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The health and wellness of my children a definite priority in my life. I am always trying to find the best ways to help their bodies stay healthy and function well. Sometimes I have to get creative because kids can be averse to things like eating vegetables every day, or eating more than their favorite vegetable. Over the last few years as a mom, I have found our current line up at supplements for kids. Below are ones that I keep on hand and use when I can convince my kids to take them, or when we need them in specific situations.
I will state that none of these are taken daily. Some days the boys don’t want them, or I forget them. I don’t force them on them if they aren’t feeling it. My thought process is that if they at least get it from time to time, or as needed, then that’s better than nothing. And some of these I want for more temporary reasons, so I don’t want the kids to burn out on them by using them daily.
1. SmartyPants Multivitamin (Gummy)
I love SmartyPants
Once my boys were old enough for gummies, I switched them to SmartyPants as well. My only problem is that they see them as yummy gummy snacks and I have to turn them away from pointing at the vitamin cabinet all day asking for more.
What’s included:
- Omega-3’s for aiding brain development
- Vitamin D3 for boosting immunity
- Vitamin K1 and K2 for bone health
- B12 for energy support
- Methylfolate to aid red blood cell production.
What’s NOT included:
- Synthetic colors
- Artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- GMOs
- Soy
- Gluten
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Dairy
I love all these things and more. Getting our nutrients from food is always my main priority, but I love having a back up to cover any gaps. I simply use the regular kids version for both of my boys and give the toddler a smaller dosage.
They now even have an infant liquid version, and I’m so excited about it! I haven’t tried it, but if we have any more kids, I would definitely keep it on hand.
2. Magnesium (Lotion, Gummies, and Powder)
I have already raved about my love of magnesium before (for mamas, colds, and detox baths), but it will always be on any supplement list of mine. All my years of research have made me a firm believer that many of us are very low on magnesium. I have zero problem giving my children magnesium and use it for varying purposes.
Growing Pains
My oldest started having growing pains around 2-3 years of age. He would wake up crying and writhing. He hated all medication, so he would not take pain meds. I would massage his legs and feet for what seemed like forever to me until he finally got comfortable enough that he would fall asleep. Usually we would start the process over every 2 hours.
I had used magnesium for RLS for years, so I knew magnesium would help. I bought some magnesium lotion and we started using it nightly before bed. The growing pains decreased. And when they did happen, he usually just asked for lotion when I came into his room at night. I would massage the lotion into his legs, and then he usually sleeps the rest of the night.
My youngest has started getting growing pains as well and I have begun using the lotion as well. When I know they’ve had a big day full of being on their feet, I start their night with an epsom salt (magnesium) bath and/or a good slathering of magnesium lotion.
Keeping Constipation at Bay
My now 5 year old had a difficult time going #2 on the potty when we potty trained. Eventually I resorted to giving him an iPad to play while going because he needed to relax to actually go. He has since grown out of that and can go without an iPad, but he still has a tendency to hold it and not go very often. It’s easy to see the discomfort it causes him. No amount of explaining would make him go more. So I brought in the big guns. I first started with magnesium gummies. It worked for a time, but as I said above, sometimes they just stop liking a certain vitamin.
Eventually I switched to CALM magnesium supplement powder. I bought some of the orange flavor and I just mix it in with watered down juice. The juice helps offset the sour taste. The dosage for adults is 3 tsp, but I only give my boys about ¼-½ tsp based on the kids dosage in their gummies. They actually like it and ask for their “medicine juice.” My 5 year old likes to scoop out the powder and mix it himself.
Again, we don’t take it every day, but at least a few times a week, and especially if anyone seems to be backed up for any reason. If for any reason either of them start going A LOT, or things start getting too loose, I simply make a note to not take that for a few days.
Now my 5 year old goes much more regularly, and easily. It’s reduced stress in our family, for sure.
3. Elderberry (Gummy, DIY Recipe)
I keep some form of elderberry on hand at least all Winter. Any time I feel like ANYONE in the house is coming down with something, we all start loading up on it for an added boost to our immune system. It’s also a great thing to take while traveling to boost the immune system against new germs. It’s my go-to support vitamin.
4. Child Life Cod Liver Oil (Liquid)
This is another supplement I keep on hand in the fridge. I use it with their “medicine juice” with the magnesium powder. My 5 year old asks for it and pours it himself.
Cod liver oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D. It aids proper brain development, strengthens the immune system, proven to help treat upper respiratory tract infections, and helps maintain good eye health.
I give it to the boys maybe 2-3 times a week at most. I also like to give it to them when they have a fever to help support their fighting bodies.
5. Homemade Yogurt
I’m a huge fan of probiotics, and I’m a huge fan of getting most, if not all, of your nutrients through food. My kids never really drank cows milk. Instead, I made them yogurt drinks. I quickly realized that store-bought, flavored yogurt went right through them, so I started making it.
I now make my own yogurt, from time to time, not consistently. I strain it down, mix it with some honey and vanilla extract, and then often add water to create a drink consistency. The boys love it. They will ask for it. Sometimes we use it as the “medicine juice.” They also enjoy eating it as yogurt. They will eat it plain or sprinkled with some granola or nuts.
This simple food helps balance their gut with probiotics. They function better, can fight off sickness better, and they poop better. Parenthood has A LOT to do with poop. A LOT.
6. Green Smoothies
Another go-to “power food” in our house is smoothies. Some days its too hot to cook, or I’m too lazy to cook, or the boys just want smoothies. I’ve been giving them green smoothies since they were babies. Berries, water/milk/yogurt for liquid, bananas or dates for sweetness, and a heaping handful of spinach for some greens. Spinach is the easiest because it has a mild flavor that can easily be masked by other flavors. Romaine has a kind of nutty flavor, and kale is SUPER strong. I sometimes add in flax seed for chia seeds as well. Just watch out, if the smoothie sits for long it can thicken up fast with either of those add-ins!
We drink them most of the time, but I also freeze leftovers as “popsicles” in our popsicle molds. I’ve also heard of people serving them in bowls and eating them with spoons like a cold soup. I, personally, prefer to just drink them!
So there you have our favorite supplements for kids!
What are your favorite supplements for kids?
DISCLAIMER: Simply Holly Jo and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on Simply Holly Jo is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.
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