Should My Child Take Supplements?

If you're a parent, you've probably wondered whether your child needs a vitamin or a supplement. Maybe they're a picky eater, or you're just not sure if they're getting all the right nutrients. It's a common concern!

We sat down with Mira Slizovsky, MD, a board-certified pediatrician, to get the answers on children and nutrition. She provides guidance on when supplements can be helpful, what to look for, and how to ensure your child’s nutritional needs are met.

Key Takeaways: Supplements and Children's Health

• Most healthy children don't need supplements. A well-balanced diet is the best source of nutrients, and most children should get all they need from food.
• Overuse can be toxic. Giving children large amounts of certain vitamins can be harmful and lead to toxic side effects.
• Always consult with a pediatrician or primary care provider before giving any supplements to your child, as they can determine if there's a real need and what is safe.

What Are Supplements?

Supplements are certain substances that we add to the diet, hoping to improve the diet, to make it perfect or to derive some other health benefits.

“They usually are vitamins, minerals, some herbs, probiotics, enzymes and some other things that parents think will give their children benefits,” said Dr. Slizovsky, who practices at Franciscan Physician Network Pediatrics West Lafayette.

Does My Child Need A Supplement?

Diet should supply a human being with all the necessary nutrients to promote proper growth. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics said healthy children eating a well-balanced diet do not need vitamin supplementation over the recommended dietary allowances (RDA).

Large amounts of some vitamins, like vitamins A, C or D, can produce toxic symptoms including nausea, rashes, headaches and sometimes more severe medical problems.

According to Dr. Slizovsky, most healthy children on a regular diet don’t need extra supplements.

Cereal, milk and orange juice often come fortified with essential vitamins like B, D, and calcium. For that reason, she said, “No, you don't have to give vitamins to a healthy child on regular diet. Unless you want to.”

Dr. Slizovsky cautions that too many vitamins can cause problems. Some are eliminated by the body, but others build up and cause side effects. Iron supplements, for instance, are often overused and can even be toxic if not prescribed for a deficiency.

It’s always important to consult with a physician.

What Are The Most Common Reasons Parents Consider Giving Supplements To Their Children?

“Parents usually have multiple concerns. I'd say the most common one is a picky eater, some people are concerned with the lifestyle. Lifestyle is very busy,” said Dr. Slizovsky. “Some people realize that they do not cook at home. They provide some processed foods from the grocery store, and they hear on the media all the time that these foods are not good. So, they are trying to improve the diet by adding some supplements.”

Supplements are sometimes necessary when children have medical conditions or special dietary needs. In these cases, pediatricians will design and recommend specific supplements to fill in nutritional gaps.

Food allergies can also play a role.

“There's always a category of people that have food allergies. When the diet is not balanced and not good because the person has to exclude many different foods and sometimes multiple foods that the person is allergic to. So that leads also to taking supplements,” Dr. Slizovsky explained.

Some parents turn to supplements for broader concerns. Some are hoping to improve cognitive or behavioral challenges, while others want to support immune or gut health. And for many, it comes down to reassurance. As Dr. Slizovsky noted, “Most of the people do it, to tell you the truth, ‘just in case,’ because they're parents and they always want the best for their children.”

Are There Certain Age Groups When Supplement Use Is More Prevalent Or Where Parents Tend To Have More Questions?

According to Dr. Slizovsky, supplement use is something seen “all across the ages.”

Infancy

Even in infancy, some parents turn to remedies like gripe water or other concoctions when they’re uncertain about their baby’s needs.

“They frequently don't understand exactly what is going on with a neonate. They think that something is wrong and something could be improved with the supplement,” she explained.

However, an infant’s dietary needs are typically met through breastfeeding and formula.

“Either breast milk with certain solid foods introduction or formula, is already balanced for us by nature or by science,” said Dr. Slizovsky. “And usually this is good enough, it's balanced.”

9-12 Months

By the end of infancy, between nine and 12 months of age, iron deficiency can sometimes become a concern. Pediatricians often test for iron definiciency and may recommend supplements if needed.

Daycare Years

As children get older and start daycare, other concerns may arise, such as picky eating, frequent illnesses and worries about immunity and behavior. Parents may see supplements as a way to support their child through these challenges.

School-Age Years.

Later, in school-age years, some families may look to supplements to help with learning, focus or mood.

Adolescence

By adolescence, many teens start managing their own health.

“They start participating in sports on different levels, and they sometimes take performance enhancers and adaptogens and some other supplements that they consider to be right for them,” said Dr. Slizovsky.

Getting Adequate Nutrients?

While supplements have their place, Dr. Slizovsky emphasizes that the foundation of a child’s health should always be a balanced diet.

“Every time the child comes for a wellness visit, we always discuss diet. It's a part of a wellness visit at any age,” she said.

For infants, this comes naturally through discussions of breastfeeding, formula choices or introducing solid foods.

As children grow, parents need to take a more active role in shaping balanced meals. Regular structure is key; three meals and two snacks daily is typical for most children.

What Foods Offer Key Nutrients That Are Essential For A Child's Growth And Development?

“Half of that plate usually should be covered by fruits and veggies,” Dr. Slizovsky explained.

