Does Your Child Take Vitamins?

Updated on March 26, 2009
J.G. asks from Canton, OH
10 answers

My son is 18 months and I forgot to ask my ped at his appointment yesterday--should he be getting vitamins? He eats pretty well (just doesn't like meat a whole lot-probably the texture)...Thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Cleveland on

A multivitamin would probably be a good idea. There are several types out there, gummies, chewables, liquids that you can put in applesauce or baby food.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.S.

answers from Lima on

If he is still on formula then no. If he is on whole milk, no. Now if he is on like 2% or less, then yes. My doctor told me that my daughter could start drinking what we drink, but to give her a vitamin (since we drank 2%). Since my daughter cannot chew hard foods, there is a vitamin Enfamil makes for infants & toddlers and it's just a 1ml dropful every day. My daughter takes it like it's candy! It smells bad but my daughter likes the taste. It's thick too, kind of like honey.

If you feel you need to call the doctor then do, but they do make over the counter vitamins at Walmart, etc. The Enfamil vitamin is kind of expensive though. I think I paid like $10 for it. Vitamins will not hurt!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Lafayette on

Hello J.,

I have used a nutritional supplement for the past 4 years. My oldest daughter had many ear infections to the point she had to have tubes in her ears. My middle daughter had quite a few ear infections. She was 10 1/2 months when we found out about this awesome supplement. For my youngest daughter, I used this product as a prenatal with the blessing of my OB Dr. and had a great pregnancy. She has gotten this nutrition since birth and has had maybe one ear infection. Can't even remember. I would recommend finding a high quality nutritional supplement. We have found this to make a huge difference. If you want to know what I used, let me know. I would be happy to help you.

Have a blessed day!
S.

L.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi J.
I am so pleased to hear that you are even considering vitamins for your son. My children did not take vitamins when they were young and in daycare, and were sick all the time. Since learning about the importance of nutritional supplementation, i have recommended these supplements to various mothers and have had great feedback. The kids have less visits to the doctor and less days out sick. As you know being a working mom, this is relevant as you lose pay when not working.
The supplements i am recommending are not available at Kroger, so if you'd like more info on them, please call me at ###-###-#### or email me
Please don't give your kids Flintstones, or Gummy Vites etc they are full of sugar and fillers.
I look forward to hearing from you.
By the way, my kids are 18 and 15 and are very healthy because of nutritional supplementation.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

My 17 month old takes a liquid daily vitamin that I give to him in a dropper. It looks disgusting, but he doesn't seem to mind it at all! I have looked at Walmart, but couldn't find it there, so I get it at CVS.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Toledo on

Hi J., Just because your little one seems to eat well does not mean he is getting all the nutrition he may need. Due to the soil, processing etc....a lot of nutrition is depleted in our foods. I am in the health and wellness industry and I do believe that all children should be taking supplements. However be careful what you choose, even some of the gummy bear vitamins have a "insignificant" amount of LEAD in them. Be careful of dyes (red40) and artificial flavoring all of which negate the use of a vitamins. Some of them have more sugar than a candy bar:( Be more than happy to talk more.
Good luck in your search and if you would like more info please let me know.
S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.G.

answers from Columbus on

Hi J.,

Yes. My children take vitamins, twice a day, everyday. It is a myth that we can get everything we need from our food. Out of 26,000 extremely healthy eaters, not one was found to obtain even the RDA levels of nutrients, which is the absolute minimum your body requires to prevent diseases like scurvy and ricketts. Because not all vitamins are created equal, I recommend looking for a pharmaceutical grade nutrition supplement for your son. A book called the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (children's edition) by Lyle MacWilliam is a great resource!

All my best,
D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I think we put our daughter on vitamins at about 18 months. She takes "My First Flintstones." That's what was recommended to us by our doctor. She loves them! At first I had to cut them in half because they are hard to chew. They also make liquid vitamins, but I think they are quite a bit more expensive.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Nope, I breastfeed and don't worry about vitamins for either child. Your son is probably fine - there are plenty of vegetarian toddlers out there who are perfectly healthy. Make sure he gets protein from other foods like beans and eggs. At that age, you are supposed to look at a week's worth of food to see if they are eating a balanced diet, don't worry about each meal or even a whole day because they can be picky and appetite can come and go with each day.
Type of milk has nothing to do with nutrients in it. Skim milk has the same everything except fat that whole milk does so what type of milk you give him has no baring on whether or not you need vitamins, as long as it's cow's milk. However, if you are using goats', soy, rice, almond, etc..., you do need to look specifically at what they contain and supplement for what's missing.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Columbus on

At my daughter's 15 month appt our ped said she could start on chewable vitamins (half of a children's chewable) if she could chew it and if not, stick with the liquid until she could. She is still on whole milk and is average in height and weight (though her growth may be slowing a bit so maybe that's why he recommended it?). She has a balanced diet that might be a bit low on protein but otherwise healthy (few preservatives, no artificail sweetners, little added sugar, etc). I'd call your ped's office and see what they recommend.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches