Vitamins/supplements for Toddlers

I give my son infant vitamins in powder form, intended for consumption by children ages infant to 4 years. They also make chewables. They do contain iron. Shaklee, the company that makes the products, has very strict product standards and is the #1 nutritional supplement company in the US. They stand behind their products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I do sell these products, so please reply to get the website. It contains a section on children's nutrition as well.

First off I would suggest getting a new pediatrician! My pediatrician has always suggested "Flinstone complete".

Hello Michelle,

I've been using Infant Care from Twinlab for more than 7 years. I still give it to my kids and they are now 8 & 6. I put it in their morning drink. Most vitamins out there have way too much and just end up being flushed from their little bodies. I tried other brands, even gummies but they either had unwanted sugars and/or ingredients. I've been very pleased w/ twinlab and will keep using their products. and since I use it as a suplement, it's OK that it does not provide 100% of those nutrients for my 6 & 8 yr-old because I want them to eat the right foods --someday...and that's a whole different story =). btw, they're very knowledgeable at the Flower Mound pharmacy. they can point you to natural products too not just pharmaceuticals. So I would still talk with them when you get a chance.

Twinlab Infant Care Multivitamin Drops
Ingredients:

Vitamin A (from fish liver oil concentrate)- 1500 IU - 100%
Vitamin C (from sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid) - 35 mg - 100%
Vitamin D (from fish liver oil concentrates) - 400 IU - 100%
Vitamin E (from d-alpha tocopheryl acetate) - 5 IU - 100%
Thiamin (B1) (from thiamin hydrochloride) - 0.5 mg - 100%
Riboflavin (B2) - 0.6 mg - 100%
Niacin (B3) (from Niacinamide) - 8 mg - 100%
Vitamin B6 (from pyridoxine hydrochloride) - 0.4 mg - 100%
Vitamin B12 (from cyanocobalamin) - 2 mcg - 100%
Pantothenic acid (from dexpanthanol) - 3 mg - 100%
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) - 20 mg
Water (Filtered), Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Orange Flavor

Note: the dropper can get a bit messy. I put it in a small container/plate w/ a napkin under it.

here is a review I found online:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Twinlab_Infant_Care_Multiv...

MIchelle, SHaklee makes an awesome multivitamin and multimineral for infant & toddlers, which is powder, and can be added to his juice or cereal, etc. It is called Vita-Lea Infant Mix. THen when he will chew a vitamin, Shaklee has a chewable one, Ocean Wonders Vita Lea. OUr kids all started chewing them at about 15 to 16 months. I know it is very confusing as to what to take since there are so many out there to choose from. They are definitely not all the same. Shaklee has been around for 51 years and is the #1 natural nutrition company in the USA. Their products are different than others in alot of ways. But it is mainly the science behind them, their purity, safety and efficacy which makes them about the best thing you can give your son. You can only get these through a distributor. MY family has used them for 24 years with terrific results. Because they worked so well, I became a distributor 18 years ago and would be glad to get you some info and help you if you are interested. I live close to you in Irving. ____@____.com

B. C.

Michelle,
Vitamins are a good idea, although its best to get your vitamins from quality whole foods. Unfortunately, many vitamins have too much sugar and not enough benefit. This is an unfortunate problem arising from the lack of quality manufacturing standards for vitamins.

I recommend you order them online from reputable companies, rather than buy them from a pharmacy or even health food store. For vitamins, I like Usana brand and products I get from www.herbalhealer.com. For omega-3s, I like Carlson's brand fish oil. This is available from Whole Foods or www.mercola.com.

However, the most important supplement you could give your child is not a vitamin or fish oil. It is a probiotic. Europeans physicians are beginning to recommend this routinely for all children. 80-90% of your immune system is in your gut. Good gut bacteria is VERY important for both effective nutrient absorption and immunity from illness. I use a brand called Zymogen from Royal Abrams Pharmacy. There are other brands as well. I would break the capsule open and dump the powder into applesauce, etc. Your child will be one of the healthiest kids around if you do this regularly. Yogurt is a questionable source of probiotics. Many people do not benefit from dairy consumption. Some believe that NOBODY benefits from pasteurized dairy, because of the massive degradation of the food that occurs in the sterilization process.

