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Vitamins for babies and children

According to medical sources, babies and children do not need supplemental vitamins if they are healthy, eating a balanced diet, and are not suffering from an illness or medical condition such as AIDS, a genetic disorder, or another type of disability.

Various medical conditions may warrant a particular vitamin and your pediatrician is your best source for advice in this area.

The overuse of vitamins when they are not necessary can actually be detrimental to health rather than beneficial. Vitamins should be treated as medications. An adult should always administer them even if you feel your child is responsible. They should always be kept out of the reach of children.

According to sources at www.laboroflove.com and www.wholesomefood.com, full term babies don't usually need vitamins during their first year, whether they are breast or bottle fed. Human breast milk contains all the vitamins necessary for the newborn, as does infant formula.

A few exceptions exist for Vitamin D; B12; A,D, & C; and Iron. If the mother or infant is not receiving enough sunlight there may be a need for Vitamin D. If the mother is a vegan and is breastfeeding, she will need B12 supplementation. B12 is usually only available in eggs, meat, fish, and milk. If she requires her infant to also be vegan, the child will also need B12 supplements.

Due to the erratic diets of toddlers they may need multi-vitamins, but they may be getting enough vitamins, since children need only small amounts of vitamins.

Babies are born with enough iron stored in their body until they are 4 to 6 months old. Once they start eating solid food, they will usually get enough iron in fortified cereals and other foods.

Their are cautions to taking vitamins and these cautions are especially important for infants and children

* According to research at the Copenhagen University in Denmark, certain vitamins such as A and E actually shorten our lives rather than extend them.

* Excessive amounts of A, D, and E can be harmful to the body.

* Extremely large amounts of Vitamin C can cause damage to the kidney and urinary tract.

* Large amounts of Vitamin A are associated with birth defects www.sjmercymedicalgroup.org/bo dy.cfm?id=70

* According to Jay Hoecker, M.D. with the Mayo Clinic, Vitamin D is stored in the body and taking too much over a period of time can cause poisoning and even death. All vitamins should be given at the recommendation of a doctor.

* There is no evidence that megadoses of vitamins can reduce ADHD symptoms. www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd /DS00275/Dsection=7

* According to information at www.organicconsumers.org/organ ic/vitamin112105.cfm, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors and other additives are used in vitamins as fillers and enhancements that can actually make you sick. It is best not to buy children's vitamins manufactured by large pharmaceutical companies because they are not in it for the health benefits but for the profits.

There are a few good natural vitamin companies that make natural and/or organic vitamins for children that do not contain additives, or other unnatural substances. They are made from natural products. However they may not be approved by FDA, but may be approved as certified organic or natural. Natural usually means they are made with natural ingredients rather than synthetic ingredients.

Here is a list:

* Nature's Plus (800-645-9500)

* Now Foods (888-669-3663)

* Nature's Way

* New Chapter

* Garden of Life

To see a good list of healthy vitamins for babies and children in the various age groups go to www.herbalremedies.com/gennuts up.html.

For good natural vitamin sources go to Nature's Way at www.naturesway.com and use their store locator. These health food stores will usually have children's natural vitamins and can also give you good information on what vitamin is best for your child.

Learn more about this author, Colette Georgii.
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