![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Blog_Temp6lates_2024.png?v=1717608724&width=1000\")
\n <\/div>\nSupplements are always a hot topic with our clients. We are constantly asked what supplements we recommend for kids.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s our short, main message:<\/p>\n
The only supplement most babies and kids all the way to age 18 likely need is vitamin D, per the\u00a0<\/strong>AAP.<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>However, in certain circumstances supplementation may be warranted, especially if your child\u2019s diet is very limited or if you offering a supplement helps you minimize the pressure you put on your child to eat.<\/em><\/p>\n Here are some additional considerations:<\/p>\n Vitamin D is traditionally known for promoting strong bone growth, as it helps the body utilize calcium, but newer research also suggests that optimal vitamin D status may help prevent chronic diseases like\u00a0asthma, cardiovascular disease and cancer.<\/a>\u00a0The best source of vitamin D is sunlight. However, since sunscreen use is important for skin cancer prevention, coupled with our indoor lifestyles, most people are vitamin D deficient.<\/p>\n Interestingly, vitamin D is the only supplement\u00a0routinely recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics<\/a>. Specifically:<\/p>\n What does this mean?<\/p>\n Essentially, every child should receive a vitamin D supplement throughout infancy and childhood,\u00a0<\/strong>unless they are getting at least 32 oz of formula as a baby or if they\u2019re breastfeeding and mom is taking 6400 IU vitamin D herself. Again, kids 12+ months need 600 IU per day, an amount that is very difficult to obtain through food. They would need to drink 48 ounces of fortified milk \u2013 far too much!<\/p>\n Can’t my child just eat vitamin D-rich foods?<\/strong><\/p>\n Yes, but many of these foods aren’t necessarily fan favorites when it comes to kids, or they would have to eat a\u00a0lot<\/em>\u00a0of them to meet their needs. Here are some great\u00a0food sources of vitamin D:<\/p>\n Vitamin D is the sun vitamin. Can’t my child just get it from the sun?<\/strong><\/p>\n We know that some parents are uncomfortable with supplementation and think that children should get all they need from their food. While we agree with this philosophy to a certain extent, vitamin D may be the exception. When children were tested for vitamin D status,\u00a0over 70% were considered insufficient.\u00a0<\/a>Vitamin D, especially when given in very simple supplements, is a safe and effective way to help build strong bones and prevent chronic disease. If you decide not to supplement your child, we recommend annual vitamin D testing to ensure they’re getting enough sun exposure.<\/p>\n When looking for a vitamin D supplement, watch ingredient lists. There are many very simple options available \u2013 no need for tons of ingredients or preservatives. If your child takes a multivitamin (see below) that contains 400-600 IU vitamin D or more, you do not need a separate vitamin D supplement.<\/p>\n Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D most often found in over-the-counter supplements. It\u2019s derived from animal sources, whereas vitamin D2 is derived from plant sources. While\u00a0vitamin D3 might be more absorbable than vitamin D2<\/a>, most physicians agree that\u00a0what matters most is taking vitamin D<\/a>\u00a0in supplemental form when needed instead of worrying about the form or type of vitamin D.<\/p>\n Here are some products we recommend:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Infants (under 12 months): Toddlers\/Kids (12+ months)<\/strong> D Drops Booster<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 600 IU per drop Iron is a mineral that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to every muscle in the body. Iron-deficiency in kids can be\u00a0mild to severe<\/a>. Severe deficiency can lead to issues with growth and brain development, so iron deficiency is something providers take seriously.<\/p>\n Babies receive iron in breast milk and iron-fortified formula, although their iron needs go up starting at age 7 months. Because of this, babies need\u00a0more<\/strong>\u00a0iron than what they can get from breast milk or formula in the second half of infancy. This is why we recommend\u00a0high-iron foods<\/a>\u00a0every day when you start complementary foods (6+ months) \u2013 because babies need that extra iron.