Discussion Forums > Diet, Nutrition and Supplements

Supplements for a toddler - PLS HELP

(1/3) > >>

Cari:

Hello All,

I've been doing a bit more research and I have to admit that I'm behind with providing my little one with the proper supplements.  I was nursing him until last month and hoping he was receiving the best possible nutrients from me.  Now, upon doing more and more research - I realize I should've have started him on a lot more a long time ago.  :frustrated

I have found a lot of information and I want to make sure we are on the right track now.  I'm really kicking myself for not starting on these things earlier and doing more research than I have been doing in the past year.  If I did this - i wouldn't be so uneducated about so many things that would be benefiting my little one by now.   :wah I don't know why but in a way I've almost tried to pretend all will be okay and I KNOW that unless i'm proactive I'm not being a good mother at all!

I would appreciate any guidance you have on the following.  If you currently have any trusted resources of where to purchase these items, please let me know.

Also, if you have any suggestions on how to administer these supplements to a very fussy 16 month old that won't drink anything but water or milk...that would be very very helpful. Most importantly I want to ensure that it is okay for him to have all of this all together.  Also, any other reccommendations of supplements?  THANKS THANKS THANKS in ADVANCE!!!

FOLIC ACID DROPS – Any trusted sites to order this from? An appropriate dose at this age?

OSTEOCARE – any recommendations on dosage and administration?  I’ve seen in online and it comes in a Liquid form.  Do you have any trusted sites or stores to purchase from?

WHEAT GRASS SUPERSHOT – I saw a link from Andy http://sproutman.com/wheatgrass-products/dr-wheatgrass-super-shots?cPath=11&zenid=f141361f1efe9440dcd9e487fbb05011 in a previous post.  How much of this can I give to my son?  Can I mix it into water? 

IP6  / Vitamin E – I have Andy’s info on this – thank you 

GREEN TEA & GREEN TEA EXTRACT – can the extract be dropped into his water? 

CURCUMIN – we use this in a lot of our food.  Is this sufficient?

 
O

Sharmin:
Charishma,

My friend, first and foremost - you are an excellent mom.  Secondly, it is not too late.  In fact I didn't start lil A on supplements until he was 5 years old so you are still early :) 

I will look over your list and respond soon. 

Sharmin  :hugfriend :hugfriend 
Ari is very luck to have you.  He is going to live a loooooooong and healthy life - likely longer and healthier than other children his age who play video games and eat potato chips all day. 

Cari:
 :bighug

Thank you sharni.  I've been a bit concerned about Ari and his eating habits.  I try really really hard to ensure that he gets his veggies and fruits for proper proportions of vitamins but it is difficult!  Especially when family gets upset at me for not giving him doritos or sweets! I'm trying to form healthy habits and I get told there is no harm in them!  :hissyfit

He HATES fruits...and spits them right out.  I still give him pureed fruit packs to get him enough vitamin C.  As far as veggies - i try to take all the meals I make him and hide EXTRA veggies in them! 

He has been very constipated lately too....does this happen with excess iron in your body?

Another thing I wanted to ask  - is it okay to feed him things like  cream of wheat and grits - these items have about 45% of the daily intake of Iron.  Am I harming him by giving him these foods? 

Andy Battaglia:
Hi Carisma,

If you can find cereals not fortified with iron, it would be better, but that may be difficult. I would suggest looking at it in the context of his entire diet. If he gets a lot of iron rich foods, you may want to avoid the cereals with iron. If not, it's OK to give him the cereals. One thing to remember is that iron from meat is absorbed much more readily than plant iron, so if he doesn't eat a lot of meat, his iron absorption is probably not too high.

Wheatgrass shots are safe and they have a slightly sweet taste. He may take it willingly, but if not, yes you can mix it in other things. One half cap full is the daily dose for his age. I have to start taking them again myself. I can tell the difference in my energy level when I stop. I would be hesitant to give him green tea extract this young unless you can find it without caffeine. I would say start at 2 years if it contains caffeine. Curcumin in food is the best way to use it, as is the case with many spices commonly used in Indian cooking. Ginger is another spice with great health properties. Liquid folic acid is commonly used and most brands are reliable. I would also suggest looking for a kids vitamin with greens added, as this can make up for some of what he should be getting from veggies. One of the moms should be able to tell you which of the Osteocare products is best for thal kids.

Sharmin:
Carisma,

Organic cereals are usually not fortified with iron.

We give lil A organic cereals.  Also, Children's
Phytoplankton drops are tasteless and can be
added to other drinks.  Be sure to give him vitamin
D and a copper/zinc formula.  It helps with growth.
My son has suddenly sprouted since I increased
These supplements in his diet.  He grew 4cm in
4 months.  

U can also try General Mills Kids Greens+ to get him to have
more vege extracts as well.  

I will post more as it comes to me.  I really hope
You can see Dr Vichinski someday as he and
His staff help so much with all this.  They measure
Every possible vitamin and mineral level in his body
Every year.

Being in touch with a comprehensive center has
changed lil As care for the better.  In fact our
entire family is looked after in Oakland as we are
All affected by his thalassemia.

Sharmin

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page