Supplements for kids

Children’s health supplements: when should supplementation start?

Tip: Protect your young ones from caries with natural tooth powder without fluoride, for example. Paediatricians recommend adding an additional 0.25 milligrammes of fluoride per day in tablet form up until your baby is two years of age, doubling the dose between the ages of two and four. From the ages of three to four, dentists and paediatricians recommend switching to fluoride toothpaste.

Vitamins for children: which are best?

It won’t come as a surprise to you that growing children need essential nutrients every day. The most important nutrient source they can ask for is a wholesome and varied diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. On average, most children in Ireland are well supplied with most vitamins and minerals. Deficiencies are common, however, when it comes to iron, iodine, folate and calcium.

Caution: Vitamins for children should not be taken if a deficiency is only suspected – you should first confirm a deficiency with a medical vitamin test.

Paediatricians generally prescribe vitamin D3 to babies and toddlers because even breast milk and a healthy diet are often not enough for children to absorb enough of the vitamin. A vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, leading to soft and weak bones.

What about omega-3 supplements for kids?

As your child grows up, omega 3s are considered vital for growth, muscle activity, brain development, and reducing the risk of asthma and allergies. In truth, omega 3s are responsible for many crucial processes that occur in our body – the list goes on!

As our bodies can’t produce omega 3 themselves, it is important to make sure our diets contain enough omega 3 – or otherwise to supplement with omega 3. Foods rich in omega 3 include salmon, sardines, mackerel, canned tuna with water, trout, herring, oysters, walnuts and beef.

If you decide that you would like to introduce omega-3 supplements for kids into your young one’s diet, you should be aware of the recommended daily omega-3 requirement:

• 0.5 grammes per day for babies
• 0.7 grammes for toddlers
• 0.9 grammes for children aged four to eight years
• around a gramme for young teenagers
• 1.6 grammes for teenage boys
• 1.1 grammes for teenage girls

Natural supplements for children: treating a poorly tummy

Did you know that a total of 80 per cent of our immune system is located in our gut? Healthy gut flora ensures our immune system remains fighting fit. A bacterial infection that requires antibiotic treatment quickly upsets the delicate balance of good and bad gut bacteria in children. The good news is that probiotics can help restore an optimal balance.

When a baby is born, the digestive system often still needs to mature. Whether it’s three-month colic or isolated abdominal pain, many children find a gentle tummy massage helps. In addition, children’s health supplements – such as herbal drops without alcohol or artificial additives – can relax their tummy.

How do I ensure my child enjoys their meal?

Vitamins for children ensure strong bones and teeth – and can prove very useful if the child has a nutrient deficiency such as vitamin D deficiency. Before turning to these supplements for kids, however, try adding more vibrantly coloured vegetables and fruits to their diet. Instil in them a joy for healthy eating with these tips:

• Let your child help prepare meals: Even the youngest can stir cold foods or slice potatoes with a butter knife and your help.
• Don't give up if your child is picky: Often, little ones have to try five to ten times before they start to enjoy or tolerate a certain food.
• Get creative with your cuisine: Make faces out of finger foods like raw vegetables and condiments.

Make your children's pasta dishes more fun with healthy food. If they don’t enjoy vegetables, blend or puree these directly into your tomato or bolognese sauce. It’s a win–win!