Free Vitamins For New Mums In Southampton

5 August 2014, 08:33 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Free vitamins are being offered to all pregnant women and new mums in Southampton.

A pilot scheme launched by the City Council's public health team called Healthy Start enables women to collect these vitamins through their midwife or health visitor. The first 500 families will also receive a free Healthy Start teddy.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr Andrew Mortimore, Director of Public Health at Southampton City Council said:

"Eating well is vital throughout life, but there are certain times when it's even more important to get it right. Pregnancy and the early years of life are two such times but we recognise these can also be the most challenging, so we've tried to help by launching a city-wide pilot scheme."

Councillor Dave Shields added:

"Nationally, these vitamins are free for women if they are on various income support. However, we understand they're expensive for all concerned. So in Southampton, we've tried to help out and ensure people aren't excluded due to their incomes by making them free for all expectant and new mums!"

If you are pregnant or have a baby under 12 months, speak to your midwife, health visitor or Sure Start centre about Healthy Start vitamins and pick up your free teddy! You can also find more information at http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/.

The Healthy Start maternal tablets available free for all pregnant women in Southampton contain folic acid and vitamins D and C. Children's drops are free to all infants under 12 months old in Southampton and contain vitamins A, C and D.

You can collect your vitamins from locations across the city including:

- Pickles Coppice, Windermere Avenue (Mon - Fri 9 - 5)
- Sure Start Central, Clovelly Road (Mon - Fri 9 - 5)
- Sure Start Thornhill, Byron Road (Mon - Fri 9 - 5)
- Sure Start Weston, Foxcott Close (Mon - Fri 9 - 5)
- Sure Start Swaythling, Honeysuckle Road (Mon - Fri 9 - 5)
- Cutbush Children's Centre, Cutbush Lane (Mon - Fri 9 - 5)