Vitamin for Baby with Allergies

Updated on February 12, 2010
L.R. asks from Gresham, OR
15 answers

I need a recommendation on vitamins. My son is allergic to a ton of things, and we're in the process of weaning. But so far all the vitamins I have found have orange, pear, wheat germ, or SOMETHING he can't have in them... Rather than googling infant vitamins and spending hours trying to figure out which has what, I thought I would ask here. The doctor sent me somewhere that didn't help, and he doesn't sell them, so I just need to find a multivitamin for my son (12 mo) so that when he's weaned (we also discussed this with the doctor), he will be getting enough nutrients on the limited diet he can handle. So... suggestions, brand names, what worked for you. Must be liquid or powder. And thanks!

Edited to add:
While I appreciate the effort of those who are trying to help with the allergies and suggestions of naturopaths, etc, that's not what I need right now. My son's first pediatrician WAS a naturopath (also my midwife, so she dealt with him from day 1). We switched to a regular MD pediatrician when we ran out of insurance to cover alternative care. The only difference is that where the naturopath didn't want me to use hydrocortisone at all if I could help it (only on the worst spots, very sparingly), the MD said it's okay to use it as needed, and he ordered an IgG blood test. The blood test confirmed both his and the ND's suspicions: his gut must be inflamed. They both "prescribed" basically the same treatments: probiotics, fish oil, Vitamin D, etc. But since I use hydrocortisone to control the eczema (besides the usual moisturizing routine), he is a much happier baby and I'm not about to go insane. It's just that I need to wean, and his diet is so limited that I know he is going to be lacking nutrients when he quits breastfeeding (he's down to twice a day so I could see him completely weaned in less than a month), so I really need to get some kind of vitamin. One mom gave a suggestion that looks like it might work. But if anyone has another suggestion, that could be helpful; choices are always nice.

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M.T.

answers from Portland on

I don't know if this would work, but have you tried maybe a health food store? They may could give some suggestions.

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

If your son has a ton of allergies, you might as well get used to spending hours googling and reading, trying to find stuff he can eat. As an alternative, I prefer spending an hour or two in my local Whole Foods market reading labels. Since they cater to people with special food needs, the labels often say "milk-free, gluten-free" in big letters on the front label. It may be hard to avoid fruit flavorings in an infant vitamin. Instead of a multi, could you just supplement the vitamins he will be lacking because of his food allergies? You could find an unflavored adult version to divide with a pill cutter, then crush it and mix into his food.

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Y.B.

answers from Seattle on

Have you thought about taking your son to a naturopath? I am sure they would have lots of information on vitamins that would be ok for your son.

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K.G.

answers from Seattle on

This is what we give to our daughter. We don't deal with allergies so I don't know if it is a good one for that or not. We just put a dropper full in her morning sippy cup.

Enfamil Poly-Vi-Sol Supplement Drops, Multivitamin for Infants & Toddlers

Here are the ingredients:
Glycerin, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Vitamin E Succinate, Niacinamide, Ferrous Sulfate (as a stabilizer for Vitamin B12), Natural & Artificial Flavor, Caramel Color, Vitamin A Palmitate, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Riboflavin 5 Phosphate Sodium, Vitamin B6 Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Spokane on

With my first baby I was so worried about him getting enough vitamins, that I gave him liquid vitamins. With my second baby, I guess I was too busy or something, and she never got a vitamin. Both are equally healthy and strong (they are now 10 and 7)....I have come to the conclusion that as long as you are feeding your child a balanced diet, no junk food, or sugar, mostly healthy stuff - you'll be fine. If I could go back in time, I would actually not give my first child vitamins, because of all the reports now that maybe vitamins are not so good...at least in every day doses. Unless your child has a definite deficiency, you might think of not giving a vitamin at all.
just my two cents....good luck!
Stephanie

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M.W.

answers from Seattle on

I second the naturopath recommendation.

