a clinician.

Haliborange — Multivitamin Softies

Flavour(s)

Strawberry or orange

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Soft chewable jelly (not hard tablet). Sugar-free sweeteners (maltitol/sorbitol) — excess may loosen stools. Bovine gelatine (not vegetarian). Citrus acidity in orange variant.

Key contents

11 vitamins (B-complex, C, D3 10 µg per 2 pastilles, E) plus flaxseed oil — no iron, calcium or zinc in this pastille

Age banding (label)

4–12 years (not under 4)

Practical notes

Food supplement. Designed to be chewed, not swallowed whole.

Vitabiotics — Wellkid Soft Jelly Pastilles

Flavour(s)

Orange

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Chewable/crunchy tablet — chalky mineral mouthfeel possible (calcium + iron). Sweet orange. May contain lactose in flavourings (check current label — milk allergen on some packs).

Key contents

Vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2, B6, niacin, plus calcium and iron

Age banding (label)

3 years and over

Practical notes

Contains iron — keep out of reach of younger children; overdose risk. Iron can taste metallic and contribute to constipation in some children. Vegetarian per brand FAQ for this product. Food supplement.

Haliborange — Multivitamins Calcium & Iron

Flavour(s)

Banana and vanilla

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Powder mixed into cool drinks or sprinkled on food. Banana/vanilla flavour; xylitol sweetener (excess may loosen stools). Graininess or flavour change in accepted foods can trigger refusal — some families trial in a tolerated drink first under dietitian guidance.

Key contents

Broad multi including vitamins A, C, D3 (10 µg per 2.5 g), K2, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals (see manufacturer table)

Age banding (label)

From 6 months (dose scoop varies by age band on label)

Practical notes

Contains iron. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans per manufacturer. Practitioner-facing brand often used when mixing into food is preferred to tablets. Food supplement — not a substitute for dietetic assessment.

BioCare — Children’s Complete Multinutrient

Flavour(s)

Forest fruits

Texture / mouthfeel (ARFID-relevant)

Dissolved drink — cloudy solution is normal (fat- and water-soluble vitamins). Fruit flavour; fizz and “medicine drink” smell can be a hard no for some ARFID children. Not a capsule to open.

Key contents

23 vitamins and minerals including A, D3, B-complex, C, E, K1, folic acid, iron, zinc, magnesium, iodine and trace elements

Age banding (label)

6 years and above

Practical notes

Contains iron. Vegetarian (vitamin D from lanolin — not vegan). Older Forceval Junior hard capsules are no longer the current junior offering — Soluble Junior is the manufacturer’s current junior food-supplement format. Sometimes listed on NHS formularies for children who cannot swallow tablets; still discuss with the clinical team.

Forceval — Soluble Junior