I am thinking of giving my daughter (who is 5) some vitamins during the winter months, I am also considering giving her Cod Liver Oil, I also see that its not as popular as it used to be. I would like to know which vitamins or supplements other parents have used or are using for their children at the moment? And whether any parents have used or are using Cod Liver Oil and whether there have been any notable changes they may have noticed in their children, like increased appetites, more energy, stronger resilience to colds and so forth. |
Firstly many thanks for all your answers. After discussing the possibility of supplements and cod liver oil with our pediatrician, we decided that extra vitamins would not be necessary (my daughter has a healthy appetite and consumes seasonal fruits on a daily basis) but had no hesitation in suggesting that we try out cod liver oil. We do try to eat fish twice a week but in all honesty sometimes we are just not able to. (this would be a good way to ensure intake of Omega 3 fatty acids too) Since then I discovered some interesting facts that may be helpful to other parents aswell. Cod liver oil controversy. This article from Dr Ben Kim also helped make my decision as to which brand I would buy. So I decided to try out the Carlson Laboratories-Norwegian Cod liver oil-Lemon We (the whole family) have been using it, for just over a week, the lemony taste makes it easy to drink and has no fish odour. Maybe its psychological I don't know but we feel good for taking it. So while it seems there are issues regarding the amounts of Vitamin A in Cod liver oil and contamination in the North Sea Cod liver oil versus Omega 3 fish oil I think that paying attention to the vitamin A ratios can help you make the right choice. Quoted from: Trusted MD
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My older two have a kids' multivitamin tablet every day. It varies which one - they particularly like the Bassetts ones, but they're quite expensive, so sometimes they have own brand ones. I don't give them cod liver oil. We started giving them the multivits because both of us take vitamin C with zinc every day and they wanted some too. We take ours because we think it might stave off the worst of the winter colds, and I hope that they have a similar effect on the children. The results have not been obvious, and it's hardly a controlled trial, but they haven't had a day off school for colds since they started taking them (but I'm afraid I send them in unless there's something seriously wrong). Cod liver oil does taste disgusting, and I'm not sure what the benefits are supposed to be for healthy children. :) Yes we tried the Bassetts too, they are just nice and chewy. There are multi vitamin syrups like "minadex" that I have seen but I am reluctant to go in that direction of coloured sweet tasting syrups, your vitamin C with zinc could be an option for us, I still think I would like to try the Cod liver oil though at :)
(25 Oct '09, 07:17)
Emi
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I just give my daughter store-brand Flinstones multi-vitamins. I would talk to your pediatrician before going any farther than that. |
We give them, and take for us as well, natural sources of vitamins: oranges, pomegranates, grapes, pears, apples, ... Yes we eat the fruits too, but during winter I wanted to try giving something a bit extra.
(25 Oct '09, 07:08)
Emi
In my opinion, fruits and vegetables contains engough vitamins and don't need to be supplemented.
(25 Oct '09, 11:40)
mouviciel
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