Vitamins for Toddlers

Updated on November 23, 2008
A.S. asks from New Albany, OH
14 answers

My son is 16 months old. When I went to his 15 month appt I asked his pediatrician whether he should be taking vitamins. He didn't give me a direct yes or no, but said that he should have at least 400 IU in in Vitamin D (especially since we won't be seeing any strong sun for a few months) and no more than 10 mg of iron. He only had one suggestion - Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol. But, he said it smells and tastes bad. I definitely do not want to get any vitamin that looks or tastes like candy. Any suggestions/advice?

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A.T.

answers from Bloomington on

two of my kids use poly vi sol. My 3 month old and my 4 year old. They dont complain about the taste. they think its medicine.

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S.W.

answers from Chicago on

When my daughter was younger I bought from Shaklee becasue my sister suggested it. They have powder vitamins which you can put into their juice. I think it is one teaspoon and it should have all the vitamins needed and they will never know. Hope this helps. I tried that Enfamil and it does smell terrible.

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with the Shaklee suggestion. I actually have a chart that shows the different vitamins in the Shaklee powdered vitamin as well as the poly vi sol.

That one DOES smell awful and it stains like you wouldn't believe.

Let me know if you'd like to see the chart. I can email you some info.
B.

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A.H.

answers from Springfield on

Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol is what I use for my son. He doesn't even flinch at the taste. His cousin will take it, too, though he's used to the chewable kind. I've tasted it and it isn't great, but it isn't horrible either. Hope this helps!

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S.B.

answers from Peoria on

i've never heard of/tried shaklee, but my 16mo old uses the poly-vi-sol. it does smell bad. i'm not sure how it tastes, but my son takes it from the dropper and doesn't complain. i usually give it to him at a meal so he has drink and food to "wash" it down if he needs to.

you could always try one and if you don't like it, try another.

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M.S.

answers from Rockford on

Good Morning A.,

I have to agree that I thought Shaklee vitamins were great, actually the best when I was a Shaklee rep. HOWEVER, I have switched companies and after years with this company I have to say that Melaleuca vitamins are the absolute best on the market and much cheaper than the rest. Melaleuca also has a proven patented absorbtion and Oligofructose Compounding mineral delivery system in all our vitamins for kids and adults.

Melaleuca for children is $9.49 and they are in the form of gummy bears so the kids like them

Shaklee for children is $12.19 and is a powder that you have to mix in drinks.

Amway/Nutrilite for children is $16.95

Melaleuca complete pack (keeps the digestive and immune systems in check, cholesterol levels right, bones and joints lubricated and strengthened, mind sharp, heart and eyes healthy) for adults is $99.99 and they come in special packs for men, women, pre-natal, and the over 50 crowd men or women.
Remember the McCaughey septuplets? Bobbi McCaughey absolutely used our Melaleuca "Vitality for Life" and they still do.
http://iglide.synacor.com/2004/NewLibraryFiles/McCaugheyS...

Not to mention these famous people: http://www.companycredentials.com/famous.htm

Shaklee pack (not complete as you have to add supplements to get what the Melaleuca complete gives you)for adults is $93.25.

Amway complete pack for adults is $146.90

Of course if you do not want the complete pack,
Melaleuca Multivitamin/Mineral pack is $19.99

Shaklee is $23.05

Amway is a little less expensive at $11.30 but again we have the have a proven scientific Oligofructose Compounding mineral delivery system.

All these prices are if you are a member and get the member discount.

So if you decide you want more information or want to get your family healthy and on the road to a great start, contact me and I will be more than happy to help.

http://LiveTotalWellness.com/YouCanToo

God Bless
M.

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R.C.

answers from Peoria on

My daughter is 12 months, and her doctor told me that a vitamin would be good. I give her the liquid Enfamil, but I mix it with her breakfast (she is still eating jarred food). But the doctor also suggested giving her 1/2 of a children's vitamin crushed up into food. Good luck

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter just turned 1 and Dr. suggested same thing. I give it to her, she takes it, gives me the "kinda-yucky" face and we follow it up with juice or milk. Great idea to mix it in the morning cereal - if they'll eat it all. For now it is easier for her to shoot it. :} Good luck.

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J.A.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.,
See my website, my whole family takes a liquid called Body Balance and asks for it when I forget. www.gopillfree.com. My sons (19 mo. and 5 years) both enjoy it and call it their "energy juice". All natural no worries of interactions with other supplements or medications and is up to 98% absorbed into your system at the cellular level. It has a black cherry and pure aloe vera juice base with 9 organic sea vegetables. You can get a free bottle, contact me or see my website and EVERYTHING is money-back guaranteed by Life Force. So if you don't like it sent back the empty (or full) bottle within 45 days and get your money back. 1000's of families take it daily since the 80's. They also offer OsteoPro Care and OsteoMegaCare for calcium, vit D, mag, glucosamine etc...
I highly recommend it with all my heart.
J.

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

I put the Poly-vi-sol in my oldest son's milk. He never noticed it. My second son did,so I added a tiny amount of chocolate syrup to the milk and he loved it. He couldn't even tell it was in there. Good luck!

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R.K.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with the Shaklee suggestion. I use the powder version for my son. He is 1 now, and I've been using it since he was 6 months old.
you can check it out on the Shaklee website.
www.shaklee.net/rkklemm

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M.N.

answers from Chicago on

Hi. We use this. My son thinks its medicine. Yes it tastes and smells bad but he needs a vitamin since he kicked a very good milk habit after we pulled the sippy away. We've slowly been working on getting him to drink a few sipps a day. I thought about the gummies but I didn't want him asking for these all day. He's in that mode where all he wants is candy! Hope this helps.

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J.W.

answers from Chicago on

yes, there is a better brand out there. My 16m old takes ChildLife and can be bought at www.vitacost.com for $10 vs. $18 at Whole Foods. Even with shipping it is cheaper. You can also get other vitamins on there too. It is a good clean brand, no additives and smells like oranges. It is a liquid based vitamin and give half in the am and half in the pm. Not all vitamins are created equal and I believe the Enfamil has some "fillers" in there.

To get the Vitamin D, give him cod liver oil or fish oil. I also give my 16m old daughter Nordic Naturals liquid fish oils and put that in her morning rice milk and the other half at night. Another good clean brand. I buy this at Whole Foods.

I am nutritionist specializing in women's health and wellnes (and dabble in children's health, getting much better at it) :)

J. W. MPH
Wellness Educator/Lifestyle and Wellness Consultant

PS: You should always try what your child is going to take/eat...if it tastes bad to you, then you child most likely will feel the same way! I am a member of consumerlab.com which is a private third party tester of all vitamins and supplements, so not all vitamins are created equal. I can look up a specific brand if you would like.

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D.P.

answers from Chicago on

Shaklee makes a great line of food supplements, including Vita-Lea Infant Mix. It's a powder that's mixed into juice, food or water -23 essential vitamins & minerals. It has a pleasant taste too. A toddler would take 1 tsp. daily...In the interest of full disclosure, I have been taking and marketing Shaklee products for 23 years. Obviously, I am really sold on them! If you want to see more on the web, so to shaklee.net/wellness_matters. It's my website.
D. P.

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