Right, here's what this is about.
As a population we're a bit low on certain vitamins, especially vit D (because we stay in too much, there's not much sun outside anyway and we cover up our kids in the sunshine). Iron is another concern.
The term, healthy baby whose cord was cut after it stopped pulsating will have sufficient iron stores for around 6-12 months. BM has a very easily absorbed version of iron in it, but between 6-12 months it's worth ensuring that babies are starting to get it in their solids. Meat is the easiest way. A BLWed baby can be given a chunk of meat to gum/suck on and will suck out all the necessary that way. Puree-fed babies can just be given pureed meat. Much better than rice milk or veg.
Formula has added into it all the vitamins and iron that's needed (rather like taking a multi-vit) although this can lead to too much of these things which can also be unhealthy in itself.
Your HV is quite wrong that "if you BF at all" you need vit drops. That's mad. Rather, if you continue to exclusively breastfeed there are some essential vits that you may wish to add in artificially if in your personal circumstance you feel there's a risk of them being lowered, for instance:
- if your baby's cord was cut early (iron)
- if you don't get out in the sunshine, or are covered up (eg for cultural reasons) (Vit D)
- if your diet isn't healthy, or you have trouble absorbing nutrients (general vits)
- if your baby was early (more than about 4 weeks early) you should have separate advice, as prem babies don't get the final stock-up of vits from their mother which is passed over in the last month of pregnancy.
If you are starting to wean soon, provided you give a good range of foods including meat or other high-iron foods, and there's no other risk factors, chances are vit drops are a waste of time. If you're more comfortable offering them, that's fine too.
But your HV implied that BFing will strip out vits or something! FFS.