Kids vitamins and mineral supplements

~♥Little Miss - posted on 06/08/2012

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~DM MoD Little Miss~

Jen - posted on 06/08/2012

meh, the evidence that they're that beneficial if you eat a healthy diet is sketchy. I give my son one when I remember and sometimes I eat the children's vitamins because in adult vitamins, the iron concentration makes me both nauseated to the point of vomiting or I get uh, backed up.

Becky - posted on 06/07/2012

Sherri, did you mean "Are really lacking on Vit. D?" Or is there new data now that we're not, as much as they suspected we were?
I give my kids a multi-vitamin with iron because my oldest son doesn't like meat, or veggies, and we just had his blood tested and he actually is a bit low on iron. I also give them an extra Vit. D supplement to boost their immune system, because up north where we are, you just don't get enough sun for enough of the year.

Sherri - posted on 06/07/2012

My pediatrician has all my kids take a multi vitamin daily and has my infant take vitamin D drops and has me taking a multi vitamin because I am breastfeeding. The new data that is coming in states that most children and most adults are not really lacking in Vitamin D. So to prevent this from happening she has us all on a multi vitamin and my baby on just on Vitamin D. drops.

Jakki - posted on 06/07/2012

I think you need to make the distinction between vitamins and herbal medicines. I don't have much faith in vitamin supplements becauyse I'd rather give my kids a good diet and let them get their needs from real food.

Although apparently it's not recommended, I insist on my kids eating their dinner if they want something sweet afterwards. So I'm confident they're getting all the vitamins and minerals they need.

But there are some herbal medicines that have been shown to help for specific conditions or illnesses, and I think they actually help. Like garlic and echinacea for a cold - you can't go wrong!

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Carol - posted on 04/19/2011

Supplements are not needed if you eat a healthy diet. Whole foods are the best. It is normal for kids to start getting colds the first time they start daycare. Believe me, this happens to every family. This will build up their immune system.

Jackie - posted on 04/19/2011

Vitamins won't prevent a cold...and this will be the first of MANY if you are just starting daycare. That's what daycares do, they pass aroud the cold to the entire class, then someone comes in with a new strain and it starts over. THere's nothing you can do about it - it comes with the territory...but what WILL boost her immune system is dealing with all these germs, it's actually good for them in the long run.

and yes supplements are fine as long as they dont take more than the recommended dose. For us we give them to my daughter b/c her diet is horrible....she def. doesn't get all her nutrients that way b/c she is so picky. But I"ve asked her dr. before he said she's healthy so she doesn't need them, but they won't hurt if you want to offer them. Basically they only became needed if seh started losing weight/getting unhealthy.

Frances - posted on 04/19/2011

I think if a kid eats a healthy diet, supplements are usually not needed. My youngest was lactose intolerant, so I gave him calcium supplements starting at 15 months.

Nikki - posted on 04/19/2011

Thanks Ladies, I ended up getting her some vitamins and probiotic from the health food store, we also got some cold and flu defence which the naturopath said would help to reduce the severity of the cold. Interestingly although I was sceptical her cold has gone within 48 hours, not sure if it's a coincidence but I will try it again next time.

I think I will keep up the vitamins, because although she has a healthy diet, she has just switched from goats milk formula to regular goats milk, so she is getting less vitamins than she used to. I know most of them just pass through your system if they are not required but it can't hurt.

Sherri - posted on 04/18/2011

My youngest son must have them as he doesn't drink milk and it is imperative that he receives his proper Vitamin D, and Calcium amts.

There is positively nothing harmful in them and can only benefit her. However, will they help prevent a cold I have to say most likely not. That comes more from coming in contact with germs and putting her germy hands in her mouth, nose or eyes.

Charlie - posted on 04/18/2011

I've been wondering if I should give Cooper multi's !

Julianne - posted on 04/18/2011

I take probiotics and so does gabby.
We don't do multivitamins though. If you eat a variety of healthy foods, then you get everything your body needs.

