If you already give your child a multivitamin, you may be surprised to learn this daily dose of nutrients isn’t always helpful.
“A daily multivitamin isn’t necessary for most healthy kids,” said Dr. Wes Fox, a Marshfield Clinic Health System family medicine physician. “Kids can get many of the nutrients they need from a balanced diet.”
Dietary restrictions and health conditions
Most kids don’t need daily vitamins, but there are some exceptions.
“For example, we’re finding many of us don’t get enough vitamin D,” Fox said. “While this can be added to your diet with foods like tuna, salmon, egg yolks and fortified cereals or milks, there are times it’s necessary to add a vitamin D supplement.” Your child’s provider can help you make that decision.
Additionally, children who have dietary restrictions or health conditions may not consume a well-rounded diet. If that’s the case for your child, their doctor may recommend a daily multivitamin or supplement.
Here are some more instances you should ask your child’s doctor about vitamins:
- Breastfed baby: “We recommend a vitamin D supplement for exclusively breastfed babies or for breastfeeding mothers,” Fox said. “Your child’s doctor can recommend the correct amount for your situation.”
- “Picky” or “selective” eaters: Kids who don’t drink milk or eat foods fortified with nutrients may benefit from taking a supplement.
- Vegan or vegetarian diet: Often, children who eat vegan or vegetarian diets are not getting enough iron and B12.
- Food allergies: Similarly, children with food allergies may not consume all the food groups needed to get their daily need of vitamins.
- Specific health condition: Some conditions, like inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis, make it difficult for the body to absorb vitamins.
Are multivitamins safe?
“Multivitamins usually don’t cause a problem,” Fox said. “With most vitamins, if you end up taking too much, your body can get rid of them without a lot of trouble.”
Taking more than the tolerable upper intake of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K can cause health problems, including nausea, vomiting and bleeding problems.
Keep vitamins out of children’s reach, and make it clear they aren’t candy.
Seek medical help if you suspect your child has taken a large amount of vitamins at once.
What should I look for in a multivitamin?
If your child needs a multivitamin, the one you choose should supply the nutrients he or she is lacking.
Vitamin D and iron deficiencies are the most common nutrient deficiencies seen in kids, so vitamins with adequate levels of those nutrients usually are good options.
Look for vitamins that have 100% of the recommended daily value for each ingredient.
Don’t choose vitamins that have extremely high doses of any nutrient, which increase the risk of toxicity, Fox said.
For vitamin recommendations, talk to a Marshfield Children’s provider.
Schedule appointment Message your provider
Related Shine365 articles
Fish oil benefits and limits for heart health
Melatonin: Good for getting kids to sleep?
Vitamin B6 and B12 linked to lung cancer
Your child’s growth chart: Can it signal health concerns?
Leave a Reply