A child who is under 2 needs adequate vitamins so that he can grow and develop. According to MayoClinic.com, different doctors feel differently about the need for children at this age to take a vitamin supplement and recommend speaking to your child's doctor if you are concerned about deficiencies. A healthy and balanced diet should help your child get what he needs to grow and develop.
Vitamin A
Breastfed and formula-fed infants generally get adequate supplies of vitamin A from those sources, according to Keep Kids Healthy. However, as babies move toward relying less on liquids and more toward a diet consisting of solid foods, they may begin to lack vitamin A. This vitamin promotes a healthy immune system and keeps skin and eyes healthy. It also helps the cells in your child's body stay healthy and regenerate for growth. Vitamin A is available from milk, eggs, fortified cereal and orange and green fruits and vegetables like, mangoes, melon, sweet potatoes, carrots, apricots and peaches.
Vitamin C
Most parents equate vitamin C with treating a cold, but it is important for growing children under 2 years of age for several reasons. According to KidsHealth, this vitamin is essential for healthy cells, teeth, gums and wound healing as well as helping your child's body better absorb calcium and iron. Vitamin C can be found in multivitamins as well as in berries, kiwis, bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach and citrus juices. Babies who still breastfeed or drink formula likely get enough vitamin C, however Keep Kids Healthy reports that children who are exclusively fed cow's milk before age 1 are at risk of a deficiency.
Vitamin D
With the rise in doctors who are advising parents to use sunscreen whenever outdoors, some children are showing low levels of vitamin D. This can result in rickets and other health concerns, reports Keep Kids Healthy. Infant formula and cow's milk provide vitamin D, but children under age 2 who still breastfeed may need a supplement. Not many other foods provide this vitamin, but egg yolks and fish oils will contribute some to your child's diet if she isn't getting enough from the sunlight and her milk or formula. Most multivitamins for kids contain vitamin D, which is necessary for the health of your child's bones.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a nutrient that is important for healthy blood clotting in children who have not yet reached their second birthday, especially if they were not give a vitamin K shot at birth, reports Keep Kids Healthy. Children who are eating solid foods can get some of this vitamin from eating liver, broccoli, kale, spinach and asparagus, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If your child doesn't eat these foods, you can supplement with a multivitamin under his doctor's orders. Breastfed and formula-fed infants likely get enough and won't need this until they taper off.
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