VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS · GUIDE
Formulas in Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Children and Older Adults: Safety Summary
A plain summary of what the NHS, FDA, NCCIH and EFSA say about multivitamins and blends in pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood and older age, with reference levels.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to Supplement FormulasThis page summarizes official advice with the country named. It is not a recommendation for any person to take or avoid anything.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Discuss every product. The FDA says that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should discuss any dietary supplement with a health care professional. [2]
- Folic acid (UK advice). The NHS recommends a 400 microgram folic acid supplement daily for people who are pregnant, trying for a baby or could get pregnant, until 12 weeks of pregnancy. Some women at higher risk are advised to take 5 mg, after speaking to a doctor first. [3]
- Vitamin D (UK advice). The NHS lists 10 micrograms a day as the amount adults need, and says this includes pregnant and breastfeeding women. [4]
- Vitamin A and liver. The NHS says liver and foods containing liver have high levels of vitamin A, which can be harmful to the baby. [5] The NHS also advises avoiding liver and liver products in pregnancy. [6]
- Not just a "prenatal" label. What a product labeled "prenatal" contains is covered on prenatal and postnatal vitamins and prenatal vitamin contents.
EFSA (EU, version of August 2025) gives the same adult upper levels for pregnancy and lactation for several nutrients. These are limits for total daily intake from all sources, not targets. [7]
| Nutrient (form) | Adults | Pregnancy | Lactation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (retinol and retinyl esters) | 3,000 µg RE per day | 3,000 µg RE | 3,000 µg RE |
| Vitamin D | 100 µg per day | 100 µg | 100 µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 12 mg per day | 12 mg | 12 mg |
| Folate (folic acid and added forms) | 1,000 µg per day | 1,000 µg | 1,000 µg |
| Iodine | 600 µg per day | 600 µg | 600 µg |
| Iron | No upper level; "safe level" 40 mg | 40 mg | 40 mg |
Source for the table: EFSA, 2025. [7] See also the site's pregnancy and breastfeeding safety page.
Infants and children
- Keep to the label and do not double up. The NHS says having too much of some vitamins can be harmful, to keep to the dose on the label and not give a child two supplements at once. It gives cod liver oil plus vitamin drops as an example, because both contain vitamins A and D. [8]
- UK advice for young children. The government recommends vitamin supplements containing vitamins A, C and D for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Babies having more than 500 ml of infant formula a day should not be given vitamin supplements. [8]
- Medicines. The FDA says children's bodies handle substances at different rates at different ages, and that children could be harmed by taking both supplements and medicines. [2]
- Iron. The NHS says very high doses of iron can be fatal, particularly in children, and to keep iron supplements out of reach. [9]
EFSA upper levels for young children are lower than adult levels (EU, 2025). [7]
| Nutrient | 1 to 3 years | 4 to 6 years |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (retinol) | 800 µg RE per day | 1,100 µg RE |
| Vitamin D | 50 µg | 50 µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 3.2 mg | 4.5 mg |
| Folate (folic acid and added forms) | 200 µg | 300 µg |
| Zinc | 7 mg | 10 mg |
| Iodine | 200 µg | 250 µg |
| Selenium | 70 µg | 95 µg |
| Iron | "Safe level" 10 mg | "Safe level" 15 mg |
For vitamin D, the NHS (UK) says children aged 1 to 10 years should not have more than 50 micrograms a day and infants under 12 months not more than 25 micrograms. [4] More on products for children is on vitamins for children and teenagers and children's multivitamins.
Older adults
- Vitamin A and bones. The NHS says women after menopause and older men, who are at more risk of osteoporosis, should avoid having more than 1.5 mg of vitamin A a day from food and supplements. [6]
- Large pills. NCCIH notes that many emergency visits involve older adults having swallowing problems from taking large vitamin pills. [1]
- Sensitivity. For manganese, the NHS gives a lower amount for older people, who may be more sensitive. [10]
- Many medicines. More medicines means more chances for an interaction; see the interaction reference. Related pages: vitamins for older adults and older adults and natural remedy safety.
Kidney or liver disease at any age
See formulas before surgery and with kidney, liver or thyroid conditions.Who to ask
A pharmacist can compare labels against upper levels and check medicines. A clinician can say what, if anything, is right for a pregnancy, a child or an older person. The FDA advises talking to a doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional before using a supplement. [11]Frequently asked questions
Is a multivitamin safe in pregnancy?
That depends on the product and the person. Many supplements have not been tested in pregnancy, so the FDA advises discussing any supplement with a health care professional. [1] [2]
Can I eat liver while pregnant?
The NHS (UK) advises avoiding liver and liver products in pregnancy because of their high vitamin A content. [6] [5]
Can I give my child my own multivitamin?
Adult products can contain different amounts, and iron is a particular concern. MedlinePlus says a severe overdose can happen if a child eats adult multivitamins, such as prenatal vitamins. [12] Ask a pharmacist before giving any supplement.
Do older adults need different supplements?
Some limits are lower for older adults, such as vitamin A guidance for people at risk of osteoporosis. [6] A clinician can look at diet, medicines and test results.
What if I think a child swallowed vitamins?
Use the overdose page. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222. [12]
References
- NCCIH: Using Dietary Supplements Wisely (last updated January 2019). Read 2026-10-23.
- FDA: Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health (content current 2 June 2022). Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS: Vitamins and minerals, B vitamins and folic acid (page last reviewed 3 August 2020). Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS: Vitamins and minerals, Vitamin D (page last reviewed 3 August 2020). Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (page last reviewed 15 June 2026). Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS: Vitamins and minerals, Vitamin A (page last reviewed 3 August 2020). Read 2026-10-23.
- EFSA: Overview on Tolerable Upper Intake Levels as derived by the SCF and the EFSA NDA Panel, Version 11, August 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS: Vitamins for children (page last reviewed 30 May 2024). Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS: Vitamins and minerals, Iron (page last reviewed 3 August 2020). Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS: Vitamins and minerals, Others (zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese, beta-carotene; page last reviewed 3 August 2020). Read 2026-10-23.
- FDA: Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements (content current 21 October 2022). Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus: Iron overdose (review date 14 October 2025). Read 2026-10-23.