Natural Vitamins for Toddlers to Prevent Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has become one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in toddlers and infants because of the increased usage of sunscreen and decreased amount of time in direct sunlight. Although this vitamin is produced by the body with just a few minutes a day of midday sun exposure, many children are not getting enough sunlight to produce sufficient vitamin D. Many pediatricians are now recommending vitamin D in natural vitamins for toddlers or supplemental drops to prevent the occurrence of rickets, a severe deficiency in this important vitamin.

Occurrence of rickets dropped significantly in the 20th century as milk and certain foods began being fortified with vitamin D. However, with dietary changes and a bigger focus on keeping children out of the sun to prevent the risk of skin cancer, a jump in cases of rickets has been seen in the last five years.

If children are not getting enough vitamin D, either from their food, from the sun, or from multi-vitamins for toddlers, there can be significant health ramifications. Vitamin D deficiency can show up in a variety of ways, including stunting overall growth and contributing to bones being weak, brittle, and misshapen. 

Oftentimes, a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency is made after a child begins to complain of bone or joint pain. Blood work combined with x-rays can show abnormal bone growth. Once a diagnosis is made, vitamin D replacement is typically prescribed along with orthopaedic treatment. 

Of course, the best solution is to prevent vitamin D deficiency from occurring by supplementing with natural vitamins for toddlers and children. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Institute of Medicine recommend a daily intake of 400 IUs per day of vitamin D during a child’s first year and 600 IUs for children over the age of one. Most multi-vitamins for toddlers have amounts of vitamin D that are consistent with these recommendations.

There are also foods that contain vitamin D, and these should be included in a balanced diet. Some of the foods with the highest amounts include salmon, tuna, soy milk, shrimp, orange juice, low-fat milk, mushrooms, and yogurt.

Symptoms to Watch for…

Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency is commonly misdiagnosed because there are a wide variety of symptoms. Besides painful bones and joints, the following can also be an indicator of a deficiency:

• An unusually high incidence of respiratory infections

• Muscle weakness

• Psoriasis

• Kidney disease

• Asthma

• Periodontal disease

• Depression

If you suspect that your child may have a vitamin D deficiency, it’s important to consult with their pediatrician. A prescription for over-the-counter vitamin D supplements, such as Animal Parade Vitamin D3 liquid drops, or multi-vitamins for toddlers or children will most likely be made as a preventative measure. Nearly all medical professionals agree that a proactive approach to preventing vitamin D deficiency is a good idea because it can enable your child to avoid a host of chronic diseases and conditions that can last a lifetime.