This study determined the nature and prevalence of CAM use in the Irish paediatric population. Parental questionnaires were distributed in 13 paediatric settings over a 4-month period; 57% of parents reported using CAM for their child. Use was significantly higher in the 2–4 year age group (34/105, 32%). The most common medicinal CAMs used were vitamins (88%), fish oils (27%) and echinacea (26%). The most common non-medicinal CAMs used were homoeopathy (16%) and craniosacral therapy (14%). Use varied between paediatric specialties, with the highest in neurological patients (23/25, 92%). Only 13% of parents had informed their paediatrician of the child’s CAM use.