The life of a child can be hectic. Between crazy schedules and finicky appetites, the little ones may not always get the type of nutrition they need to be as healthy as they can be. Just as adults can supplement to ensure that they get all the vitamins and minerals they need for proper bodily function, so can kids. The trick is in finding the right multivitamin for your child--one he is willing to take and one that you are comfortable giving to him.
Vitamin Content
The vitamin content is the most important part of the selection process when it comes to choosing the right multivitamin for your little one. Choose multivitamins that are designed specifically to meet the growing needs of children. Vitamin C and Vitamin D are important for bone health and a strong immune system. Calcium, the B-complex vitamins and Vitamins E and K are also important components of a healthy child vitamin.
According to the Baby Center website, parents should remember that vitamins are meant to supplemented with healthy food choices. A quick look at the back of the bottle can help you to determine whether or not your child's vitamins contain the complete recommended daily value for her age.
Palatability to Children
For adults, taking a vitamin is usually no more complicated than drinking a glass of water and popping a pill. With children, nothing is that easy. For this reason, vitamin companies are making vitamins easier for children to deal with. Chewable vitamins, gummy vitamins and fun-shaped, flavored vitamins are best for small children who might otherwise be averse to taking them. Just remember to keep them out of the reach of children, as it is easy for little ones to mistake them for candy.
Your Child's Specific Needs
Some children have a different need for multivitamins than others. Debby Demory-Luce, a registered dietitian with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, says that a child's multivitamins should be used as insurance that your little one is getting all he needs in his little body. The body can shed excess vitamins, so there is no risk of a serious overdose of the vitamins found in a child's multivitamin.
A child on a vegetarian diet would have a different set of needs than a child on a regular diet. Talk to your doctor about your child's diet and see if the doctor has any special recommendations on vitamin supplements to try.