Talk to Joyce @ Sprouts...she is very knowledgeable!!!

I have started giving my toddler Horizon milk with DHA added in it, and there is no flavor at all, I think that is just wonderful (you can also get it in Silk soy milk). The Omega gummys are worse than nasty and the oils from Sprouts for Omega 3 are just gross. They say they are flavored, but still tastes like Strawberry fish oil, yuk! There are starting to be more foods out there with DHA added so there is a better chance for the little ones to absorb, Yo Baby yogurt is one. And then there is plenty of selection when it comes to getting Flax/Omega 6, granola, cereals, pancakes, etc. Even Smart Balance butter has it! Good luck, but my advise would be to taste any Omega 3/fish oil supplement that you plan to give your little one.

Hi Michelle,

I market a product for moms like yourself and me who care about their family's health and worry that they may not be getting enough nutrition in the foods they eat. This company found a way to put 17 fresh, raw fruits, veggies and grains into gummy treats for little ones and capsules for adults. The research shows it is far superior to any man-made vitamin. My family loves it so much I decided to go into business so I could make it available to other moms like me. For details, check out my website: www.GoodHealthMadeSimple.com. I've also got a coupon here on Mamasource.

Your doctor's response does not surprise me since most MDs receive very little education on nutrition during the course of their training, which is largely funded by pharmaceutical companies. They learn what drugs to prescribe for what diseases or symptoms but very little in the way of preventative medicine. Luckily, the tide is slowly turning as doctors do research on their own.

Let me know if you would like me to send you more information after you view my website.

Take care,

M.

P.S. The capsules provide great nutrition for pregnant and nursing moms too!

Not sure but I might try to find a different Doctor. There are so many good ones around. Check with your neighbors Good luck D.

Shaklee sets the standard for quality! Let me know if you would like more info. ~K.

Hello, Michelle!
For Omega-3 and -6, I give our son Flax Oil. By the way it can help to prevent diabetes and helminthic invasion. I buy this oil http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Bounty-Organic-Pressed-8-Ou...
but in in Walmart. And I give him this vitamins http://www.naturesplus.com/products/productDetail.asp?cri...
I buy them in Vitaminshop.

Your Pedi probably just gave you the very best advice EVER! Dennis Song owns Flower Mound Pharmacy and is a compounding pharmacist. There are not many of them around and we are fortunate to have one of the very best in our area. I would go to Dennis (he does consultations) and he will be able to recommend or compound just the right supplement for your child.
B.

There is nothing better than Juice Plus for kids. It is fruits and veggies and all that is needed. I'd love to talk to you. I live in Flower Mound and am a Jucie Plus distributor. Check it out. www.jpleanne.com
L. Harris
Wellness Coordinator

We just use the grocery store ones for their age, but I've heard to stay away from the gummy ones, as it gives them mega-caveties on their teeth.

I give my kids Coromega, which tastes like orange pudding, for their Omegas. I get it online, like from drugstore.com.

I did recently have a Dr. tell me that Omega Brites are the best Omegas, because so many - pretty much all the less expensive ones - are 'rancid' (his word). So when we're out of Coromega I'm going to get the Omega Brites.

We use Vemma which is a liquid all natural nutrition. We all take it at dinner time so it's a family thing. My pedi said it was great for my 15 month old too.

Call my friend, Amy to learn more and she will even send you a sample. It tastes great...my daughter even loves it. Amy's number is ###-###-####. Tell her S. (jewelrydiva) gave you her info.

Vemma was recently written up in a couple health magazines...ask her for a copy of the articles.

We use a natural vitamin in the form of a punch that also has no artificial sweeteners or colors. My son loves it, and it isn't too bad in my opinion. PM me if you want to know anymore. I actually sell it but don't want to "plug" my business through your site, but I can answer questions about what its ingredients are, and our pediatrician said it was a very good source of needed vitamins.