Everyone of a certain age probably remembers Flintstones vitamins. They were chalky, tangy, and citrusy–but they had a catchy theme tune. When you were little, you probably had one every morning while watching cartoons. The question is: did those sweet vitamins really make you healthier? Are vitamins for toddlers medically beneficial–or just good marketing?

The answer is it depends. For most children (and especially for kids under the age of four), a normal diet will provide sufficient quantities of the most important vitamins and minerals a growing body needs. That means vitamin supplements (like those Flintstones vitamins) will largely be unnecessary. But there are some exceptions to that suggestion.

What Are Vitamin Supplements?

Your body requires certain amounts of vitamins and minerals in order to function properly. Things like vitamin C, vitamin B12, iron, and calcium–they all perform specific functions in a normal and healthy human body. This is especially true for kids, who need lots of resources to ensure they keep growing.

Typically, these vitamins are supplied through your diet: Fruits and vegetables, for example, are loaded with vitamins and minerals. The best way to get all your vitamins and minerals is by eating a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, grains, veggies, meats, and so on. But kids tend to be pretty picky eaters–how can you be sure they’re getting what they need to stay healthy?

The answer is that lots of foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals (and this is especially true for foods that are popular among kids). A great example is cereal: even that bowl of Fruit Loops has a fair amount of various vitamins and minerals. (Of course, a bowl of Cheerios will have more…) The point is that most modern foods have a good amount of vitamins and minerals in them. 

Vitamin supplements are, essentially, pills or tablets that are loaded with a vitamin or mineral–or a combination of multiple vitamins and minerals. Vitamins for toddlers, in particular, are appealing for parents because they seem like a good way to get your child lots of vitamins and minerals in one easy, chewable tablet. 

Is Milk a Good Source of Vitamins and Minerals?

In addition to being an excellent source of calcium, nearly all cow’s milk sold in stores is fortified with vitamin D. This can make milk an important source of vitamins and minerals that contribute to the development of strong bones in children. Your child can start drinking cow’s milk after they are 12 months old, though it’s important to stick to whole milk if possible (at least until your child is at least two years old).

This makes milk a particularly easy to access, solidly fortified source of important vitamins and minerals. If your family is looking for a milk alternative, soy-based products are also often fortified with vitamin D, making soy milk a good choice for your toddler.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Multivitamins

There’s a lot of healthy discussion about whether children really need multivitamins or not. In general, you should use multivitamins for kids under the following conditions:

• Children are over the age of four: Most pediatricians do not recommend multivitamins for children under the age of four–at least, not under normal circumstances. 

• Children have dietary restrictions: Some diseases will create severe dietary restrictions for children. For example, Crohn's disease is an autoimmune condition that can severely limit what children can eat. A very restricted diet can result in nutritional deficiencies that multivitamins can successfully address. Likewise, if a child is a vegan or vegetarian, multivitamins can help compensate for nutritional gaps that might otherwise occur.

• You notice growth or development problems: In some cases, your pediatrician may notice growth and development problems during your child’s usual check-up. Sometimes, these problems can be related to insufficient nutrition. In these cases, your pediatrician may recommend vitamins for toddlers to help get your child’s growth back on track.

But there can be drawbacks to multivitamins. If your child gets too much of certain vitamins and minerals, for example, your toddler can easily become sick. 

Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Multivitamin

When you’re choosing a multivitamin for your child, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

• Purchase from a reputable source: Multivitamins are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that medicine is. So make sure you’re purchasing multivitamins from a reputable brand.

• Look for vitamins that provide less than 100% of recommended amount: Because they’re on the small side, it’s very easy for children to get too much of certain vitamins or minerals. As a result, you should purchase multivitamins that provide less than 100% of the FDA recommended amounts.

• Ensure that you purchase supplements specifically designed for children: Giving your child vitamins that are designed for adults can lead to significant over-consumption of many vitamins and minerals.

• Make sure your child knows that multivitamins are not candy: Multivitamins are designed to taste sweet. It’s a great incentive for your toddler–and a useful way to make sure your toddler actually eats the vitamin. But it’s important that your toddler knows these vitamins aren’t candy–sitting down and eating a whole bottle could make your child feel unwell.

Bottom Line: Ask Your Pediatrician about Vitamins for Toddlers

In most cases, your child will not require a multivitamin or vitamin supplement. If your child is eating a typical diet (or better), then nutrition probably won’t be a problem. (Of course, it’s always a good idea to encourage your toddler to eat more fruits and vegetables.)

If you have concerns about your child’s vitamin and mineral intake, your best course of action is to touch base with your pediatrician. Every child is unique–and so every toddler’s diet will be unique, too. Your pediatrician will be able to look at your kid’s unique diet and make a determination about whether vitamin supplements are warranted.

Contact us today to make an appointment with a Children’s Healthcare Associates pediatrician!