how do you get supplements into your kids?

[Rose-Roget]

I also posted this in Health and Healing, but I figured people here might also have experience/knowledge.

My son has some attention difficulties and some mild-moderate SPD. I have read in several places about several supplements to help. Over the summer I started ds (6) on extra magnesium and some B-complex vitamins. The store I bought the magnesium no longer carries it alone. I've also read about calcium and zinc with the magnesium.

I found capsules of calcium, magnesium, and zinc combo and 1/2 the serving would equal what I calculated for the amount he would need, so I bought them. They are too big for him to take, though, so I was planning on mixing the powder into applesauce like I did with the straight magnesium.

They do not mix into the applesauce or any liquid I can find without clumping and he complains of an awful taste. (I tasted - the applesauce tasted really bitter, so we tried and failed to doctor it up; the chocolate almond milk tasted okay, but had an icky texture because of the clumps and most of the powder remained on the sides when he drank it.) I've tried smoothies, but he won't drink them consistently. I tried dissolving the powder in a little warm water with the idea of mixing them more easily into something else - they will not mix (maybe I should have known that).

Are there tricks I haven't tried to get these supplements into him? I did not see a kids' version of this combination.

[Emmeline II]

See what you can find in liquid form. When I gave ds magnesium, it was a liquid I mixed into his OJ. Also, it can be difficult to find particular supplements in stores; I buy sodium ascorbate online now.

[askew]

I've always used applesauce. Look for liquids I guess. I used to give my dd a really bitter supplement that did not mix in anything- I ended up putting it on a spoon with agave nectar. She took it that way- but she was really young, too young to really complain.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by askew

I've always used applesauce. Look for liquids I guess. I used to give my dd a really bitter supplement that did not mix in anything- I ended up putting it on a spoon with agave nectar.

Target has this, along with other honeys.

[Rose-Roget]

The agave is a good idea. Would be really easy to try, at least.

I'll keep looking for other forms of the supps.

[beachcomber]

DD takes some capsule supplements. I literally open the capsule onto a spoon and then carefully mix it with a drop of honey. She gobbles this up. It's a PITA but worth the effort.

[NataliaI]

When I gave supplements, I too mixed on a teaspoon with honey.

In general, I give them cell salts which are pleasant tasting and dissolve instantly in the mouth. These help moderate moods.

[RiverTam]

For that combo, I would substitute a Carnation Instant Breakfast milk.

[Rose-Roget]

Originally Posted by RiverTam

For that combo, I would substitute a Carnation Instant Breakfast milk.

You mean instead of the supplements?

[RiverTam]

Originally Posted by Rose-Roget

You mean instead of the supplements?

Yes, if the Carnation Instant Breakfast has roughly the same amount of stuff as the supplement dosage you are giving or if you can get the same amount from a couple of servings. Carnation Instant Breakfast has calcium, magnesium, and zinc in it. So does Ovaltine. My kids like them both.

[Rose-Roget]

I was thinking about this as I drank a Slim Fast today and thought that the Carnation would also have a boost of protein in it for him. Might be useful in the mornings. I've heard a lot about the minerals needing to be chelated to really do their jobs effectively. But if I can't get them in him, chelated or not, they can't even come close.

[EdnaMarie]

Where are you getting the supplements? What dosage are you looking at? Have you looked at Vitacost.com for sweet chewables? They have at least four brands of sweet vitamins for mag-calc-zinc. THey also have multis with lots of Bs:

http://www.vitacost.com/Natures-Plus...sorted-Flavors

This has B1, B2, B6, B12, and Folic Acid (100%). It does have zinc but only 20%. You could find one with less zinc.