<\/p>\n High-iron foods include:<\/strong>\u00a0beef, poultry, fish, whole grains, iron-fortified grains and cereals, leafy greens, nut and seed butters, beans and lentils.<\/p>\n How do I know if my child needs an iron supplement?<\/strong><\/p>\n Your provider will likely do a blood test to check your baby\u2019s iron level at your 12 month appointment.\u00a0Most babies and kids do not need supplemental iron if they\u2019re getting iron in food,\u00a0<\/strong>but if your baby was premature or has an increased risk of iron-deficiency, your provider might recommend an iron supplement. Oftentimes, providers recommend raising iron levels with food first.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re worried about your child\u2019s iron status, talk to your provider.<\/p>\n Some iron supplements can have a really unfavorable taste. We\u2019ve included products that seem to be well-liked by our clients.<\/p>\n Here are some products we recommend if supplemental iron is indicated:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Infants (under 12 months):<\/strong> Toddlers\/Kids (12+ months)<\/strong> Most parents assume their kids need a multivitamin to be healthy. However, research suggests that\u00a0multivitamins are best used when children exhibit a deficiency<\/a>, not as a catch-all for every kid. Yes, kids don\u2019t always eat a balanced diet, but unless they are deficient in certain nutrients they probably do not need a multivitamin.<\/p>\n However,\u2026sometimes adding a multivitamin to a toddler\u2019s or child\u2019s routine can help parents stress less (and thus lay off the pressure) at mealtime, especially if the child is especially picky. Some conditions also increase a child\u2019s need for a multivitamin. And since we do know kids probably need a vitamin D supplement, a multivitamin containing vitamin D is a one-two punch.<\/p>\n What about babies?<\/strong>\u00a0We generally\u00a0do not\u00a0<\/strong>recommend a routine multivitamin for full-term, healthy infants unless indicated by their provider. They simply need supplemental vitamin D if not getting enough of it in their milk (see above).<\/p>\n Here are some products we recommend if supplementation is indicated:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Infants (Under 12 months) \u2013 includes 400 IU vitamin D:<\/strong> Toddlers (1-3 years):<\/strong><\/span> Does not contain enough vitamin D \u2013 an additional 400 IU vitamin D drop or at least 2 cups fortified milk\/milk alternative are recommended with these products:<\/strong><\/em> Kids (4+ years) \u2013 Includes at least 600 IU vitamin D:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span> Probiotics are\u00a0such\u00a0<\/em>a hot topic right now, as more and more research is emerging to suggest the importance of a healthy gut flora. The recommendations below are simply a few general high-quality probiotics that we use and love.<\/p>\n Probiotics are the live bacteria and other organisms that live in our GI tract and various parts of our body. They are responsible for fighting off invaders as part of the immune system defense and may play a role in disease prevention, gut health, skin health, and neurological function.<\/p>\n In general, if your baby is breastfeeding or is using a formula that contains probiotics, additional probiotics are not\u00a0necessary.<\/em>\u00a0However, if you baby has taken antibiotics, is exposed to a lot of germs at daycare or while traveling, or has any skin or digestive upset it is generally considered safe to start a probiotic to see if it helps. If your child has any medical conditions or is immunocompromised, please talk to your doctor first.<\/p>\n What about probiotics for toddlers and older children? If your toddler or child doesn\u2019t have breast milk, yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kim chi other fermented foods a few times a week, a probiotic may be a good idea. This might especially be the case if your child struggles with constipation (or diarrhea), eczema or skin issues, uses antibiotics, or seems to get sick often. Again, check with your doc!