new here and I have a question :)

[Martha27]

Hi, I just joined and am glad I found this community! just what I was looking for I am currently a SAHM to 2 toddlers, a daughter who just turned 3 and a 20 month old son. I came searching this board to try and find support and ideas from other food mindful people. I guess for my first post I am looking for advice and ideas about vitamins for my kids. I have been back and forth about what, if any, vitamin supplements I should give my children. My ped. has prescribed a multivit with added flouride (our town does not have flouride in it's water) and I have heard conflicting information about what is the best thing to do. Right now I have not been giving them this vit. b/c I am hesitant to give them flouride. But if I dont give them that vit. is there another that someone might reccomend. Do they even need to take a multivit? their diet right now is pretty great. They are not picky eaters and we eat (I think) very healthy. Just not sure what to do here and could use some information on the subject.
Thanks!

[DoubleLove]

Welcome to MDC! Well, this is what we do...

As for a multivitamin, I've been happy with Rainbow Light Kid's One Multistars. It contains food based nutrients and the kids love them. Essential fats are also essential, as is vitamin D this time of year (well, I'm not sure where you live, but likely you need it. We like Nordic Naturals Cod Liver Oil in liquid (1 tsp daily), and our pediatritian recommends 1000IU of Vit D per 25 pounds of body weight for everyone this time of year. For boosting immunity and general wellbeing, we also give our kids probiotics (about 1-2 billion daily--pediatrician recommends this amount--we use chewables by NOW, but there likely is a better brand to use for kids, but not at our HFS), up to 1000mg vitamin C, and up to 25mg Zinc (from all sources). With our last illness (likely H1N1, they sailed through it easily and quickly). As for the flouride, it is important for teeth, but not for ingestion. We don't have it in our water either and we have their dentist do paint on treatments every 6 months, occasionally do brushing with flouride toothpaste, but mostly use toothpast free of flouride, sodium laurel sulfate, and parabens because they just swallow the toothpaste, not spitting it out well. I'd recommend you research the effects of ingested flouride on the thryroid. Its not good for our body, only our teeth.

HTH (hope that helps!)