Children's vitamins - pls help!

[jackie0]

Hi there, I give my 2-1/2 yr old Hallibourne's Omega-fish-oil vitamins everyday, as well as Basetts soft and chewy orange tablets (which contains Vitamins A,C,D and E). The problem is that the Omage-fish-oil tablets are supposed to be for age 3 and above (2 tablets recommended on the pack), same goes for the Bassetts vitamins - age 3+ on the pack (one tablet a day recommended). I give him one tablet of the Omega-fish-oil and one tablet of the Bassetts Vitamin A,C,D,E. But theOmega-fish-oil also contains the recommended daily allowance of Vitamins A,C,D and E. I'm worried that this in effect could mean I'm giving him 1-1/2 of the daily recommendation of A,C,D and E. Plus he's not 3 yrs yet (he's 2-1/2).

I tried giving him one tablet of the Ommega -fish-oil and half-a-tablet of the Bassetts one, but he always refuses the half-tablet and wants a whole one. Does anyone know if this is bad for him? Can you advise pls on any past experiences with Omega-fish-oil given to kids and under 3's.

Thanks in advance and sorry its so long! Really confused.

[jmahdavi]

Hi Jackie

you shouldnt reall have any problems giving these to your son. If you are concerned then you could speak to a registered nutritionist or on of the people here:

http://www.ion.ac.uk/directory.htm

This is an Insstitue set up by world renound Nutritional Researcher and Therapist Patrick Holford.

With regards to Omega Fish Oils, these have been proven to help with many ailments and even ADHD more informaiton can be found at:

http://www.mentalhealthproject.com/

[jmahdavi]

PS: RDA means exactly that, reccomended. They have now changed this to Guidance. Vitamins and minerals are best found in a healthy diet which is balanced and includes fresh fruit and vegetables, preferably organic varieties. This is not always possible with children but it can be done by other methods, mashed sweet potatoe for example, or sweet potatoe wedges are just two ideas.

[chiswickk]

i believe in getting nutrients from good food. there is such a wide variety of good, wholesome, nutritous food out there.
try and introduce the child to new foods by taking them food shopping with you. let them be around when preparing food, they are always curious and would think it's fun to eat what they help prepare.

if you must give the child suppliments, maybe you should try giving him the liquid form. i have seen my my neice taking liquid cod liver oil. it comes in an orange flavor and she loves it and ask everyday for it.

[jmahdavi]

If you decide to give him a liquid form of Omega 3/6 oils the best one to use is the Eye-q brand. It is often on 3 for 2 at a well known high street store. Not sure if we can name them or not, but you could wear them on your feet.

[tigilou]

Hi i give my dd the same as you but boots do there own brand for children 6mnths to 3 years it much cheaper as well hope this helped

[tigilou]

Forgot to say she has hers in the medicen i put it in her juice then she cant taste it but she its the bassetts sweet things

[jackie0]

Thank you all for your advice. I'll definitely try to give as much natural supplements as I can.

Thanks again for your help.

[Hellion]

I'd also recommend going to your local healthfood store as seven seas. halliborange etc are not always the best source and are usually more expensive. I buy my son (age 8 but has been having them for years) Dinovits shaped like Dinosaurs and contain vits and minerals. He also just has EFA which is Essential Fatty Acids which are Omega 3,6 and 9 all of which are essential. Obviously the best way to get vits and minerals is naturally through diet but lets face it it can be very hard to get young children to eat a varied diet. I do try, but just to make sure he has the vits which he loves.

However please, please do not exceed recommended dose excess vits and minerals can be harmful. Having said that unless your child is particularly small giving the minimum dose at 2 1/2 will not cause a problem.

[jackie0]

Thanks for this. No he's not small. Its just the fact that I was giving both vitamins and Omega 3 that worried me. Thanks again.