<\/p>\n Below are some products we like \u2013 again, there are MANY probiotics out there, but these are the ones we\u2019ve used the most. We prefer probiotics with at least 3-5 billion CFU (colony forming units) per serving and at least 4 different bacterial strains, but not every probiotic will fit that bill. We love using\u00a0Florastor Kids<\/a>\u00a0during antibiotic use because it\u2019s made from\u00a0S. boulardii<\/em>, a yeast strain not killed by antibiotics.\u00a0S. boulardii can help prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea<\/a>.<\/p>\n Florastor Kids should be used during antibiotic regimens, as\u00a0S. boulardii can help prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhea<\/a>. It’s not meant to be used as a regular probiotic. The probiotic strain in Florastor is a yeast, not a bacteria, so it\u2019s not killed by the antibiotic.<\/p>\n Some probiotics need to be shipped and stored refrigerated. Carefully read product labels to ensure proper storage. In general, probiotics can be put in a bottle, stirred into food or put on a nursing mother\u2019s nipple. Some families also put probiotics on a clean finger directly into baby\u2019s mouth.<\/em><\/p>\n Here are some products we recommend if supplementation is indicated:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Infants (under 12 months):\u00a0<\/strong> Toddlers\/Kids (12+ months):<\/strong><\/span> EPA and DHA are essential fatty acids present in breast milk, formula, fatty fish and (in much less bioavailable quantities) flax seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds. DHA specifically is responsible for eye and brain development and serves as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in the body,\u00a0potentially helping in management of asthma, ADHD, and in prevention of heart disease later in life.<\/a>\u00a0If your baby or child is breastfeeding or is using formula containing DHA, or if your child is eating fatty fish like salmon or sardines a few times a week, supplementation is not necessary.<\/p>\n However, using an omega-3 supplement for toddlers and kids probably cannot hurt and can help ensure that your child consumes omega-3 fats, which are otherwise somewhat hard to get in high doses in the diet if your child doesn\u2019t eat fatty fish. Some eggs and milk are fortified with omega-3s, but it may be more cost effective to use a supplement. We love Nordic Naturals brand, as they are incredibly transparent in their processing of fish and algae oils and remove any contaminants or heavy metals utilizing molecular distillation.<\/p>\n While the guidance is mixed, on average we recommend approximately 100 mg per day of DHA via the form of food or supplements. Again, if your child is breastfeeding or drinking a DHA-fortified formula, or if they eat fatty fish or DHA-fortified foods regularly, they probably do not need a supplement. However, unless contraindicated by your physician it likely does not hurt, especially after your baby weans from breast milk or formula.<\/p>\n Here are some products we recommend if supplementation is indicated:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Infants (under 12 months)<\/strong> Toddlers\/Kids (12+ months):<\/strong><\/span> I hope this post helped you dissect the complicated world of supplements and find a product that works for you!<\/p>\n And in case you were wondering, I personally give my girls\u00a0<\/em>Thorne Vitamin D\/K2\u00a0<\/em><\/a>(1 drop),\u00a0<\/em>Klaire Children\u2019s Chewable<\/em><\/a>\u00a0probiotic (1 chewable) if they\u2019re not eating many probiotic foods, and\u00a0<\/em>Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Fishies<\/em><\/a>\u00a0(1 gummy) if they\u2019re not eating vey much fatty fish.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/4_035a1bd1-bf81-4147-b8db-8534023ef066.png?v=1717609876&width=1000\")
\n <\/div>\n\n
\n
<\/strong>Thorne Vitamin D\/K2<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 500 IU per drop (vitamin K2 can help with vitamin D absorption)
Carlson Labs Baby\u2019s Super Daily D3<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0400 IU per drop
UpSpring Baby Vitamin D3 Drops<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 400 IU per drop
Nordic Naturals Vitamin D Drops<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 400 IU per drop
Baby D Drops<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 400 IU per drop
Mommy\u2019s Bliss Vitamin D Drops<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 400 IU per drop
