Does Your Child Need a Dietary Supplement?

You may be surprised to learn that children are now taking more dietary supplements – a recent report found that about a third of kids may be taking these products.

Supplements can run the gamut from multivitamins to probiotics and herbs like St. John’s wort. But your child likely doesn’t need a supplement – a healthy, varied diet should provide all the vitamins and minerals your child needs.

If your child has a limited diet, or you’re concerned about your child getting the necessary nutrients, talk with your pediatrician about whether a multivitamin is a good idea.

Some children may benefit from supplementation – for example, some infants may need vitamin D or iron supplementation. But because supplements can cause side effects in children or interact with other medications, talk with your child’s pediatrician about risks and benefits before you make this decision.