Vitamin E is one of the many nutrients your toddler needs to grow and develop, but BabyCenter website states that many children do not get the vitamin E they need from diet alone. While giving your child vitamin E in the form of a supplement is safe, it can be harmful if you do not pay close attention to dosage information.
Benefits
Vitamin E is necessary for your toddler's development. It helps to limit the free radicals in her body that damage her cells, and it also keeps her blood from clotting, according to BabyCenter website. Her immune system health is also affected by her intake of vitamin E.
Recommended Amount
Your toddler needs 6 milligrams of vitamin E daily. Instead of giving him that exact amount every day, BabyCenter recommends just making sure that he aims for a daily average of 6 milligrams over the course of a week. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, healthy individuals rarely show signs of a vitamin E deficiency, so it might be hard to tell if he is not getting enough. If your toddler eats a restrictive diet, and you think he is lacking in vitamin E, talk to his doctor about the use of a supplement.
Safety
A vitamin E supplement, or a multivitamin containing vitamin E, is safe as long as you follow the recommended daily amount. Too much vitamin E can increase your toddler's risk of experiencing bleeding problems. Make sure she does not exceed 200 milligrams of vitamin E during the course of one day. Only give her a supplement or multivitamin recommended by her doctor and follow the dosing information carefully to be sure she doesn't get too much.
Recommendations
Keep in mind that food sources of vitamin E are safer and offer other benefits as well, so try to reach your toddler' vitamin E needs from food whenever possible. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, vegetable oils, like sunflower oil, are some of the best sources of vitamin E. Other sources include fruits, green vegetables, nuts, seeds and fortified foods like cereal, bread and juice.
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