Does your child need vitamins? What parents should know
Parents often ask: does my child need vitamins if they eat a varied diet? For most children, food provides the nutrients they need, but there are a few important exceptions.
In this article you will learn when food is enough, why vitamin D is special and how to use supplements designed for children safely.
In brief. A child with a varied diet usually does not need multivitamins. The main exception is vitamin D, which children need for normal growth and development of bone.1 A supplement may also be needed for children on a vegan diet. Children's doses are lower than adult doses, and supplements should always be kept out of children's reach.
Does a child need multivitamins?
If a child eats vegetables, fruit, grain products, dairy products, meat or fish, they usually get enough vitamins and minerals.
Multivitamins may be useful when a child eats very little or a very limited range of foods. In that case, first talk to a paediatrician so that it can be assessed what is actually lacking.
Example. If a child refuses vegetables for a month but eats fruit, eggs and dairy products, multivitamins are usually not needed. It is more important to patiently offer vegetables in different forms.
Why is vitamin D important for children?
Vitamin D is needed for normal growth and development of bone in children.1 It is hard to get from food, and sunlight is often not enough in autumn and winter.
For example, the UK health service recommends giving breastfed babies 8.5–10 µg of vitamin D daily from birth, and children aged 1–4 years 10 µg. Babies who drink more than 500 ml of infant formula a day do not need a supplement, because the formula is already fortified.2 Recommendations differ slightly between countries, so discuss the dose with your paediatrician.
| Age | Adequate intake | Upper safe limit |
|---|---|---|
| Infants up to 6 months | The dose is chosen by the paediatrician. | 25 µg per day.4 |
| Infants 6–12 months | 10 µg per day (for infants aged 7–11 months).3 | 35 µg per day.4 |
| Children 1–10 years | 15 µg per day.3 | 50 µg per day.5 |
| Adolescents 11–17 years | 15 µg per day.3 | 100 µg per day.5 |
Example. 1 µg = 40 IU, so 10 µg = 400 IU.2 A 100 µg (4,000 IU) adult supplement would exceed the safe limit for a small child, so choose products designed for children.
When might a child need other supplements?
- Vegan diet – vitamin B12 cannot be reliably obtained from plant foods, so a supplement or fortified foods are usually needed.6
- Very picky eating over a long period – talk to a paediatrician or dietitian.
- Premature babies, chronic illnesses – supplements are prescribed by a doctor.
- Iron – only after a deficiency has been identified by a blood test and recommended by a doctor.
Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) are often offered to children. However, the best source of them is fish, and a supplement is useful when a child does not eat fish.
How to use children's supplements safely
- Keep them out of children's reach. Gummies look like sweets, and an overdose of iron supplements can be very dangerous for young children.7
- Do not combine two products containing the same vitamins, e.g. fish oil and vitamin D drops – both may contain vitamins A and D.2
- Follow the dose stated on the label and check from what age the product is intended.
- Chewable capsules and gummies are not suitable for young children who cannot yet chew well.
When to see a doctor. If your child is not gaining weight, is pale, constantly tired or eats a very limited range of foods, discuss it with a paediatrician. Supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet.8
Selected supplements for children
Commercial information. These are products available in our shop. This is not an effectiveness ranking. Before buying, check the composition, age limit and instructions for use on the product page.
DLux Infant Daily Vitamin D Oral Spray - 15 ml - BetterYou
Oral spray, 10 µg (400 IU) of vitamin D3 per spray. The manufacturer states that it is intended for children from birth to 3 years.9
DLux Junior Daily Vitamin D Oral Spray - 15 ml - BetterYou
Oral spray, 10 µg (400 IU) of vitamin D3 per spray, mint flavour. The manufacturer states that it is suitable for children from 3 years.10
Multivitamin Kids' Daily Oral Spray, Chocolate and Marshmallow - 25 ml - BetterYou
Multivitamin spray with 14 nutrients, one serving is 4 sprays. The manufacturer states that it is suitable from 12 months, and recommends consulting a specialist for children under 3 years. It already contains vitamin D, so do not give separate vitamin D drops at the same time.11
Vitamin D-3 Liquid, 400 IU - 59 ml - NOW Foods
Vitamin D3 drops derived from lanolin, 10 µg (400 IU) in 4 drops. For children, the manufacturer states 4 drops once a day.12
Frequently asked questions
Should a child be given vitamin D in summer too?
It depends on age, diet and how much time the child spends outdoors. Vitamin D is usually recommended all year round for breastfed babies.2 Make the decision together with your paediatrician.
Are adult vitamins suitable for children?
Usually not. Adult supplements contain higher doses, which may exceed the safe limits for children.5 Choose products whose label states a suitable age.
What should I do if a child has accidentally swallowed a lot of vitamins?
Contact a poison information centre immediately or call 112. Keep the packaging at hand so that you can say what was swallowed and how much.
Scientific sources
- Komisijos reglamentas (EB) Nr. 983/2009 dėl leidimo naudoti tam tikrus teiginius apie maisto produktų sveikatingumą, susijusius su ligos rizikos mažinimu ir vaikų vystymusi bei sveikata. EUR-Lex
- NHS. Vitamins for children. nhs.uk
- EFSA NDA Panel. Dietary reference values for vitamin D. EFSA Journal. 2016;14(10):4547. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4547
- EFSA NDA Panel. Update of the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D for infants. EFSA Journal. 2018;16(8):5365. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5365
- EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific opinion on the tolerable upper intake level for vitamin D, including the derivation of a conversion factor for calcidiol monohydrate. EFSA Journal. 2023;21(8):8145. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8145
- NHS. The vegan diet. nhs.uk
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 21 CFR 101.17(e) – Dietary supplements containing iron or iron salts: warning statement. ecfr.gov
- Direktyva 2002/46/EB dėl valstybių narių įstatymų, susijusių su maisto papildais, suderinimo. EUR-Lex
- BetterYou. DLux Infant Daily Vitamin D Oral Spray, 15 ml. Product label.
- BetterYou. DLux Junior Daily Vitamin D Oral Spray, 15 ml. Product label.
- BetterYou. Multivitamin Kids' Daily Oral Spray, 25 ml. Product label.
- NOW Foods. Vitamin D-3 Liquid, 400 IU, 59 ml. Product label.
Disclaimer. This article is for information purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor, paediatrician or pharmacist. Food supplements are not intended to treat or prevent diseases and are not a substitute for a varied diet. Before giving a child supplements, especially to infants and children with chronic illnesses, consult a paediatrician.
