Most foods these days are fortified so toddlers can easily get vitamins and minerals. However, sufficient nourishment varies from child to child. In most cases, vitamins are needed especially if a toddler is a picky eater, if he is allergic to certain foods or if the child has a medical condition. Health experts agree that kids and vitamins produce healthy results and gives added protection as long as:

• You only give your toddler a daily dose of supplement (no overdosing or mixing vitamins without a doctor’s prescription).
• They do not substitute healthy foods. Vitamins must be taken alongside a proper diet (administering good healthy eating habits is a must).
• Vitamins are taken for the sole purpose of meeting the daily RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of toddlers.

The right dosage of vitamins depends on a toddler’s needs and state of health. Here is a guideline:

Vitamin A

Toddlers from ages 1 to 3 need at least 300 mcg (microgram) of vitamin A each day. Add 100 mcg (400 mcg) for children age 4 to 8 and 9 to 13 year old kids need at least 600 mcg (maximum dosage in a day). Too much intake of vitamin A can threaten a toddler’s health and may cause hazy eyesight, headache, nausea and vomiting. If a toddler still has insufficient vitamin A, doctors recommend loading up on beta-carotene foods like whole-wheat cereals, carrots, potatoes, spinach, egg and milk.

Vitamin B

Different dosage is given for every member of the vitamin B family.

• Thiamine or vitamin B1 (for proper blood circulation and carbohydrate digestion and prevention of beriberi) – 0.3 mg for 6 to 12 month old toddlers, 0.5 for 1 to 8 year olds, 0.9 for 9 to 13 year olds
• Riboflavin, B2 (proper conversion of carbohydrate, protein and fats into energy) – 0.5 mg for 1 to 3 year olds, 0.6 for ages 4 to 8 and 1 mg for 9 to 13 year olds
• Niacin, B3 or B complex (use of fats and proteins, for healthy eyes, hair and skin and proper function of the nervous system) – 6 mg for 1 to 3 year olds, and 8 mg for 4 to 8 year old toddlers
• B5 (for prevention of chronic diseases) - 2 mg for toddlers ages 1 to 3 and 3 mg for children ages 4 to 8
• B6 (building hormones, normal brain development) – 0.5 mg for 1 to 3 year old toddlers and 0.6 for 4 to 8 year olds
• B12 (blood development, normal function of brain and nervous system) – 0.9 for children ages 1 to 3 and 1.2 mg for 4 to 8 year olds

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is integral to your toddler’s development to keep him healthy and strong. It also absorbs iron which restores a young one’s energy and reduces the chance of having anemia. Since vitamin C is water soluble, toddlers are recommended to consume it on an every day basis. 1 to 3 year old toddlers require 15 mg, 4 to 8 year old kids need 25 mg and 9 to 13 year old children need 45 mg. Together with it, foods containing high amounts of vitamin C such as orange, grapefruit, pineapple, broccoli, tomatoes and real fruit juice needs to be eaten regularly.

Vitamin D

Toddlers between the age of 1 and 4 need about 150 mg of vitamin D per day while those between 5 to 10 years old require 200 mg. Foods like cheese, egg, fish, beef and milk should be present in a toddler’s diet to help strengthen vitamin D in a toddler’s body. This provides calcium that is very essential in building strong bones, lowers the risk of getting health complications like diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Iron

Toddlers from ages 2 to 8 require 10 mg each day due to the increase of blood synthesis. For children 9 to 14 years old, they only need 8 mg per day. Since most foods are iron-fortified, it is suggested that children lessen the intake of this tablet and focus on eating cereals, rice, artichokes, green leafy vegetables, red meat, seafood and dried fruits (e.g. berries, raisins, prunes, etc.) instead.

For toddlers who are picky eaters or those who have bad eating habits, it is best to give just one multivitamin each day so they can get complete nourishment in a single tablet and parents do not have to worry about overdosing on a particular vitamin.

A toddler’s development is most crucial during the first 3 years of life. Aside from being particular with food, rigorous play can also hinder growth. Thus, vitamins for children should be included in a toddler’s daily diet. When taken in proper doses, these vitamins will keep the child healthy so he can thrive in all aspects.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is one vitamin parents should give to children to retain growth and fitness. Retinol can often be lacking in the diet of toddlers especially when they are picky eaters. Taking adequate doses of vitamin A each day can:

• Improve Eyesight – the beta carotene serves as a strong antioxidant that helps prevent eye damage that can lead to blindness, prevents conjunctival xerosis (dryness of eyes) from happening and helps adjust the eyes’ night vision
• Promote Healthy Skin – produces fat-soluble vitamins that repairs and grows the front-line and outer parts of the skin
• Boost Immunity – develops lymphocytes that fights off bacteria and diseases from entering the immune system, prevents common ailments of children (viral infections, urinary tract infection, respiratory infection and measles)
• Enhance Cell Development - the antioxidants counteract free radicals from harming cells and tissues

Vitamin B

The B family is very important to toddlers since it helps – overcome fatigue, produce red blood cells, protect the body from cancer, keep the nervous system stable, promote healthy body functioning and proper metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins providing energy and stamina for children’s daily activities. Since it is water soluble, the body can easily absorb all the nutrients.

