Hey all you smart mamas! I have another mother in law situation- some of you may not be surprised. My mom in law is driving me crazy insisting that I give flintstone's multivitamins to my 2 year old. He eats well and we have a very balanced and healthy diet in our home. I know the vitamins wouldn't hurt, but now it's the principle of the matter since I've made it clear to her that I don't think he should be taking them many times in the past.
When we are at her house, she has a stock pile of vitamins there and she give my child one, and says this whole schpeal that he cannot possibly understand "Ok Spencer, eat this vitamin! We only take one a day! We never take more than one a day! They may taste like candy, but they aren't!" Then it really made me mad when last night she came over and was asking me where I keep the vitamins she bought for us to have at home. I told her the truth which is that I left them in my car and they melted. Then she says to my 2yo "Spencer, didn't you tell mommy that we are taking our vitamins now and you want to take them at home too?"
I just ignored her, but this whole thing is really testing my patience. She is always going over my head and doing things that she knows drive me crazy. This is just one more thing, but I'm tired of taking it and not saying anything. I'm sure this will come up again soon, so I want to know what to say! Any thoughts? Does anyone think it is crucial that a two year old take vitamins? My Pediatrician said that so little of the vitamin is actually absorbed, that unless you want to spend big money on good vitamins, there's not really a point. Plus I read the label on the bottle and the very first ingredient is sugar! Help!
Hello S.,
follow your gut. I gave mine infant liquid vitamins in their morning drink until they were 6. that worked out great. I used twinn labs infant vitamins. good luck! ~C.~
My 2.5 year old takes Lil Critters Gummy Vites and they are voted best nutritional vitamin by Parent's magazine. It has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They are really nutritional and my dd gets 2 gummies after her bath. I feel that taking vitamins are something that are important for her health to keep her healthy. Even tho we do have a balanced diet. I also consulted her pediatrician and he highly recommended the lil critters. You can buy them at Wal Mart or Sam's however Sam's has the better buy, you get 220 vitamins for $10 v. 100 vitamins for $10. I would recommend researching this and then making a proactive decision best for you. Good Luck.
You are correct. Over the counter multivitamins for children are not absorbed well and actually create more free radicals which of course is NOT good!
I do give my children vitamins and there immune systems are very strong and they are healthier because of them but I only recommend a children's vitamin with Oligo Fructose so that there is not a free radical increase. They are also very cost effective and the science is proven and in top medical journals.
You can learn more at www.LiveTotalWellness.com/TEXAS
and good luck with your MIL.
woo, let me wrap my head around this, I feel for you. Different kind of drama but, same kind of mil....next time tell her that he is 2 and he isn't old enough to make his medical decisions yet, that you and his pediatrician do, thank you very much.
It's a southern thing...following up nicely ;o)
and btw...when my ds was an infant, the dr had us do the liquid vitamins and on. Now 13+ years later, new pedi, says they don't recommend that anymore.
Also, if I remember correctly, the bottle of flintstones also said to split the pill in half for under 4? or 6? years of age!
It's been a long time and I forget what age limit is and I don't have a bottle handy to look at. Hopefully someone else will. I don't give my dd any yet, but only because she was sick when I took my vitamins when I was breastfeeding with her and quit when I stopped taking my vitamin.
I found the directions online... http://flintstonesvitamins.com/faqs/#directions
it is under 4 half a tablet, or one gummie....And, those would have more sugar because they are essentially gummies with vitamins in them.
Also again, just found this reading on another request, scroll to the last response about gummies staining teeth? and ask your dentist too!...
http://www.mamasource.com/request/recent/75089/1231206898/41
do what you think is best for your child. since it is your MIL i would ask your husband to step up and help fend her off :) (for the lack of a better term!) ha! the fact that you are reading labels and asking your ped shows that you arent a uninformed mama. take her "advice" with a grain of salt...i know its hard...but do your best.
vitamin..my doc said to take one at 2. who knows!!!
I have to side with you, S.! Your Pedi is correct about little being absorbed. There is a chart from the Physician's Desk Reference and more info on absorption on the website www.VitalHealth.TunguskaMist.com
Also, keep in mind that most vitamins are synthetic and have fillers and binders and even possibly toxic ingredients. Things like silicon dioxide, hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, FD & C dyes, and even highly refined sugars (in the forms of sucrose, dextrose, and high-fructose corn syrup) are not healthy, especially for children.
I would forward this info to your MIL and tell her that she needs to do her research before giving your children ANY supplements without your approval.
