Why Doctors Recommend Children’s Multivitamins

It’s a simple fact that all children need vitamins and minerals for healthy growth and development. This includes vitamin C, D, iron, calcium, and folic acid. Of course, not children can obtain sufficient levels of these nutrients through their diet. When this occurs, pediatricians will recommend children’s multivitamins to ensure that a child consistently gets enough nutrients.

So, what are the specific situations that would warrant a pediatrician to recommend children’s multivitamins? The following are some of the most common reasons:

Picky Eating – Children who have limited diets because of food preferences and aversions may need a well-balanced formula of children’s multivitamins that contain all essential and non-essential vitamins, as well as minerals.

Vegan or Vegetarian Diet – May need supplementation of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, calcium and zinc if they are not consuming enough fortified foods.

Milk Allergies – Children with allergies and intolerances to milk are often deficient in vitamin D and calcium.

Too Much Junk Food – Chips, cookies, sodas, and fast food are low in nutrients. Kids that eat diets primarily consisting of junk or fast food can benefit from a children’s multivitamin and mineral supplement

Certain Medical Conditions – Children diagnosed with certain conditions such as cystic fibrosis, autism, epilepsy, diabetes, short bowel syndrome, and malabsorption may need additional supplementation.

What to Look for in Children’s Vitamins
Not all multivitamins have the same number of vitamins and minerals as others. Because of this, it’s important to closely read labels. The best supplement will be the one that has only the specific vitamins and minerals your child needs.

Other nutrients such as fish oil and probiotics are also commonly found in children’s vitamins. Your doctor can tell you if these are beneficial for your child. With the right brand and formula, your child can get the additional nutrition required for good health. Start by talking to your family doctor or your child’s pediatrician and choose a formula based on his or her recommendation of what is best for your child.