Vitamin C

Health experts have proven that vitamin C or ascorbic acid supplies a wide variety of health benefits. This supplement serves as the perfect substitute of fruits and vegetables in a toddler’s diet. Most tablets are chewable and taste like orange so toddlers enjoy eating them. It helps maintain a strong immune system, increases collagen production promoting healthy bones, cartilage, teeth, tissues and glowing skin and fights off stress. It is also useful in absorbing iron and calcium, stopping common health issues like anemia and colds and in treating asthma.

Vitamin D

Known as the sunshine vitamin (produced when the skin is exposed to UV-B rays of the sun), this vitamin is fat soluble and is considered the most natural. It gets stored in a toddler’s body fat during summer season where temperature is too hot and the excess is used during winter season. It is essential for bone formation, since it effectively absorbs calcium from the bone, the small intestines down to the blood stream. Vitamin D stabilizes blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease and it helps fight seasonal infections which toddlers are susceptible to.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant. It serves as a toddler’s shield in averting free radicals; from chemicals, toxins, cigarette smoke and other pollutants which toddlers are exposed to every day. Apart from that, it is also very beneficial in the consumption of body fats, cell and DNA repair and other metabolic processes.

Magnesium

Low magnesium consumption is the main cause of ADHD and other hyperactive behaviour. This nutrient is essential for cell repair, heart and muscle relaxation and protein production which helps improve body function, preventing chronic diseases and reducing insulin resistance.

Zinc

Zinc is imperative to children’s physical development, for faster wound healing and in increasing their appetite. It is also necessary for fast metabolism, insulin storage and carbon dioxide transportation (for even breathing).

A healthy body does not only thrive from fruits and vegetables, but it also needs vitamins to strengthen and defend the body. With toddlers, ample intake of kids vitamins do not only encourage proper body function but a healthy development as well.

What Toddlers Get From Vitamins

Kids Vitamins Can…

Improve Appetite

Toddlers go through various stages of development that make their appetites ravenous. But, once this growth spurt is over, children tend to eat less. This phase is perfectly normal. So to make sure they still get the correct nourishment, supplying them with multivitamins in their daily regimen ensures they get the right nutrients into their body. Vitamins enhance their appetites, so the more healthy foods they take in, the stronger their immune system gets.

Boost Brain Function

Taking the right vitamins improves a toddler’s capability to grow cognitively, think clearly and process information. Folic acid, one of the most imperative vitamins help produce red blood cells which are integral in promoting normal brain function. It advances not only the brain but the nervous system as well enabling a toddler to comprehend, reason out and solve problems at a speedier level.

Provide Protection

The toddler age is one crucial point of human development, for it is during this time where resilience and skills are acquired which pre-determines how equipped they will be in the future. Vitamin C helps prevent and treat stroke, cataract and common colds. It is a powerful antioxidant. It detoxifies harmful cells in the body replacing them with fresh, healthy cells that helps strengthen the immune system, raise energy level and generate active brain cells. While the Vitamin B family improve cardiovascular and nervous system functions, essential for fighting off heat ailments and beriberi (a thiamine deficiency that leads to vomiting, irritability and loss of muscle function, sensation, speech and intellect).

Build Strong Bones

Ample intake of vitamin D builds strong bones. Vitamin D is important in supplementing a toddler’s body in absorbing calcium. Healthy bones help support the normal growth and development of bones that reduces instances of bone injuries in toddlers. Plus, having a strong bone assists toddlers in developing their dexterity skills and hand-eye movement coordination. The D nutrient is also essential in warding off high blood pressure, cancer and other bone disorders from developing.

Promote Oral Health

Moreover, vitamins play a huge role in the condition of a toddler’s mouth. Vitamins help promote strong teeth and gums. For instance, vitamin A fuels hormones necessary for healthy tooth enamel to grow. Vitamin C is responsible in keeping body tissues (including a child’s gums) in good condition. Vitamin D is also important in building strong teeth in kids.

Supply Energy

Without energy, toddlers may become frail and weary. Vitamins are energy givers. With toddler’s excessive vigor for play, kids’ vitamins feed toddlers the energy they need throughout the day. An example of a vitamin that supplies energy is vitamin B1 or thiamine. B1 helps the cells change carbohydrates into energy which is fundamental in the proper function of the cardiovascular, muscular and nervous system.

Assist Ill Toddlers For Faster Recovery

Toddlers need vitamin supplements during a healing period from prolonged sickness. Chronic conditions can cause serious vitamin deficiency, hence, toddlers who take in medications that limits their immune system can greatly profit from vitamin therapy.