Zarbee\u2019s Natural\u2019s Vitamin D Supplement<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 400 IU per 0.25 mL<\/p>\n
(Note: you can also offer 2 drops of the 400 IU vitamin D drops listed above if you don\u2019t have a 600 IU drop. The established Upper Limit for vitamin D in kids is 2,500 IU, so having a double dose of the infant drop \u2013 800 IU \u2013 is considered safe.)<\/em><\/p>\n
Joy Spring Vitamin D Drops (with vitamin K2)<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 1000 IU per 5 drop serving (600 IU per 3 drops)
Renzo\u2019s Dynamite D3<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 1,000 IU per tab
Mary Ruth\u2019s Vitamin D Spray<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 800 IU per 4 spray serving (600 IU per 3 sprays)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/5_1e099bf6-8aea-4480-98da-2f3aebc788f3.png?v=1717609874&width=1000\")
\n <\/div>\n
Novaferrum Pediatric Drops Liquid Iron for Infants and Toddlers<\/a><\/p>\n
Novaferrum Pediatric Drops Liquid Iron for Infants and Toddlers<\/a>
Renzo\u2019s Iron Strong with Vitamin C<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 2+ years<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/3_c11dc82f-0f4b-4e10-9d12-a0eb6893bf08.png?v=1717609872&width=1000\")
\n <\/div>\n
(Reminder: most infants do\u00a0<\/em>not<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0need a multivitamin \u2013 these products are suggestions if a multivitamin is suggested by their provider):\u00a0<\/em>
Mommy\u2019s Bliss Baby Multivitamin + Iron<\/a>
NovaFerrum Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers<\/a>
NovaFerrum Vegan Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers<\/a>
SmartyPants Baby Multi + DHA<\/a>
Zarbee Baby Multivitamin<\/a><\/p>\n
<\/strong>Contains enough vitamin D (600 IU):<\/strong><\/em>
Zarbee\u2019s Toddler Multivitamin<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 recommended for ages 2-3, watch for choking safety with gummies and brush teeth after offering<\/p>\n
NovaFerrum Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers<\/a>
NovaFerrum Vegan Multivitamin with Iron for Infants and Toddlers<\/a>
SmartyPants Baby Multi + DHA<\/a>
SmartyPants Toddler Formula Gummies with Omega-3s<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0recommended for ages 2-3, watch for choking safety with gummies and brush teeth after offering
Renzo\u2019s Picky Eater Multivitamin with Iron<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 1\/2 tablet for kids ages 2-3<\/p>\n
Many of the kids multivitamins that contain the nutrient ratios we prefer come as gummies. We recommend brushing your child\u2019s teeth afterwards if offering gummies.<\/strong><\/em>
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Multivitamin for Kids\u00a0<\/a>
SmartyPants Kids Multivitamin\u00a0<\/a>\u2013 includes omega-3s
SmartyPants Kids Organic Multivitamin<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 includes omega-3s and probiotics
Renzo\u2019s Picky Eater Multivitamin with Iron<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 2 tablets for kids ages 4+<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/6_f0070ae8-7513-43d3-aa9f-5216592be7f3.png?v=1717609876&width=1000\")
\n <\/div>\n
What should I do if my child needs to be on antibiotics?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Klaire Ther-Biotic For Infants<\/a>
Garden of Life Baby Probiotics<\/a><\/p>\n
Klaire Ther-Biotic Children\u2019s Chewable\u00a0<\/a>\u2013 age 2+ due to the capsule size\/chewing requirement
Lovebug Probiotic and Prebiotic for Kids
<\/a>Mary Ruth\u2019s Organic Probiotic Drops<\/a>
Garden of Life Organic Kids Probiotics<\/a>
HyperBiotics Pro Kids<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Blog_Templates_212024.png?v=1717610128&width=1000\")
\n <\/div>\n
Again, infants do not need DHA if they\u2019re breastfeeding or receiving fortified formula. If you decide to offer extra DHA, we recommend waiting until at least 6 months.<\/strong><\/em>
Nordic Naturals Baby\u2019s DHA<\/a><\/p>\n
Nordic Naturals Children\u2019s DHA Strawberry<\/a>
Nordic Naturals Children\u2019s DHA Gummies<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Blog5_Templates_2024.png?v=1717610263&width=1000\")
\n <\/div>\n
![\"founders\"\/](\"https:\/\/feedinglittles.com\/cdn\/shop\/t\/12\/assets\/blog.png?v=95539749920079505731729172906\")
\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n