According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, most toddlers do not require a multivitamin supplement as part of their daily nutritional regimen -- including picky or light eaters. Instead, a focus on healthy diet which includes adequate amounts of each food group with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables is recommended. If your physician has recommended a multivitamin supplement for your toddler, familiarize yourself with the essential nutrients necessary to ensure your child's healthy development.
Vitamin D
A 2008 study by researchers at the Children's Hospital in Boston found that almost 40 percent of American toddlers and infants have or are at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is produced by the body during sunlight exposure, and is found in food sources such as milk, eggs and fatty fish. Toddlers who don't drink milk or who are not exposed to sunlight regularly are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. The recommended daily intake for vitamin D is 600 IU, or 15 mcg, as noted by the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Iron
Although its prevalence has diminished, iron deficiency anemia remains a health concern for toddlers, who have increased iron needs. According to an article published in "American Family Physician," iron deficiency anemia causes slow mental and physical development and occurs as a result of milk over-consumption. Toddlers should not drink more than 24 oz., or three cups of milk each day to ensure that they receive enough iron in food sources. If you choose a multivitamin that contains iron, it should not exceed the daily value of 10 mg, since high doses can be toxic.
Vitamin C
According to Ask Dr. Sears, most pediatricians recommend toddler mulitivitamins that contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is necessary for immunity, tissue repair and the absorption of iron. If your toddler refuses to eat fruits and vegetables, a supplement that contains vitamin C will be particularly beneficial. In addition to a multivitamin, include food sources of vitamin C like tomatoes, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries. As noted by Baby Center, toddlers ages one to three need an average of 15 mg of vitamin C each day.
Calcium
Toddlers experience significant bone growth and development in a short amount of time. Calcium, the body's most abundant mineral, plays a crucial role in bone formation. According to the Nemours Foundation, toddlers need 500 mg of calcium per day. This requirement should be met with food sources like milk, yogurt and cheese, but if your toddler doesn't tolerate dairy products, a multivitamin that contains some or all of the daily value will help fill in the gaps.
References
- Ask Dr. Sears: Vitamin Supplements
- BabyCenter.com: The Lowdown on Children's Vitamins
- Washington Post; Vitamin D Deficiency Puts 40% of U.S. Infants and Toddlers at Risk; Serena Gordon; 2008
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D
- American Family Physician: Prevention of Iron Deficiency in Infants and Toddlers; Louis A. Kazal; 2002
- Nemours Foundation; Nutrition Guide for Toddlers; Mary L. Gavin; 2008
