SalfordOnline

A Swinton mum and her toddler are the faces of a new campaign aimed at ensuring pregnant women, their unborn babies and youngsters get off to a healthy start.

Cheryl Butler and three-year-old Joshua are featuring on the front of posters, leaflets and pop-up banners across the city promoting the Healthy Start scheme.

Contact your Health Visitor to find out how to get free vitamins for your children

It was rolled-out in November 2014 by NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to distribute free vitamins to all pregnant women, women up to 12-months post-natal and children aged between six months and five years in Salford.

The vitamins, previously only offered free of charge to those on benefits or low incomes, contain the right amount of vitamin D to help strengthen babies’ bones and vitamin C – to look after healthy tissue – as recommended by government guidelines.

At the moment 8% of children under five in the UK don’t have enough vitamin A in their diet and all pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children are at risk of vitamin D deficiency

Cheryl – who has three young children, including 12-week old Noah – said: “I think the provision of these vitamins is an excellent idea and I’d encourage all those who are pregnant, just given birth, and those with children between six months and five years old to take full advantage.

“I took the vitamins during my pregnancy, am continuing to take them now and ensuring the kids receive their supplements too, which come in the form of handy drops.”

Dr Babar Farooq, GP at Blackfriars Medical Practice in Salford and clinical lead for children and young people at Salford CCG said: “The vast majority of vitamin D – some 90 per cent – is traditionally gathered through sunlight with the rest through eating foods, such as oily fish, eggs and fortified cereals.

"However, given the UK’s unpredictable climate, it’s fair to say a helping hand is sometimes needed.

“This initiative will enable all families in Salford to provide their small children with all of the essential vitamins necessary for a healthy start to life.”

The free supplements for pregnant women also contain folic acid, helping prevent spina bifida: where the spine doesn’t form properly in the womb. The children’s vitamins – which come in the form of drops – also contain vitamin A for growth, good eyesight and healthy skin.