Kids vitamins - which ones do you use?

welshcamper

I never gave any of my four vitamins, aslong as they have a healthy diet i think thats fine.

kelloggs36

I also don't believe in giving vitamins unless the child is ill and suffering from a lack of something. All the vitamins we need is in the food that we eat - even in fish fingers etc, so there is no need to give any vitamins. I agree that it is a ploy to make parents part with money when they really don't need to at all. Save the money spent on vitamins and put it towards the food!

moomoomama27

kelloggs36 wrote: »

I also don't believe in giving vitamins unless the child is ill and suffering from a lack of something. All the vitamins we need is in the food that we eat - even in fish fingers etc, so there is no need to give any vitamins. I agree that it is a ploy to make parents part with money when they really don't need to at all. Save the money spent on vitamins and put it towards the food!

All wel and good if children will eat a varied diet, but for those who don't vitamins are a 'fall back', to ensure they are getting the correct daily amount.

jellyhead

It's not just about fruit and veg - kids also need essential fatty acids. When I was small we used to eat sardines on toast etc. but many kids nowadays don't eat oily fish.

My 5 year old doesn't have any supplements, but my 14 year old has always taken them. He was a fussy eater for years and had to see a dietician who said he was short on calcium, iron and vitamin D (and I was told about omega3 etc. later on).

He didn't like what she prescribed, so I bought chewable kids vitamins. Nowadays he takes boots own A-Z chewables which cost around £3 a month. He is 14 so they don't contain enough of anything really, but nowadays he doesn't really need a vitamin supplement (because he eats properly) and I am considering asking the GP what she thinks.

jellyhead

My 14 year old also takes boots calcium, but that shouldn't be given to children without advice and overdose can cause kidney stones etc.

14 year old likes haliborange omega 3 capsules, they are orange or berry flavoured, and are for younger children. He spits out the shell. He has tried eye-Q etc. but he hates the texture and taste.

I get everything on 3for2 at boots, but after reading this thread I'm going to have a look at Tesco's own brands. It's not always easy to compare because the ingredients lists are sometimes hidden underneath a peelable label, well they are in boots.
5 year old is dropping his intake of lactose free milk (my kids are both lactose intolerant so they are more likely to miss out on nutrients) and is sneering at salmon etc. so at some point I might consider getting omega 3 for him and possibly calcium, depending on his intake from non-dairy sources. He is enormous and grows at a terrifying rate, so I worry about his bones.

jellyhead

This is the last of my ramblings, I promise - but I have taken omega supplements myself in the past and they helped with my concentration and memory, so I do think they are worthwhile for some children. I need to start taking them again myself,

Nicki

jellyhead wrote: »

5 year old is dropping his intake of lactose free milk (my kids are both lactose intolerant so they are more likely to miss out on nutrients) and is sneering at salmon etc. so at some point I might consider getting omega 3 for him and possibly calcium, depending on his intake from non-dairy sources. He is enormous and grows at a terrifying rate, so I worry about his bones.

If there's a medical reason, you may be able to get multi vitamins for your children on prescription. My DD is autistic and was on a gluten and casein free diet for 6 months when she was about 3. The doctor have her a multivitamin supplement to ensure she was fully covered during this period (can't remember the name it was a powder which dissolved in liquids, yogurts, etc). Might be worth enquiring?

jellyhead

Thanks, I'll bear it in mind if my 5 year old looks as if he needs supplements - buy my eldest hated all the prescribed stuff and wouldn't touch it, fussy child!

shays_mum

Thanks for all the interesting posts!.
My dd has a disorder which makes it difficult for her to eat/swallow properly - so its not an issue of not been given decent/proper/varied food!. Coming from an Asian background, we are mostly veggies (do sneak in some meat/fish now & then!) & we do have iron/calcuim probs in the family and tbh i wouldn't class fishfingers as 'proper food', unless they were made fresh by me!!.
I cook healthy food (dal's etc) give them seasonal fruit & veg and lots of smoothies for dd as well, so thanks for the guidance for those with constructive posts.
BTW do you have any idea how expensive raw Indian food is?? vitamins are cheap in comparison :rotfl:

shays_mum

BOBS wrote: »

I am wondering though if anyone any more thoughts on the omega 3 for concentration and if there is any particular one better than others ? does it really make any difference ?

They did a big study that was featured on the tv by Prof Winston (the one with the moustache!), they used the eyeq brand & it seemed really positive. My kids hated that stuff & its really expensive so best to wait for the 342 in Boots, which they have now!
HTH