One thing I know our neighbors (who have a multi-allergy boy) have learned is that some allergies remedy themselves after time. Their little guy couldn't have any animal proteins when he was little so his mom basically had to go vegan in order to nurse him. He eventually phased out of it (protein issues) and has no allergy issues now beyond some mild skin irritations if he eats certain foods (usually different fruits). Has your pediatrician discussed that with you as a possibility?

A naturopath can work with food allergies and supplements much more thoroughly than a pediatrican who only schedules 10 minute increments for appointments. My naturopath sells supplements in her office, will recommend them to purchase on your own, and also will write prescriptions if necessary.

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V.G.

answers from Portland on

Yikes, I'm sorry to hear he's having so much trouble! You mentioned that you have to wean. Are you sure? The majority of the medical field suggest breastfeeding- at least once or twice a day until your child is 5. While five years old is not an option for most people, perhaps continuing breastfeeding for awhile longer will really help him get those vitamins and fat that his little growing body and brain so desperately need.
Good luck!

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A.T.

answers from Portland on

I think Floridix might work...they sell it at New Seasons. But weaning at 12 months may not be a good idea if he has so many allergies. My son has tons too & he is 2 & 1/2 & still nursing . Our pediatrician told us that to help him overcome his allergies, it was better to let him nurse as long as he wanted to & that may of his allergies may go away. ANd most did. Good luck.

K.T.

answers from Eugene on

Have you tried Koala Pals™ Multivitamin?

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E.L.

answers from Seattle on

If you're interested in adding green smoothies to your family's diet, check out http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com

She has a 12 steps to whole foods (that I haven't tried yet). I do smoothies for my family and now they get a lot more nutrition from regular raw greens and other veggies. I bought a few of her recipe packets and have been very happy with the results.

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M.M.

answers from Seattle on

My daughter is allergic to peanuts, and doesn't tolerate dairy, soy, and fructose. I found out about her allergy two years ago (she is 3 and 1/2 y.o. now). For the last two years I have read/searched high and low about nutrition and food issues in children, and I realized that for children who have issues with food problems (intolerance and/or allergies) it is best to follow the advice given to children with autism. They have many gastrointestinal issues and allergies. The products targeted for them are free of everything (wheat, gluten, milk, casein, soy, yeast, starch, egg, altodextrin, and stearate).
I buy her vitamins from here:
http://www.ourkidsasd.com/
You also mentioned that you tested IgG levels and the result was that the gut was inflamed. Did you test him to rule out Celiac disease? Maybe you should consider seeing a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Anyway, I hope the vitamin link helps.

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J.L.

answers from Seattle on

We gave our daughter the Rainbow Light Multivitamin Powder when she was that age. You can mix the powder with just about anything (applesauce, yogurt, etc). It's pretty much straight vitamins and a sweetener (fructose). I don't recommend mixing it with a drink, because it doesn't dissolve.

http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories.aspx?Category=a0de...

They carry it at Whole Foods. You can also find it lots of places online. Rainbow Light makes high quality food based vitamins. I currently take their prenatal and my daughter, now almost three, takes the multi-stars.

Buena suerte!

K.M.

answers from Atlanta on

How old is your son? When my son was about 13 months old I started giving him vitamins. Even though the labels on the bottle may say that there is 100% of your vitamin c for example, that doesn’t mean 100% is actually absorbed. In fact most of it is flushed right down the toilet. Luckily I have found a company that has vitamins that are actually absorbed into the system and they actually have the science to back it up. I would definitely encourage you to get some information. You can go to http://www.gogreenwebcast.com/gagreen to sign up for a free online presentation. My son who is now 22 months old did a complete 180 when he started taking the children's vitamins. They will also show you many more things that will help you keep him healthy,especially if he is suffering from allergies! I highly encourage you check it out!( The children vitamins come in chewables but I just crushed them up into a powder)

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N.I.

answers from Portland on

Try Shaklee - it is awesome! Not only do they make sure there is no lead or other contaminants in them they actually work.

N.
Health and Wellness Coach

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