How to Choose a Multivitamin for Your Child
Adding a multivitamin to your child’s daily routine can help supplement their diet for complete nutrition, something your pediatrician may recommend. But how do you choose the right one?
Whether shopping online or at a store, there are a myriad of choices available when it comes to children’s supplements, but they’re not all created equal. Here are the four steps we recommend following to choose the right product for child’s nutritional needs:
Step No. 1: Examine your child’s diet.
Most often, a multivitamin is recommended for children once they begin eating solid foods and moving away from breast milk and formula, which provide balanced nutrition. See our blog on Vitamin D for information on the vitamin that is missing from breast milk. Since many children can be picky, the transition to solid food is the key time to pay attention to what you can get them to eat — make notes of likes and dislikes as well as any allergies that may be apparent. This can help you determine what, if any, nutrient gaps may exist in their diet.
Step No. 2: Talk to your pediatrician.
Bring these notes along with you to your child’s next doctor’s appointment and ask them if they think a multivitamin would be beneficial for your child. They may have a specific one in mind, or can help steer you toward a brand or dosage they feel would best benefit your little one. Your doctor is also the one to ask for tips on how get them to take the supplement.
Step No. 3: Do your research.
Like any purchase, it’s always best to research the products/brands you’re considering, especially if your child has allergies or specific dietary preferences (gluten free, vegan, etc.). Reach out to the manufacturer directly to discuss where the ingredients are sourced from, if they’re organic and if genetically modified ingredients are used to make their product, if this information isn’t readily available on their website. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because, after all, this product will be going inside your little one.
Step No. 4: Shop around.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it may take some trial and error to find the supplement that best agrees with your child in terms of taste, formulation (liquid, gummy, capsule, etc.) and tolerance. Does it cause indigestion? Can it be added to food to reduce fights over taking it?
Be sure to follow all dosage instructions carefully to make sure your child is getting all the benefits the supplement can provide. Bring the product you chose to your child’s next physical, so they can verify it’s a good fit. Some good rules to keep in mind for children’s products are to go as natural as possible, avoid common allergens (soy, wheat, dairy, etc.) and pass on products with extreme doses — anything above 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance simply isn’t necessary.
A great multivitamin can benefit your child in a number of ways, such as strengthening their immune system, building strong bones and supporting digestion. Follow these steps and you’ll feel good about giving it to them every day!
