supplement for mainly veggie toddler?

[nj's_mom]

Since I'm veggie (soon to be veg*n, hopefully) and most of our meals are meat-free, I am wondering if there's the need for a B12 supplement for DD? She is just two. She is still nursing a bunch- if I take a B12 supplement, is that enough?

[Baby_Cakes]

We supplement DD who is also 2. I believe I read that though it passes through breastmilk, it just isn't enough.

These are the brand of supplements we give her.

We give both the multi and the D/Calcium combo. DD nurses still but only once a day, and eats like a typical toddler so just to make sure she's ok, we supplement. Once we can rely on her to eat a little better we'll step back. But I mean, even *I* supplement w/b12. It's not something I like to fool around with, personally.

[catnip]

In my opinion, everyone should take a b-12 supplement, omni or veg.

[AddysMom]

I agree with Catnip

[katroshka]

I've never given my kids supplements, they've been vegan since they were in utero (they are 8 & 9 now), and we've all had numerous blood tests to check for B12 deficiency (just to be sure)- we've never had it. In fact, all of our levels for the nutrients they test for are always smack dab in the middle of the normal range. We do consume fortified soymilk (the kids more than me), and eat a lot of nutritional yeast. We also drink kombucha fairly regularly.

If you feel like you need a supplement then go for it, but it's not a given that you need it. If you are worried about it I would ask for a blood test at your pediatrician's.

[catnip]

Our pediatrician recommends preventative supplementation rather than going through the hassle of testing. His feeling is that a moderate supplement on top of whatever one is consuming in foods isn't going to hurt, and nobody likes getting stuck with a needle. I'd rather give my daughter a chewable b12 once a week than go through a blood test.