My Top Vitamin Supplements For Baby and Child

Keep in mind, this information is based off my personal experience and recommendations from my doctor and nutritionist.

The best vitamin source is a good diet or rich breast milk. However, sometimes supplementation is also needed or recommended.

0-3 MONTHS

If you are #breastfeeding, your baby should be getting all of his necessary nutrients from your milk, unless otherwise deficient in certain areas. I highly recommend getting blood work and talking with your health care practitioner. Personally for me, before getting pregnant I started seeing a naturopathic doctor so I could prepare my body for #pregnancy. Through blood work, I found  I was slightly anemic during my pregnancy with Banx, baby number two, and therefore needed an iron supplement, which I continued taking and monitoring after giving birth. 

4-6 MONTHS

1. Alfalfa Complex- 1/2 alfalfa tablet crushed and mixed with pureed food or in a bottle

2. Nordic Naturals D3- I prefer a liquid vitamin D, as my 2nd is not eating solids at this age. You can't go wrong with Nordic Naturals D3.

3. Ther-Biotic Infant Probiotic- I've read a lot about different opinions around this topic of probiotics for baby. I personally believe in the benefit at this age and give my children probiotics daily starting at this age. I'm currently using Ther-Biotic. They also make probiotics for children and adults. Another personal probiotic recommendation is the VSL#3. I started giving this to Kai when he was under 1 year and simply mixed 1/4 teaspoon in his pureed food daily as it is a very high concentration of CFU's. I also take this probiotic now and then now that Kai is 5-years-old, he gets 1/2 a capsule and a full capsule when he is sick. Another great option we use as a family is the Arbonne Digestion Plus which features a prebiotic with a probiotic and 11 digestive enzymes. It's easily mixed in water or other liquid.

4. Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil- flavors: cinnamon, unflavored, or orange Multi Vitamin

5. Foods rich in folate- (not folic acid- especially if your child has the MTHFR Gene Mutation)

6. Multi Vitamin- At this time I do not have any specific recommendations

7. Vitamin C Baby 0-12 months- (this will be in place of the multivitamin). I like the Infants Vitamin C Liquid Drops by Mary Ruth Organics OR Shaklee Chewable Vitamin C (can crush and add to food). If you notice a red bottom, then lessen your chewable vitamin c. Sometimes too much vitamin c can make baby's body acidic and cause redness around the anus.

6-12 MONTHS

1. Alfalfa Complex- 1-3 alfalfa tablet crushed and mixed with pureed food or in a bottle

2. Nordic Naturals D3

3. Ther-Biotic Childrens Probiotic

4. Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil- flavors: cinnamon, unflavored, or orange

5. Foods rich in folate/B Vitamin- (not folic acid- especially if your child has the MTHFR Gene Mutation)

6. Multi Vitamin- Again, at this age it is difficult to find a solid brand

7. Vitamin C Baby 0-12 months- (this will be in place of the multivitamin). I like the Infants Vitamin C Liquid Drops by Mary Ruth Organics OR Shaklee Chewable Vitamin C (can crush and add to food). If you notice a red bottom, then lessen your chewable vitamin c. Sometimes too much vitamin c can make baby's body acidic and cause redness around the anus.

8. Kyolic Liquid Garlic- I swear by this used in cooking and given with raw honey. If you don't do honey at this age, you could add 7-10 drops to a little orange juice or baby elderberry syrup. It acts like a natural antibiotic. Winner!

12 MONTHS +

1. Alfalfa Complex

2. Nordic Naturals D3

3. Ther-Biotic Childrens Probiotic

4. Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil- flavors: cinnamon, unflavored, or orange

5. Foods rich in folate/B Vitamin- (not folic acid- especially if your child has the MTHFR Gene Mutation)

6. Multi Vitamin- REFER BELOW

7. Vitamin C Baby 1-3 years- (this will be in place of the multivitamin). I like the Infants Vitamin C Liquid Drops by Mary Ruth Organics AND/OR Shaklee Chewable Vitamin C. My kids love these and have several a day, especially during flu season (the colder months).

8. Kyolic Liquid Garlic- I swear by this used in cooking and given with raw honey. If you don't do honey at this age, you could add 7-10 drops to a little orange juice or baby elderberry syrup. It acts like a natural antibiotic. Winner!

CHILDREN 2+

1. Alfalfa Complex

2. Nordic Naturals D3

3. Ther-Biotic Childrens Probiotic

4. Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil- flavors: cinnamon, unflavored, or orange

5. Multi Vitamin- Mary Ruth or Smarty Pants Gummies

6. Vitamin C Baby 0-12 months- (this will be in place of the multivitamin). I like the Infants Vitamin C Liquid Drops by Mary Ruth Organics AND/OR Shaklee Chewable Vitamin C. My kids love these and have several a day, especially during flu season (the colder months).

7. Foods rich in folate/B Vitamin- (not folic acid- especially if your child has the MTHFR Gene Mutation)

8. ***Kyolic Liquid Garlic***

9. Iron- Liquid Pure Encapsulations- apple cinnamon flavored (this is especially important and can really affect their behavior. If you notice darker under eyes, it could be an #irondeficiency. As always, check with your doctor.

Other things to keep in mind to strengthen immunity...

1. Increase veggie intake and dark leafy greens- for children under age TWO, I found it best to gently steam/cook greens before adding to baby's meal, pureed food, or smoothies (a great way to add/hide greens and veggies for picky eaters!). I find children at this age have a hard time digesting these greens because of the cellulose. Cooking the greens makes it much easier to digest.

2. Decrease dairy, refined and processed foods- sugar will break down and compromise your immune system.

3. Let your kids play in the dirt- read WHY HERE.

4. If able, make your own baby food and choose organic if possible. See the "Dirty Dozen" list HERE.

5. If nursing, try adding oregano capsules, garlic tablets, or up your own probiotics, vitamin c, vitamin d, and multivitamin to your regular supplement routine. It works for me! Or simply eat more fruits and veggies high in vitamin c!

I hope this was helpful in some way or another. Please share your tips and tricks with us below! And remember, we set the example. If you're finding it difficult to eat whole foods and cook clean for your family (this means not serving your littles typical "kid food" all the time), then we encourage you to join a mommy group, find community, or start your own cooking club with other moms or couples!

As always, I am always eager to hear and learn more!

To healthy babies and kiddos!

Resources:

1. https://swansonhealthcenter.com/health-issues/https://wellnessmama.com/category/health/

2. https://www.mamanatural.com/probiotics-for-infants/

3. http://www.pedilungdocs.com/education/cpt_infant.pdf

4. https://www.babyq.com/lens/nutrition/high-fructose-corn-syrup-hydrogenated-oil/

5. https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/family-nutrition/facts-about-fats/hydrogenated-fats

6. https://www.wellmother.org/baby-shiatsu-massage/