K.A. asks from North Attleboro, MA on August 28, 2009
How to Give Babies Those Stinky Vitamins?
I have twin boys who are 16 months old. I have to admit I haven't been good at all about giving them their vitamins (poly vi sol). I really want to start but they will NOT take them because of the smell or taste. How do you all give them their vitamins? I believe you can't give it with milk or the iron won't absorb and they're too young to give juice. Thoughts? thank you!
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So What Happened?™
thank you all for your ideas and thoughts. i think i'll try the tri vi sol (after talking to the doc) or even one of the other vitamins people recommended. so thank you for your help. and the "too young for juice thing" is just my preference. i want them to prefer water or milk rather than juice for as long as possible!
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N.S. answers from Boston on August 29, 2009
My son never took his. I tried it thinking how bad can it be? To say the least after that I never tried to give them to him again. We finished off the kind w/out iron and then I called the pedi. I was able to give him 1/2 tabs of flinstones. I know he was closer to 2 but they base the dose on weight so I'd call and ask. Good Luck!
T.S. answers from Portland on August 29, 2009
I second the flinstones. They make a my first flinstones that are a little smaller and easier to chew.
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D.B. answers from Boston on August 29, 2009
I would look at the labels of everything that has been recommended here. If there is any sort of warning label (e.g. Flintstones definitely has one), then I wouldn't give it at all. Many pediatricians will tell you that these products are not properly absorbed so you are just creating "expensive urine" and wasting your money. Kids are not getting their nutrients from food (neither are we!) because the food is either overprocessed or it is fruit grown in depleted soil or vegetables picked early and shipped 1000 miles so there isn't a vitamin left in it. That's why we see so many issues related to insufficient nutrition.
I would steer away from any pills or even chewables - the absorption rate is very low. And if stuff tastes yucky, what are you accomplishing except creating a battleground that is frustrating for you and for the kids. It teaches them that what's good for them tastes awful and what's bad for them is delicious!
All my friends have their children on Now for Kids from Reliv - it's a unique blend of everything they need in a highly absorbable formula. I just came from a conference in which various MDs presented their findings on how this product saves the lives of so many kids, makes antibiotics more absorbable (especially in poverty-stricken areas where there is more disease), and they showed us before-and-after pictures. It's the best thing you can buy, and it's a delicious vanilla or chocolate flavor that you mix in milk, water or whatever. I can give you more info and connect you to other parents whose kids have had a 180-degree turnaround. Love to share.
R.P. answers from Boston on August 29, 2009
hi K., i always had a hard time giving my kids medicine too. but here's what i dont understand, why do u think your twins are to young for juice? they've been old enough for a while for u to give them juice. they should be drinking juice by now. i'm not sure about the milk absorbing thing. but i can honestly say hiding it in juice will work becasue they cannot taste it and never let them see u doing it then they really wont wnat to drink it. ask their pedi about juice drinking i'm sure she or he will assure u they ar no too young. good luck
B.H. answers from Boston on August 29, 2009
I have given our now 21-month-old daughter TriViSol stirred into her oatmeal, and now applesauce - no problems...this is standard advice for those who start out exclusively breastfeeding, as I did - and we have stuck with it ever since.
N.S. answers from Boston on August 29, 2009
My son never took his. I tried it thinking how bad can it be? To say the least after that I never tried to give them to him again. We finished off the kind w/out iron and then I called the pedi. I was able to give him 1/2 tabs of flinstones. I know he was closer to 2 but they base the dose on weight so I'd call and ask. Good Luck!
L.L. answers from Portland on August 29, 2009
Who told you they are too young for juice? Did your doctor tell you that?
I never heard of such a thing.
Interesting that polyvisol is still around...in my day we used to just pinch their cheeks a bit, squirt it in..holding cheeks ( and head up ) and follow it with a bit of juice. ( My seven children and fifteen grandchildren still live healthily in spite of the juice chaser )
In fact , back in the day, docs would have us start babies on baby orange juice when they were about two months old..hehe...dont think I would advocate that early juice start these days.
Why dont you ask your ped about the mixing it with milk thing? Word tho, I think the taste of polyvisol is quite strong and will persist when diluted.
Can you switch to another , more palatable vitamin? Did you ask if vitamins are necessary ? Especially with the iron in them.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell
J.S. answers from Boston on August 29, 2009
I second Melinda's question/suggestion. Our pediatrician had me give my daughter those vitamins only when she was breast fed (for iron I think). Once on solid food we were told she could discontinue and have since done so. Perhaps you should re-check with your pediatrician as to why you need them?
L.M. answers from Boston on August 30, 2009
Try tri vi sol instead.
T.Q. answers from Boston on August 28, 2009
get flinstone chewables my daughter loves them
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