Children need to consume adequate amounts of a variety of vitamins and minerals to support healthy growth and development. Providing your child with a variety of foods that come from all the food groups is the best way to be sure he is getting enough of each. Talk with your child's pediatrician if you feel that he may not be eating enough or is too picky. She may prescribe a supplement for extra insurance.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A keeps your child's immune system healthy, protects her eyes and aids in the growth of cells. Children ages 0 to 6 months need 400 micrograms, those 7 to 12 months need 500 micrograms, children between 1 and 3 years of age require 300 micrograms, recommendations for children ages 4 to 8 are 400 micrograms. Beyond age 8 the requirements vary by gender; males need 600 to 900 micrograms each day and females need 600 to 700 micrograms. Vitamin A is found in milk, eggs, orange and green vegetables and orange fruits.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is found in fortified milk, egg yolks and fish oil and is also absorbed by exposure to sunlight. This vitamin is essential to growing children because it helps their bodies absorb calcium more efficiently, contributing to healthy bones. Children ages 0 to 18 need 5 micrograms per day.
Calcium
Calcium plays a role in healthy bones and teeth among children of all ages. It is found in dairy foods, such as milk, yogurt and cheese. It is also present in dark, leafy green vegetables. Infants aged 0 to 6 months should get 210 mg per day and those aged 7 to 12 months need 270 mg. Children ages 1 to 3 need 500 mg and children who are between 4 and 8 years of age need 800 mg. Children ages 9 to 18 require 1,300 mg of calcium each day.
Iron
Iron prevents anemia and carries oxygen throughout the blood in your child's body. Until a child turns 6 months old, he only needs .27 mg of iron each day. Babies who are 7 to 12 months need 11 mg, children ages 1 to 3 need 7 mg, ages 4 to 8 require 10 mg and children ages 9 to 13 need 8 mg per day. Male children ages 14 to 18 need 11 mg and females in this age range should get 15 mg of iron each day. Iron is found in red meat, fish, chicken, beans and fortified cereal.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a nutrient that promotes healthy bones, teeth, gums and blood vessels and is found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, berries, kiwis, tomatoes, spinach and broccoli. Babies between 0 and 6 months of age should get 40 mg per day and those who are 7 to 12 months need 50 mg. Children who are between 1 and 4 years old need 15 mg and those between 4 and 8 need 25 mg. Children ages 9 to 13 need 45 mg. Male children between the ages of 14 and 18 should be getting 75 mg of vitamin C each day while females aged 14 to 18 need 65 mg.
Member Comments