Back to School with Kids Multi Vitamins

Back to school is almost here, and after the long summer months, it’s time to get kids ready for the year ahead. Besides school supplies and new clothes and shoes, it’s the right time to be thinking about their nutrition. Sure, it starts with healthy meals. But, with kids on the go, it’s not always easy to get them to eat all the daily nutrients they need. This is when kids multi vitamins can help!

Providing kids with healthy, well-balanced meals is the most important way to keep them properly nourished. This means plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean meat. Kids multi vitamins can be help supplement a well-rounded diet by ensuring that all nutritional recommendations are being met.

Vitamin D is one vitamin that is often lacking in children. Commonly referred to as the “sunshine” vitamin because it is produced from sun exposure, many kids do not have adequate levels of it when they are kept out of the sun or covered in sunscreen. Vitamin D is essential for building healthy bones. A deficiency can lead to rickets which is a softening of the bones, as well as negative effects on the heart and the immune system. The best vitamins for kids will have the daily requirement of vitamin D3.

Other important nutrients that can help kids throughout the school year include:

• Vitamin K2 – supports immune, blood, and bone health
• Lutein – eye and skin protection
• Probiotics – for intestinal health

Of course, the best vitamins for kids will have a complete range of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and organic whole foods.

Another important feature to consider when shopping for kids multi vitamins is their sweetener. Many of the grocery store brands sweeten multi vitamins with corn syrup or aspartame. These are not idea for anyone – particularly kids! Instead, it’s a good idea to choose a formula that is sweetened with xylitol that is natural and doesn’t promote tooth decay.

Finally, it’s important to incorporate the habit of taking vitamins into your kids’ daily routine. By having a set time when they take their vitamin, it will be easier to establish a healthy habit that can help them get the nutrition they need to have a successful school year.

Does Your Baby Need Infant Vitamins?

With the recent birth of the royal baby, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are probably like all first-time parents who have questions and concerns about their infant’s nutrition. One of the most frequent questions that new moms and dads ask pediatricians is whether or not their baby needs infant vitamins.

Babies who are breast or bottle fed typically get all the nutrients they need for the first several months from breast milk or infant formula. In some cases, health care professionals do recommend infant vitamins if there is a suspected deficiency.

However, by the sixth month, babies need additional nutrients to support normal growth and development. This is around the time that solid foods are introduced. While vitamin-rich foods definitely help, there is often the need for supplementation. The following are the most common supplements that are frequently needed to ensure a baby is receiving adequate nutrition.

Iron
Iron is an essential mineral that can be found in iron-fortified cereals, dark green vegetables, and meats. Many infant formulas contain iron, as well. Babies, who are breastfed, are more likely to have an iron deficiency, and the need for supplementation should be discussed with your baby’s health care provider. Infant vitamins that contain iron are beneficial in some cases.

Vitamin K
Vitamin K is particularly important for infants because they do not yet have the ability to produce it on their own. This is why newborns receive an injection of vitamin K to prevent the possibility of excessive bleeding. Most infant vitamins contain the daily recommended amount of this essential vitamin.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency has become more common in recent years as parents have become more aware of the dangers of sun exposure. Vitamin D is produced from exposure to sunlight. Keeping infants, toddlers, and young children out of the sun is great for their skin, but it can lead to a deficiency in vitamin D. Found in fortified milk, eggs, and fish, vitamin D is not widely found in common baby foods. Infant formulas are iron fortified which can be helpful for bottle-fed babies. However, breastfed babies often require supplementation in the form of infant vitamin D drops or multivitamin drops.

If you and your baby’s doctor have determined that infant vitamins would be a good idea, your best bet is choosing a natural supplement that is sugar-free and formulated specifically to support the nutritional needs of infants, babies, and toddlers.