Is it harmful to give my 6 year old step daughter a multi vitamin? I am concerned her diet may not be well balanced when she is not with us
I edited the question. I was not familiar with the forum. How would that offend mom when she is in Dads care? I am happy to say we are very "healthy" eaters. Organic and not carb junkies.
When custody is shared parents need to agree on such things as whether or not to give vitamins. If the mother doesn't want for daughter to have vitamins she can object to the father giving them. Then the father has to decide if this is a battle worth fighting. I don't see how anyone could win in such a battle.
I'd not make this an issue at this time.
My son is 7. The pediatrician said we can give him Flintstones Complete. She did not like any of the other vitamins on the market. Articles I've read in Parents Magazine said Flintstones were one of the few children's vitamins that have exactly the nutrients they claim to have. I actually take them everyday too because I don't like the big adult vitamins.
Hope this helps.
Not harmful at all! During flu season, it's advisable. They make age appropriate multi-vitamins, though. so, just be sure you are giving proper vitamins with proper dosages.
No, in fact my pediatrician wants my boys (2,4) taking a kids multivitamin. Just get the kind that is for her age/weight and she'll be fine. My kids will only eat the gummy kind and I figure it's okay since at least they're eating them. :) You can find them at Target/Walmart with like 180 for $10. Good luck!
i'd give her a vitamin that is age appropriate. and ask dad or mom 1st. medicating someone elses kid can be a touchy subject.
Hi A.,
Kids need to get as many of their vitamins from fruits and vegetables. If you are having trouble getting her enough, please feel free to go to my website to see the benefits of a whole-food based gummie. Juice Plus has been around for years, and their children's study is showing some great results. The adult version is in a capsule, but the kids is a gummie without the use of corn syrup. The fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of chemicals as well.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
N.
Not harmful at all. Choose one made specifically for kids -- and read the ingredients so that you buy one that contains no artificial sweetners. :)
First I just want to say Good for you for considering your "step" daughter your daughter without second thought. I don't know why society must always stick to labels, you help raise her, you love her, she probably even calls you mom and that's what you are. Not a replacement of her mom but an addition to her. Good for you.
That said, check out the info and products at www.askdrsears.com they have all the info you need to help decide if she needs supplements and also great options for fulfilling those needs.
Yeah, of course. There are lots of great multi's for kids. Just be sure to read the label thoroughly to make sure she's getting the appropriate dosage and KEEP THEM OUT OF HER REACH. Most kids vites are sweet like candy so they'll eat a bunch at once if they can and that can be harmful.
God made the orange. Scientist took the vitamin C out of it and said it was good. Who designed us and our food and knows what He is doing. I would stick to whole grains, fruits and vegetables. No isolated nutrition like vitamins. I have a nutrition dvd if you would like to watch it. God Bless!
J.
no she needs it. Our food sources are so depleted, beginning with the soil and then the constant washing in the stores....
I have my son one and he has been on one since he was 16 months old.
Hi A.,
That is a great question, one I wish more parents would ask. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES children and adults NEED vitamins and mineral supplements. Our food source is very depleted, we are not eating right, no matter if we are eating organic, we still can not get all of our dietary needs through food. It is impossible. We would have to eat such a large quantity of food if we truly were to get all our essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients from food alone.
I recommend different things to my clients. A multivitamin is great, but you really have to be careful when you are purchasing them. Look at the ingredients and the percentages. What is really in that bottle? You may be very surprised when you read the label what actually goes into some children’s (and adults) vitamins. Preservatives, additives, sugar or sugar substitutes even “blue dye #12” or some other artificial colouring.
Here is a simple check list when purchasing, if id does not contain at least 100% of the RDA of the following ingredients, skip it: Vitamin A, C, D, and B, B12, niacin, folate, Iodine (from a natural source like kelp), zinc, copper, manganese.
My kids eat a multivitamin 3 times a day, couple that with their nutrition shake each AM and I’ve got the healthiest kids on the block! The ones I feed my kids contain everything above AND more, broccoli, cranberry, carrot, rose hips, spinach, tomato and more. My kids love them. They are chewable and taste like orange. You can get them here: http://liveitdontdiet.isagenix.com/us/en/isakids.dhtml Hey you can’t get a better quality.
Whatever you choose for your family will be better than nothing. Just educate yourself on what really matters, your family’s health.
B.
Family Success Coach
Make sure it is organic. I usually do not recommend a multi. I suggest cod liver oil by green pasture it has Vit D3 which helps everything this time of year. Look up on Weston A Price Foundation. I have good organic sources too.
Hi A. - you are better off avoiding isolated supplements (man made in a lab with no assurance that it is actually what it says). More and more research is showing that they can actually do more harm than good. NBC did a Bay Area investigation on the 25billion dollar vitamin industry. Found that consumers are buying more nutritional supplements in a recession but they are not getting what they are paying for. 30% of supplements don't contain what the label says it does. Many supplements exceed the tolerable amounts leading to Vitamin A, Folic Acid,and Zinc toxicity. Three out of 4 children's vitamins are too high in vitamin A potentially causing eye and skin problems. The government doesn't test before allowing vitamins to go on store shelves. Most vitamins don't and can't back up their claims. NBC says the best bet is to get from a colorful variety of of fruits and vegetables. We can't think that we can right our wrongs of eating an unbalanced diet by taking a vitamin.
The take away here is to ask for proof that the nutritional supplement you are taking is what is says, gets in the blood stream and does what is says it does. 25billion dollars spent on vitamin supplements and America is still getting sicker. Research is proving that we need our nutrients from whole food, not multivitamins.
I recommend you work on getting her to eat more of the whole foods (I know that's not easy and you're looking for the best solution). Try Juice Plus chewables for her. My kids absolutely love them. It's not a supplement, in fact it has a nutrition label because it's considered concentrated food. I was a customer for three years before I became a wellness consultant with the company. The independent scientific research on Juice Plus proves it is the phytonutrient, antioxidants and enzymes from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, that it gets in the blood stream, improves immune function, helps repair DNA, improves cardiovascular health and overall well being. If you do believe that eating more fruits and vegetables every day will improve and protect your health, then you don't need a man made vitamin supplement that can't back it's claims, you need to eat more fruits and vegetables every day and bridge the gap with Juice Plus. If you want more information on it just give me a call or go to wethriveonjuiceplus.com. It gives me tons of peace of mind. I was right where you are five years ago and because Juice Plus was the catalyst to healthier habits, my kids actually eat more fruits and veggies now too!
--
Hi A.,
I've been giving my 4yr old daughter a chewable multivitamin since she was 2-1/2yrs. We use the Incredivites from Shaklee because we can be sure they are safe and contain what the bottle says. Shaklee is the #1 natural nutrition company in the U.S. and has been around for over 50yrs. They have a reputation for safe, pure, and effective products. It's hard to get the proper nutrition in children this age and immunity protection is so important. My daugher hasn't had more than a runny nose and a slight cough since she was 2yrs and she's in preschool. The incredivites contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals, the newest recommended dose of Vitamin D, and a prebiotic for immunity. They also have no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives. Check them out at www.greennutrition.info and register to win $200 in free products at www.freegreenproducts.info. Let me know if you have any questions.
First though, I would ask her Mother, if it is okay.... so there is no offense either way.
You said "my daughter does not eat as well with her Mother...as she does when she is with me..."
So maybe I am confused?
I have always given my kids multi-vitamins... KIDS kind.
Like the brand "Animal Parade."
All the best,
Susan
