Pediatricians agree that multivitamins are not necessary for all children. Kids who receive a varied and well-balanced diet and are developing normally should be able to get all of the vitamins that they need from their food and exposure to sunshine.
However, many kids can benefit from a multivitamin. Here is what you need to know about when your child should begin taking a multivitamin.
While Breastfeeding
Breastmilk is the perfect food for your child, but breastmilk is not fortified with vitamin D. If your baby doesn’t get plenty of exposure to the sun, they may not be getting all of the vitamin D that they need from your breastmilk.
Your child needs vitamin D in order for their bones to develop normally, so it is absolutely essential that you make sure they get plenty of it. If you’re breastfeeding and concerned that your baby isn’t getting enough sun exposure, a Vitamin D supplement a good idea.
If Developmental Delays Become Apparent
If your pediatrician remarks that your child isn’t hitting developmental delays as quickly as may be desired, a multivitamin might be a good idea. A multivitamin will cover your bases to ensure that your child is getting all the nutrients that they need to develop normally.
Whether they’re failing to get vitamins from their diet, their body isn’t processing vitamins appropriately, or something else is going on, a multivitamin can help
When Your Child Becomes Picky
Most children experience at least a couple of picky phases as they grow up. Some children are incredibly picky throughout their entire childhood, stoutly refusing to eat many types of critical healthy foods.
For children who survive on pizza and chicken nuggets, a multivitamin can make the difference between normal healthy development and health problems as a result of an insufficient diet. Even if you expect the phase to pass, consider using a multivitamin whenever your child is having a picky day. That way, you can feel confident that your child isn’t missing out on important nutrients due to their dietary choices.
When Your Family Switches To A New Diet
If your family is considering a switch from the standard American diet to any other way of eating, a multivitamin is a good idea to help your child handle the switch. Many kids become pickier when their diet is restricted, only choosing a few of their new food options to enjoy and pining for the foods that they are no longer allowed to eat.
Whether your child needs to switch diets for health reasons, your family is making religious-based dietary changes, or for some other reasons your lifestyle is changing, it’s a good idea to incorporate a multivitamin, at least for some time.
At Around Six Months
Many families choose to supplement their child whether they have a nutritional deficiency or not. Children’s vitamins are safe when used at the proper dosage. Any extra vitamins that your child gets are flushed from the body, so you won’t need to worry about overdosing your child if they are eating a normal diet and only taking the recommended amount of the vitamins.
If you want to start a multivitamin regiment for your child, talk to your pediatrician about choosing the vitamin when your child is about six months old.
Pick A Great Multivitamin For Your Child
When your child is ready to start taking multivitamins, you want to make sure that the vitamins you give them are the best possible. Avoid vitamins packed with artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Only consider vitamins that offer the 15 essential vitamins and minerals recommended for children, and opt for an organic option if possible.
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