Children's Vitamins, Supplements & Nutrition

Should You Boost Your Children's Vitamins With a Supplement?

Generally, children's vitamins supplements are not necessary if kids are getting all of their required daily vitamins and minerals by eating a healthy, balanced diet of a variety of foods.

Vitamins are organic compounds that help with a child's development and functioning of the organs, in addition to many other roles.

Each vitamin plays a specific role, and no one food source provides all of the necessary vitamins. Most children do eat a varied enough diet to meet their vitamin and mineral needs, and a lot of our food is also fortified or enriched with extra nutrients.

Children's vitamin intake requirements change depending on the child's diet, age, stage of development, health conditions and activity levels.

For example:

A very restrictive vegetarian diet may increase the need for children's vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, especially iron, calcium, protein, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D and zinc.
A very low-fat diet may limit absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and might require a children's vitamin A supplement.
Vitamin D comes mainly from exposure to the sun, so inactive children who don't spend enough time outdoors may need a children's vitamin D supplement.
Babies who are breastfeeding may need extra iron, fluouride, and vitamins A, C and D in the form of supplement drops.

Children's vitamin supplements should rarely be given in individual dosages, and you should always check with your doctor about the best ways to ensure your child's health and nutrition.

Most doctors, if recommending a supplement for a child, would recommend a children's multivitamin.

Most parents, when thinking about their children's vitamin needs, will worry more about there being an inadequate amount than an excess amount. Both situations are indicative of malnutrition, which is an imbalance — either an excess or a deficiency — of energy and nutrients.

Find out more about children's vitamins and supplements and child nutrition here at Boost Daily Vitamins.