Natural Vitamins for Infants & Toddlers

Although most breast-fed and formula-fed infants and toddlers receive sufficient natural vitamins for healthy growth and development, the 2002 Feeding of Infants and Toddlers Study (also known as FITS and sponsored by Gerber) showed that french fries are the vegetable most often fed to toddlers older than 15 months. The study also reported that, of the toddlers aged 1 to 2 years, half ate no vegetables at lunch, and one third had no vegetables at dinner, leading many parents to wonder whether to give their child a multivitamin supplement.

Function

• Infants and toddlers need natural vitamins for the healthy formation of the brain, digestive system, bones, teeth, and immune system. Such nutrients as iron, zinc, copper, folic acid, and selenium are crucial to brain development. Vitamin D plays a significant role in developing strong bones and teeth. Vitamins A, C, and E contribute to a healthy immune system.

Misconceptions

• The most natural means for a child to get the necessary daily intake of these nutrients is to consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and milk, and by supplementing the diet with natural vitamins made from whole foods. Parents should be aware that the term "natural" on vitamin labels means only that the product does not contain artificial additives. Natural vitamins may still contain pesticides like their synthetic counterparts, which may also contain numerous dyes, fillers, additives, and animal byproducts.

Controversy

• Natural vitamin supplementation for infants and toddlers has long been debated by parents and the medical community. For example, vitamin D, one of the most important nutrients for physical development, is produced within the body after exposure to sunshine; however, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants younger than 6 months be kept out of direct sunlight. The FITS study reported that most infants and toddlers up to the age of 2 years do receive the needed amounts of natural vitamins from breast milk, formula, and complementary foods alone.

Types

• Natural vitamin supplements are available for infants in liquid drops and in a chewable form for toddlers. The soft chewable (gummy) types often resemble cartoon-shaped candy and are sweet tasting; however, they do not contain the same amount of vitamins as the hard types. Hard chewable vitamins generally contain minerals as well as multiple vitamins.

Warning

• Although many natural vitamins are water-soluble, those that are fat-soluble take longer for the body to metabolize and carry a risk of overdose. The symptoms of an infant and toddler overdose of fat-soluble natural vitamins can include headaches and vomiting. A vitamin A overdose can cause brain swelling, bone abnormalities, and liver damage. Excessive vitamin D intake can overstimulate calcium absorption, leading to heart and kidney damage.