Vitamin supplements aren’t just for adults – vitamins for children are just as important, if not more so.
Children are often fussy eaters, so it can be challenging making sure they’re getting all the vitamins they need to grow and to stay healthy. It can be a constant battle for parents to get little ones to eat enough fruit and veg, but vitamin supplements are an ideal solution, and a great way to boost their intake.
Whether your little one struggles with malabsorption, follows a vegan or restricted diet, or is simply a picky eater, children’s vitamin supplements ensure your kids are getting exactly the right amounts of the different nutrients, putting your mind at ease.
If you’re unsure whether you should give your child vitamins, speak to their GP to understand what vitamins and supplements your child will benefit from most and make sure to choose children’s vitamins that have been formulated specifically to meet their needs.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about the best vitamins for kids.
Do Kids Have Different Nutrient Needs to Adults?
Yes, but only in quantity. Children need the same variety of nutrients as adults but in smaller quantities to help support their growth, development and overall health.
This is why it’s important to support children’s nutritional needs with vitamins that have been specially made for children as they require smaller amounts of nutrients per day compared to an adult.
What Are the Best Vitamins for Kids?
Every vitamin has different health benefits, so bear this in mind when selecting vitamins for your child. The best vitamins for children are vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C and vitamin D. Your little one may also benefit from a specific multivitamin for kids.
Click through to learn about the best vitamins for children:
What Vitamins Should My Child Take Daily?
Vitamin D is essential for children to take daily as it supports the growth and maintenance of strong bones, along with calcium.
Vitamins A, B12 and D are also important vitamins for kids as they help to support brain health.
Top 5 Best Vitamins for Children
1. Vitamin A for Children
Vitamin A plays an essential role in keeping kids’ immune systems healthy, and it can also help to support healthy skin and sight.
It’s recommended that every child aged between six months and five years take vitamin A supplements daily, unless they’re drinking a pint of infant formula each day. This is because the formula is fortified with essential vitamins – you need to strike a balance and make sure kids don’t overload on any vitamins too.
You can also encourage children to eat more foods that are naturally rich in vitamin A, such as carrots, sweet potato, mango, spinach, broccoli and dairy.
To be sure that your little one is getting enough vitamin A, you can introduce an appropriate vitamin for kids that contains the correct dosage.
2. Vitamin B12 for Children
If you’re raising your kids to choose plant-based where possible, it can be a harder for them to get enough vitamin B12 as it is primarily found in foods such as meat, poultry and fish. Vitamin B12 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and to normal energy-yielding metabolism.
Children need different amounts of vitamin B12 depending on their age. Babies only need 0.5 micrograms of vitamin B12 per day, but this rises to 0.9 micrograms for toddlers, 1.2 micrograms for children aged four to eight, and 1.8 micrograms for nine to 13-year-olds.
