The ABC’s of Children’s Vitamins

Many doctors recommend that your child take a daily multi-vitamin. Although some experts claim that this is unnecessary since so many foods are fortified, the bottom line is that as long as you don’t give your child more than the recommended vitamin dosage, a multi-vitamin can not hurt your child.

There are special circumstances where a multi-vitamin is a virtual necessity. If you have a child who is a picky eater and rarely indulges in vegetables or healthy foods, you definitely want to supplement his intake with the proper vitamins and nutrients. Other cases where a daily vitamin would be the best choice are for kids with certain food sensitivities that cause them to miss out on certain recommended daily allowances.

Perhaps some of the opposition to dietary supplements has arisen from the fact that experts want to stress that a daily multi-vitamin is not a substitute for nutritional food. A child should not dine only on sugary foods or greasy burgers and fries and be given a multi-vitamin to justify the non-balanced diet. A children’s vitamin should be an addition to an already well-rounded nutritional plan.

If you’re considering giving your child a daily vitamin, but you’re not sure which type to give him or her, the good news is that it’s easy to choose. Any generic multi-vitamin specifically designed for children is adequate. Liquid and chewable forms are available, both providing the same benefits.

The most important thing to remember is that although a children’s vitamin is a healthy addition to your child’s diet, no dietary supplement contains 100 percent of every vitamin or mineral. For this reason, you need to be sure that your child still obtains that nutrient through regular food sources. For example, although your child’s multi-vitamin contains Vitamin C, it’s best to make sure he or she consumes enough of that vitamin. An orange as a snack is a great food choice.

Keep in mind that when it comes to vitamins, too much of a good thing could be hazardous to your child’s health. Never double up on vitamins if your child didn’t eat well or you think he or she could benefit from an extra dose. There are serious health risks associated with overdose. If you suspect that your child has overdosed on vitamins, it’s important that you contact the Poison Control Center immediately.