Do infants and toddlers need multivitamins? Is it safe for toddlers to take multivitamins? Well, multivitamins contain vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the hormonal growth of toddlers and infants. Multivitamins have now become very popular as they have umpteen number of benefits. Multivitamins help in producing enzymes and enhance immunity. They are essential for the reproduction and growth of the body. Infants and toddlers suffer from many problems, and these problems can be solved by giving them a proper amount of multivitamins.
Moreover, multivitamins bridge the nutritional gap in the body of infants and toddlers. Here are given some tips to keep in mind while choosing multivitamins for infants and toddlers:
- Choose that kind of vitamin which is specially meant for infants and toddlers.
- Always opt for liquid vitamin supplements for infants and toddlers, as they are easy to consume.
- Don’t give an overdose of multivitamin supplements. Give your infant the recommended dose.
- Make sure to place the multivitamin supplements out of your toddler’s reach, as they are very much enhanced in taste now.
The requirement of multivitamins to infants and toddlers depends on age, sex, body weight, growth, and activity level. According to Pediatricians, some essential nutrients that infants and toddlers need are:
Calcium: Calcium is indispensable for the development of bones and teeth. Calcium helps in various bodily functions, including
- Calcium helps in sending and receiving signals to the nervous system.
- Calcium also helps in the relaxation and contraction of the Muscle.
- It also regulates the hormone release and maintains a normal heartbeat.
The calcium needs of infants and toddlers are 260 micrograms.
Fiber: Fiber is not a vitamin or mineral, but it is very important for infants and toddlers. Fiber helps in maintaining a hearty digestive system. The amount of fiber required for toddlers and infants are around 18 grams daily.
B vitamins and B12: Vitamin B is crucial for metabolism and energy. It also helps in maintaining a healthy heart as well as the nervous system. One of the most pivotal vitamin B is B12. The amount of vitamin B that toddlers and infants need is 0.9 micrograms daily.
D vitamins: Vitamin E and calcium works collectively to build strong bones. It also helps in protecting the body against chronic diseases later in life. According to Pediatricians, toddlers and infants should get 400 IU of D vitamins daily. The requirement of vitamin D supplement drops in breastfed babies is necessary until they are ab-lactated and are getting approximately 32 ounces of vitamin D.
E vitamins: Vitamin E helps in strengthening the immune system of the body. It also helps in maintaining the blood vessels clean and well flowing. The need for vitamin D daily for the toddlers is 9 IU.
Iron: Iron isan essential nutrient that the body utilizes for the production of hemoglobin, the protein available in red blood cells that helps your blood carry O2 (oxygen) to all the other cells in the body. Iron is important for:
- Supplying the body with enough oxygen
- Helps in muscle metabolism
- Maintains connective tissues
- Physical development
- Nerves growth
- Functioning of cells
If your kid has a deficiency of iron levels, you may notice that they
- Become pale
- Always irritable
- Do not want to eat anything.
Longer-term iron deficiency leads to
- Tedious growth
- Slower down motor skill development
- Increase in the number of infections.
In Final Words
Giving your children multivitamin supplements is necessary for the growth of their bodies. However, giving those fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, lean protein, and dairy products, will help them in getting an adequate amount of each important nutrient. For the proper development of toddlers and infants, multivitamins and food items are pivotal for providing them the physical and mental health that they need.