Jenn - posted on 04/18/2011

My kids don't take them. I think as long as you are eating a wide variety of foods, you should be getting all of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Cathi - posted on 04/18/2011

We give our kiddos vitamins from Arbonne - chewables. All of their products are pure, safe and beneficial! They are formulated with the highest quality vitamins, minerals, botanicals and superfood antioxidants - including 300 mg of calcium (equivalent of a glass of milk). Good for 4 and over - even into the teens.

Toni - posted on 04/16/2011

I give my kids vit c and a multi. My oldest also has omega 3, b6 and another vitamin. Its a program we've just started him on to help with his behaviour.

Mel - posted on 04/16/2011

the vitamin c appeared to help my daughter not get as many colds, as soon as she refused to have them anymore she started getting sick but Ive not evn offered them to her in about a year now. I think its probably worth it if you have the money to throw away. They have vitamin lollies in the shops for kids but theyre really expensive.. People tell me I should be givng my kids fish oil and taking it in pregnancy to prevent problems in the baby, but I only gave fish oil to them as newborns

Amber - posted on 04/15/2011

I'm aware how they do things, I live with one. And he doesn't think it's a non-issue to eat a whole bottle of vitamins either. Maybe there wouldn't be side effects in some, but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous and shouldn't be worried about.

Medic - posted on 04/15/2011

"may suffer health risks" is the key phrase. If your kids eat apple seeds they may end up with cyanide poisoning, but its not guaranteed. There are always possible risks to everything we eat, drink and do and drs and other higher ups err on the side of caution when it comes to advising the public.

Amber - posted on 04/15/2011

According to the National Library of Medicine, several brands of gummy vitamins contain 100 micrograms of Vitamin D per unit. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons warns that more than 2,000 micrograms of Vitamin D each day can pose danger, so a person who eats 20 of these gummies may suffer health risks.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/299632...

Medic - posted on 04/15/2011

Umm Kati- the amount of vitamin A in kids vitamins would make it nearly impossible to od on it. You would have to eat multiple bottles of the stuff.



Being a paramedic we only worry about the kids that eat the whole bottle that has iron in it. There is NO medical emergency to eating a bottle of OTC vitamins without iron.

Rosie - posted on 04/15/2011

um jennifer, yeah theres harm. you can get too much vitamin A and that can cause liver damage, failure to thrive, brain bulging, all sorts of lovely things.

Medic - posted on 04/15/2011

I give both of my kids vitamins. There is no harm in them eating a whole bottle as long as they do not have iron in them. Neither of my kids have the iron fortified one, we use an organic brand and it helps because even though my kids eat really healthy my 14 month old seems to think that only eating from one or two food groups a week and rotating it is the way to go and some times my 4 year old is moody and swears off a food for a bit. The body has no problem absorbing what it needs so they are not a waste either, and since I do not have the time to tell you what specific vitamins and minerals my kids are lacking every week its a lot easier to just cover them all.

Amber - posted on 04/15/2011

My son goes to daycare part-time and his dad works in an ER. So, I give him vitamins every day and take vitamins myself. We eat a healthy diet, but we get exposed to germs more than the average person.
Both of our doctors, and his dad, recommended that we do it.
His are the cartoon character kind, but they are stored in the highest cabinet in the kitchen and he can't reach them...hell, I can barely reach them.

Rosie - posted on 04/15/2011

i give them to the boys. i used to get the flintstones ones or similar, but have found i don't like the colors and sugar or artificial sweeteners in them. i get a brand that's a bit more pricy that they've been on for maybe a month. it has probiotics, and a vegetable complex in it too. i like them so far. however all of my kids have gotten strep about 2 weeks ago. this year my vinnie started kindergarten and he is bringing everything home as well. it's super frustrating, isn't it?? i also give them vitamin c when they are sick. i give my oldest and omega 3 pill as well. i just feel better knowing they are getting things they may be missing in their regular diet.

