Most medical professionals agree that children should not need to take vitamins if they eat a proper diet. But many children are picky eaters and many parents worry that their children are not getting enough vitamins.
If children are eating enough that they are growing properly, it isn't as important that they get a variety of nutrients, and the related vitamins, in each meal. While a balanced diet is ideal for providing all necessary vitamins, most pediatricians say that as long as a child gets an adequate variety of foods within a one-week period, they are probably getting the vitamins they need.
However there are cases where supplementing vitamins may be necessary for children. Children who are on vegetarian diets, who don't eat dairy products, or who don't drink milk may need supplemental vitamins. Children who are housebound and do not get any exposure to the sun may need supplemental D vitamins. Infant formula usually contains all necessary vitamins, but for infants who are breastfeeding, pediatricians may recommend drops of vitamins that contain vitamins A, C and D, and newborns are usually given Vitamin K in their first week of life until their intestinal tracts develop the ability to produce it.
Don't assume that a multivitamin is the solution to your child's need for vitamins. Many multivitamins do not contain the recommended daily allowance of every vitamin. Check the label to make sure the vitamins you buy contain enough of the vitamins you feel your child isn't getting from food. Also check the dosage of vitamins by both age and weight; large children may need more vitamins than are standardly recommended for their age.
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