So many parents today give their children vitamin supplements that it is hard to know which, if any, vitamins or supplements are actually needed.

It sounds like a good idea to buy lots of vitamins to help be the first defense against nasty colds and viruses, but parents could be doing more harm than good if they are not selecting the right vitamin or supplement that their child actually needs.

Vitamins are essential in a child’s nutrition and health. Most vitamins are obtained through a child’s diet, but sometimes pediatricians may recommend a daily supplement or multivitamin if the child is not getting adequate amounts of their daily vitamins.

“Nutritional deficiencies are not common in the United States, but in certain circumstances, supplementing regular table food or breastmilk/ formula is important for optimal health,” Dr. Margaret Crittell, pediatrician at Pierremont Pediatriacs, said. “Infants that are breastfed or take less than 30 ounces of formula a day will need a supplement of vitamin D to ensure that they are getting the recommended 400 IU a day.

Also, breastfed infants begin to need more iron than is available from their mother’s milk usually between 4 and 5 months of age, and this is when it is important to talk about getting extra iron into their diets. Premature babies are especially at high risk for iron deficiency so they will need extra monitoring to ensure they don’t miss this nutrient.”

It is important to discuss vitamins with a pediatrician before beginning any supplements. Pediatricians can recommend over the counter or prescription vitamins.

“As kids get older, they usually still need to monitor their vitamin D intake,” Crittell said. “After 1 year, the RDA increases to 600 IU, and for many kids, it is hard to get this just by diet. Also, iron deficiency is still the leading nutritional deficiency so it is important to look for a multivitamin that contains both these nutrients in the RDA amount. Vitamin D is fat soluble so it will get stored, and iron can cause problems if you take too much, so it is imperative that parents keep vitamins stored like any other medicine.

“In adolescent females, it is very important to keep up with the iron and vitamin D, but they need to make sure they are also getting the calcium they need to prevent osteoporosis later in life.

Also, we recommend folic acid (or folate) to all women of child-bearing age.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that, as much as possible, parents should give their children the vitamins they need through their daily meals.

“There are many circumstances that can benefit from certain supplements, but some can be dangerous or just a waste of money. Vitamins and supplements are not FDA regulated, so I usually recommend the well-known brands like Flinstone’s or Centrum. There are a lot of formulations so you do have to read the labels to see exactly what you are getting,” Crittell said.

Talk with a pediatrician before giving vitamin supplements to your child.

–Brittney Trahan

Top Vitamins:

Vitamin A — it promotes normal growth, healthy skin, tissue repair and aids in night and color vision. rich sources include yellow vegetables, dairy products and liver. 

B vitamins — they promote red blood cell formation and help a variety of metabolic activities. they are found in meat, poultry, fish, soybeans, milk, eggs, whole grains and enriched breads and cereals. 

Vitamin C — it strengthens connective tissue, muscles and skin. it also helps wounds and bones heal and increases resistance to infection. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, brussels sprouts, spinach and broccoli. 

Vitamin D — it promotes tooth and bone formation and regulates the absorption of minerals like calcium. sources include fortified dairy products, fish oils, fortified margarine and egg yolks. 

Iron — it is essential for the production of blood and the building of muscles. low iron levels can lead children to be irritable, listless, depressed, and have a higher susceptibility to infections. the best sources of iron include beef, turkey, pork and liver. 

Calcium — an inadequate calcium intake during childhood can not only affect present growth but might also help contribute to the development of weakened and porous bones, osteoporosis, later in life. low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt and sardines are excellent sources of calcium.