Tyrae - posted on 04/15/2011

I think as long as they are getting a healthy diet supplementes aren't needed. That being said to boost an immune system Vit C is the way to go. That's what I use whenever I have a cold or flu (I don't like medicine unless it's absolutely needed).

Teresa - posted on 04/15/2011

We've done Flintstone's from time to time. Yep, sweet, cartoony characters. :) I don't remember the last time we got them though. LONG time.

Minnie - posted on 04/15/2011

We give maintenance doses of sodium ascorbate (vit C) and we all take vitamin d daily. We just don't get enough sun in NH from October to April. My children rarely get sick. When we do get sick, which is like twice a year, we take elderberry and megadoses of sodium ascorbate.

Caitlin - posted on 04/15/2011

Oh and I have issues with viatmins and such that are gummies, or have some cartoon character on them, because i've personally known 2 moms who freaked out after having their kids eat a whole jar because they "tasted good". I don't care how safe your medicine cabinet is (ours is locked) those things are just a disaster waiting to happen. I cringe everytime I tell my daughter she's getting her allergy medication and she comes running TO me...

Nikki - posted on 04/15/2011

Also, Enfamil makes one called Poly-Vi-Sol, you have to mix it in something as it has a really metallic taste, but it is for infants and toddlers

Louise - posted on 04/15/2011

There is an multivitamin supplement that can be given to babies as young as 2 months old called ABIDEC which is added to there juice. There is also a multivitamin called Kindervital which is very good to boost immune system and is a great tonic when your child is recovering from illness. I gave kindervital to my daughter when she was getting over a nasty bug and was not eatting properly as it also contains calcium. It is always best to get your vitamins and minerals from food but there is nothing wrong with a top up every now and again.

Krista - posted on 04/15/2011

My kid is a daycare kid, and hence, a walking petri dish. As well, he goes through phases of toddler pickiness where he'll basically subsist on oxygen and bananas for a few meals.

So, we start off the day with a cup of toddler formula (or as they call it, "nutritional supplement") with a dropper full of liquid multivitamin (A,C and D) mixed in to it.

Does it help him? Hard to say. I can't see how it would hurt him, though.

Caitlin - posted on 04/15/2011

I don't think they work all that well to be honest. I don't plan to give any to my daughters unless there is a major lack in their diet. I don't think multi vitamins are properly absorbed by the body, and therefore mostly useless. It's normal for kids to get sick a lot when they are young, it's building their immune systems and though it really sucks when they are sick, they'll be better off in the long run I think. My mom was a clean freak and never let me near sick kids and i had a horrible immune system and when I get sick, still even now I get REALLY sick...

Nikki - posted on 04/15/2011

My kids have been taking a vtamin with iron since they started on whole milk. Any excess vitamins are flushed from the body, with the exceptio of vitamin D a a few others, so in conjunction wit a good diet in the correct dose, theyaren't harmful. If you are just worrid about the cold, and don't want t start a vitamin regimen,try gving her orange juice everyday with breakfast, it is loaded with vitamin C and a half cup shuldn't effect her all that much as far as sugar content goes.

Kelly - posted on 04/15/2011

J's pediatrician recommended vitamins when he was 3yrs old. He does eat healthy foods, but he does not always eat enough and he goes on "strikes", refusing certain foods, so while he does get all the groups over time, the vitamins help keep the nutrients balanced when he is skipping a food group or two.



He began kindy in public school this year and has only been out one day with a cough/runny nose, so I do think the vitamins help. He was not in daycare before, so I expected him to get sick more often.



We use a vitamin, not an herbal supplement. The first year, we had a prescription vitamin, but when he was 4, his doc switched him to an OTC one which is much less expensive. I would not give my kid any vitamin without talking to the doctor because over doses of some of them can be serious.

Stifler's - posted on 04/15/2011

I don't give them to Logan because he drinks formula still and he's never sick. Mum always gave us vitamin c or echinacea to boost our immune systems though when I was a kid.



Edited to add: I never had runny noses, gastro etc. I got the flu once a year for a week and that was the extent of me ever being ill.