The other half should include protein foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs or plant-based protein. Usually vegetable-derived proteins is not as easy to digest as animal proteins. Legumes, beans, tofu nuts are very also high in protein.

Healthy fats also play an important role, with better options found in oils, fatty fish and nuts.

“This is what is better for us than saturated fat,” she added.

Carb sources are mostly coming from fruits, veggies and grains. Dairy products supply a lot of protein and fats. Fats in dairy products mostly are saturated, so they should be consumed in moderation.

Minerals and vitamins come from all of the above sources and vitamins. “Of course, the fresher the food, the more vitamins is in it,” she said.

Dr. Slizovsky explained that some vitamins, such as vitamin C, break down easily with cooking while others are fat-soluble—like vitamins D, E, A, and K—and are better absorbed with healthy fats.

Foods to limit or avoid include:

• Processed juices
• Processed purees
• Sugary cereals

When Might We Consider Supplements For Children On Special Diets?

A well-rounded diet is the best way for children to get the nutrients they need, but there are certain situations where a pediatrician might recommend supplements to fill potential gaps and ensure proper growth and development.

Picky Eaters

“Usually, the parents consider a picky eater a child who doesn't eat what they think is a healthy diet,” she said. “But sometimes the child is still growing well, even if they aren’t eating a traditional ‘balanced meal.’”

There's a lot of things that you can do to prevent a really picky eater in your family.

“Accustoming the child to the variety of foods, textures, taste from a very early age can help,” Dr. Slizovsky said.

Exposing kids to a variety of tastes or giving them something they are interested in, to lick on, to hold on to can help promote that adventurous behavior.

Toddlers naturally pick at food throughout the day instead of eating full meals. The key is keeping a variety of healthy options available. If you don't do that, if you are concentrated on a rigid diet that you consider to be proper in the future, you might have a finicky eater.

Diets For Kids With Special Needs

Some children on the autism spectrum them have food preferences or sensory problems.

“Autistic behavior sometimes manifests itself for the first time with this ‘peaky eater’ behavior,” said Dr. Slizovsky. “So that should be assessed, diagnosed and addressed correctly with the therapy.”

Teens

When a child becomes an adolescent, they are more independent with their diet choices throughout the day.

“At that time, you really have to sit down and discuss what are the nutrients they need,” she said.

Special Diets

For families with stricter diets, vegetarian, vegan or trending approaches like carnivore or paleo, nutrition needs to be managed properly. But the younger the child and the more limited the diet, the more careful parents need to be. Sometimes lab work is needed to check for vitamin or protein deficiencies.

Are Probiotics Safe And Effective?

Probiotics could be beneficial, but Dr. Slizovsky stresses that research is still ongoing.

“There is no convincing evidence, 100% evidence yet, and there is no recommendation how much exactly of what probiotic to buy and to give to the child,” she said.

Quality is also a concern. Probiotics are live organisms, and it’s hard to know whether store-bought versions are still effective are sitting on the shelf for too long. Yogurt and other probiotic foods can help, but only if chosen carefully, and you should avoid sugary types that may cancel out the health benefits.

Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Benefit Kids?

Dr. Slizovsky says Omega -3 fatty acids are very beneficial for our body.

“We must have them. Now, the supplement is another story again. Most of the children, again, do not need supplements outside of infancy,” she said. “In the infancy, a lot of formulas have special fatty acids, which are added to promote brain development and eyesight development.”

For older kids, omega-3s might improve mood or behavior of the child, but they aren’t a quick fix for conditions like ADHD or depression according to Dr. Slizovsky.

What Should Parents Look Out For When Buying Supplements?

If you are considering buying supplements for yourself or your child, Dr. Slizovsky urges caution.

“There is really no tight regulation in our country… nobody specifically tested the bottle that you are getting from the pharmacy and what is inside that bottle not always, and not necessarily is what the company claims it to be,” she said.

Her advice:

• Only buy from reputable retailers. “When you go to CVS and you are buying some supplement there, it is probably much safer than you buy it on TikTok,” she said.
• Look for third-party testing and certifications.
• Read labels carefully. Avoid vague “proprietary blends” and supplements with too many ingredients.
• Always show your pediatrician both the active and inactive ingredients before giving supplements to your child.

What About Interactions Between Supplements And Prescription Medications?

Supplements often include herbs or animal extracts that may interfere with prescription drugs. Talk to your doctor before beginning supplements for your child.

“All you have to do, you have to tell your physician, ‘Hey, I'm going to try this or that, what do you think,’” Dr. Slizovsky said, “and it might take your provider some time to research, to look at it and give you the report.”

Key Takeaways

Dr. Slizovsky leaves parents with the following takeaways:

• Food first. Most healthy children on a regular diet don’t need supplements.
• Don’t DIY. “Never do supplements in the privacy of your home, secretly. Always tell your provider what you're doing.”
• Be cautious. Over-supplementing can be harmful.
• Choose wisely. Stick with reputable retailers, read labels carefully, and avoid trendy or unregulated products.
• When in doubt, ask. Pediatricians have access to research and professional resources parents may not.