Raising a child is equal parts joyful and stressful, and one of the most important aspects of a child’s life is their health. Making sure that they’re well-fed and well-nourished throughout their formative years will help them grow into well-adjusted kids, teens, and eventual adults. 

It’s normal to worry if your child is getting the nutrients they need - especially in the first few years of their life. This common worry has many people wondering if liquid vitamins for toddlers are necessary. 

In most cases, toddlers get the nutrients they need (including vitamins and minerals) from the foods that they eat and even breast milk, if they’re still nursing. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that children who eat a balanced and healthy diet don’t need additional vitamins, but many parents usurp that opinion and give their children supplements to make sure that they’re getting all the nutrients they need to thrive (1). 

There are a number of reasons why some parents choose to do this. One of the main reasons centers around the fact that toddlers are notoriously picky eaters. If they will only eat a few types of foods, giving them a multivitamin dosage per day can ensure that they get what they’re not receiving from their diet. Organic liquid vitamins could also benefit children that follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, as many vitamins and minerals come from animal products that they, as a rule, do not consume. 

Whatever the reason is for choosing liquid vitamins for kids, make sure you clear it with your child’s pediatrician before incorporating it into their diet. The last thing you want to do is give your child too much - and yes, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing when it comes to vitamins and minerals.

How Toddlers Get Nutrients

As we stated previously, toddlers should be getting all of their nutrients from the foods that they eat and the breast milk that they consume, if they are still nursing. Breast milk is one of the best options for a growing toddler (and baby) because it contains all the vitamins and minerals that they need to function. 

If your toddler is no longer breastfeeding, that’s okay too. As long as you feed your child plenty of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, they should get all the necessary nutrients without the presence of liquid vitamins. 

But, of course, we wouldn’t be writing this article if liquid vitamins weren’t necessary for some toddlers. Every child is different, with their own unique needs, when it comes to nutrition. 

Vitamins Toddlers Need 

Vitamins are necessary for a growing and developing toddler. Vitamins that they need to grow up healthy and strong include: vitamins A, C, D, E, k, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, and B12. 

Liquid vitamins may be necessary for your toddler if they follow a restricted diet, as the foods that they eat might not be enough of a source of these important vitamins. 

Best Liquid Vitamins For Toddlers

Liquid supplements are a great way to make sure that your toddler is getting all the nutrients their body needs. Here are some of the best liquid vitamin options on the market for toddlers:

Liquid Daily multivitamins from BetterFamily is, of course, our first choice. The dosage of our family multivitamin can be customized to fit any member of your household - we even have a specific dosage for toddlers. Liquid Daily contains vitamins like vitamin A, the B complex vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K to ensure the general health of the whole family, including that of your toddler. 

Second on the list is SmartyPants Multivitamin with DHA. These multivitamins contain 13 key ingredients that support your toddler’s general growth and development, and it comes with a syringe that makes the dosage easy to administer. This multivitamin is designed by pediatricians, is third-party tested, is free of the 8 most common allergens, and supports brain, bone, eye, and immune system health. 

Next up is Garden of Life Baby Multivitamin. This choice is geared towards babies and toddlers alike, and it is a vegan product that contains 13 important vitamins and minerals. 

Enfamil Liquid Multivitamin is yet another great choice. This multivitamin is free from most allergens and is designed to aid your toddler’s growth and development. Make note that this supplement contains ferrous sulfate, which is a type of iron, which means it is not suitable for all toddlers. 

There are many reasons as to why parents give their toddlers liquid multivitamins. Just remember to consult your child’s pediatrician before introducing a new supplement into their routine.  

Resources

1. "Best Liquid Vitamins For Babies: Your Ultimate Guide." Supplements You Can Trust, 29 Dec. 2021, supplementsyoucantrust.com/best-liquid-vitamins-for-babies/.