Does Your Child Need a Multivitamin?
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Calcium-fortified juice
Calcium-fortified waffles
Also, milk substitutes are all enriched with calcium. Soy milk, hemp milk, almond milk and rice milk are all adequate substitutions for dairy milk in terms of meeting your child's vitamin D needs. Consult with your doctor before providing a calcium supplement if you feel your child is not consuming enough through their diet.
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Iron
For babies who are not breast-fed, the American Academy of Pediatrics also suggests 5-10 mg. of iron daily. Iron helps the body create red blood cells, which can often become depleted in small children. Abide by the dosage instructions, though, because iron is fat soluble. This means that the body stores it and over-consumption will result in toxicity from too much in the system.
If Your Child Doesn't Eat...Then Supplement With...
If your child won't eat meat or foods high in iron then give them a daily multivitamin with iron. If your child won't eat dairy or foods high in calcium then give them calcium and vitamin D supplements. If you raise your child vegan or they don't consume many animal products (meat and dairy) then give them vitamin B12 and iron. If your child won't eat many fruits and vegetables then give them a children's daily multivitamin.
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