Sometimes you doubt whether your child is getting enough vitamins, for example if he/she is in a phase where he/she eats less or poorly. Or if your child is vegetarian, does he or she get all the vitamins? And if not, what could you supplement it with? There are also days when you have forgotten to give the necessary vitamins, can this be harmful? Don’t hesitate and learn what you need to know about vitamins for your baby and child.
Vitamin supplements
Experts disagree on the debate over whether all children need daily multivitamin or mineral supplements. For example, there is an American educational institution (the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)) that recommends that you only give your children supplements if the doctor prescribes them. They do not need any extras, because this is already included in the daily diet. On the other hand, it is indicated that taking supplements does not do any harm, as long as you do not exceed the daily allowance of vitamins and minerals (Recommended Daily Allowance; RDA). Other experts consider supplements to be beneficial as they can make up for the deficiencies in your child’s diet.
Most experts agree on the following:
- A daily supplement does not do any harm as long as it does not exceed the daily amount (applies to any vitamin or mineral),
- Some children, such as vegetarians or children who are sensitive to certain foods, may need a daily (specific) supplement to meet their daily intake of certain vitamins or minerals.
- Supplements are not a substitute for nutrition and should never be used to compensate for a poor diet. If your child is not eating well, give him multivitamins together with a step-by-step plan to improve eating behavior.
What vitamins are there?
Vegetarian
A general multivitamin for children (chewable or liquid) is sufficient, unless your child has special needs. If your child is vegetarian, the supplement should contain vitamins B12 and D, as well as riboflavin and calcium, as these may be lacking in his/her diet.
Every child
In general, children do not get enough vitamin D, so you must supplement this with vitamin supplements until the age of 4. This vitamin is good for the development of teeth and bones. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 10 µg, which is approximately equal to 0.01 milligrams. This is 200% of the recommended amount.
The Health Council recommends that children aged 0 to 4 years use a supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, unless they drink more than half a liter of infant formula or follow-on milk every day. The vitamin D drops of any desired brand help meet this specific need of children up to 4 years old. The water-based drops are odorless and tasteless and suitable for children who cannot yet chew.
Breastfed children
Vitamin K should also be given as a supplement for up to three months if breastfeeding. If you are not breastfeeding, this is not necessary, as this vitamin is included in formula, also known as bottle feeding.
Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting. The body itself produces vitamin K in the intestines, but this does not happen sufficiently in infants. Because breast milk contains too little vitamin K, the Health Council recommends that infants who are fully or partially breastfed receive extra vitamin K during the first three months of life.
With few dairy products
If your child does not drink milk or does not eat enough dairy products and only gets 15-20% calcium through a supplement, then other foods that contain calcium need to be found. An example is calcium-fortified orange juice.
Bad eater
If you are concerned about whether your child is getting all the daily necessities, for example because he refuses to put anything green in his mouth, you can give a supplement to suit your own mood.
What should you take into account?
Children under three years old cannot process large chunks well, so give them the liquid form instead of a tablet.
When choosing a vitamin supplement for your child, read the label thoroughly. Research has shown that some children consumed a surplus of vitamin A, folic acid and zinc through their diet and vitamin supplements. So it is good to keep an eye on which vitamins are in the food your child does eat. Unless your doctor says it’s okay.
Never replace a vitamin supplement with a vitamin drink. These vitamin drinks (including sports and energy drinks) are often full of caffeine and added sugars.
Never give your child more than the daily amount of vitamins. Some people prefer to think too much, but that does not apply to vitamins. An excess of certain vitamins can put your child at risk. For example, a surplus of iron. And an excess of certain vitamins can ensure that other vitamins are not absorbed, causing nutritional intake to become unbalanced.
Treat vitamins like medicine and not like sweets (that’s what the chewable tablets look like; like sweets). If your child consumes too many vitamins it can cause damage and even be fatal (especially with iron). Make sure the lids are child-resistant and keep the box out of the sight of children. If your child has taken too many vitamin tablets or drops, call the doctor to be sure, even if the vitamins do not contain iron.
read more
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