Vitamins and Minerals

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD NUTRITION

Children of all ages require good nutrition for growth, strong bones, energy and good health. Vitamins and minerals play an important role in helping your child grow up to be as strong and healthy as possible.

DO MY CHILDREN NEED EXTRA VITAMINS OR MINERALS?

If your children eat well there is a good chance that they are getting enough vitamins and minerals in their diet. Children who have a poor diet, or who have liver disease or other chronic diseases, may need a vitamin supplement as recommended by your doctor.

Children who have been born prematurely and are breastfed may need a supplement that includes Vitamin D, especially if they don't get out in the sunshine very often.

Children who do not have fluoride in their water may need to supplement with a fluoride tablet or rinse. Ask your doctor or pediatrician about your children's needs!

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY CHILDREN ARE GETTING ENOUGH VITAMINS AND MINERALS?

Health Canada lists Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs), which are healthy daily intakes of vitamins according ot age groups. Following are some of the more important vitamin and mineral RDAs for infants and children.

For a complete outline of RDAs and commonly asked questions about vitamin content in foods you can logon to the Health Canada Website at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/food-aliment and click on the heading "Dietary Reference Intakes'.

CHOOSING A VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENT FOR YOUR CHILD

If you need to give your child a vitamin or mineral supplement, you should have your Pharmassist pharmacist help you choose a product that will give your child the right strength and combination of nutrients.

Make it fun for your child! If there is a brand available that your child recognizes and wants to take, your life will be easier! Your child needs to know that vitamins are not candy, but are important medicine. You might want to make up a game or chart that allows the child to choose which  colour or vitamin character will be taken on a certain day.

INFANT NUTRITION

Percentage-wise, infants have greater nutrition needs for their weight than do adults. They need nutrients for maintenance, growth and development. Energy and protein requirements are based on your child's age, gender and body weight:

Breast milk or infant formula provides all the nourishment a baby needs for the first few months of life. At 6 months, sold foods should be added to meet your growing baby's nutritional needs.

The Nutrition Committee of the Canadian Pediatric Society recommends breastfeeding until your baby is at least 9 - 12 months of age. A commercial formula should replace breast milk if you stop breastfeeding before your baby is 6 months old. Always consult your doctor before making any changes.