Vitamins are substances without which health and the full existence of the body are impossible. They are involved in many biological processes. Not all vitamins are produced in the body; most of them must be supplied daily from the outside with food. This is especially important during the growth and development of the child. From about the age of 2-3 years, vitamins from food may not be enough. This is due to the inferiority of many foods and the selectivity in food in some babies. Therefore, often modern children lack substances that are responsible for the work of many organs and systems and for maintaining the body's defenses. To protect the child from illness and stress, doctors often recommend giving children immunity vitamins from the age of one. Many multivitamin preparations are now available. Before offering their child, you need to understand their features.
Why are vitamins for immunity for children from a year old
Immunity is a protective mechanism that protects the body from diseases and infections. Such protection is formed in the child even in the womb, his body accumulates a supply of vitamins, and immunoglobulins are produced. Therefore, in the first year of life, the child is usually protected by strong immunity, especially if the mother breast-feeds him. But after a year, a decrease in immune defense and a lack of essential vitamins are increasingly observed. This is especially noticeable in 2-3 years, when the sphere of communication of the baby expands, many children begin to attend preschool institutions. Parents notice that the child begins to get sick more, quickly gets tired. Doctors often find in these babies a lack of essential vitamins. This condition is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the child is often sick and carries infections especially hard;
- he is lethargic, quickly tired;
- there is a lag in physical and mental development;
- frequent allergic reactions occur;
- the child eats poorly, refuses certain foods;
- he is annoyed, sleeps poorly;
- he has a violation of the digestive system.
It is recommended to take vitamins if the child has recently suffered a viral or inflammatory disease, is subjected to increased physical, mental or mental stress. Often, such drugs are prescribed to all children during influenza epidemics and in areas with poor environmental conditions.
Many parents do not understand the importance of supplementation with vitamins for immunity for children from 2 years old. It seems to them that the child receives everything they need with food. But in reality, modern food products cannot provide a growing body with important trace elements. In addition, due to the abundance of stress and a sedentary lifestyle of most children, they do not produce vitamins in their body that should be synthesized. Hypovitaminosis can also be observed in chronic endocrine diseases, taking certain medications, the absence of a daily regimen, and living in an environmentally disadvantaged area.
How to give your child vitamins
The fact that the child has a lack of vitamins or a decrease in immunity, parents can understand for themselves according to his condition and behavior. But it is not recommended to start giving children from 2 years of age vitamins for immunity on their own, it is imperative to consult a doctor. It is also important to consider possible contraindications and side effects of the selected drug. You can not take such drugs with individual intolerance, some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Those drugs that have a sweet taste are contraindicated in diabetes. You can also not take several vitamin complexes, as this can lead to an overdose.
Many of the vitamin preparations can cause side effects. Therefore, in the first days of taking these funds, it is not advisable to give the child any new products, you need to carefully monitor his condition. If the baby has an itch, a rash on the skin, red cheeks, it is better to refuse to take these vitamins.
It is best for children from one year to give vitamins that strengthen the immune system in courses. It is recommended to do this in spring and autumn, when the immune system is especially vulnerable and the risk of contracting viral diseases increases. You can not drink vitamins for a long time, this can lead to an overdose. Usually a course of 2 to 4 weeks is prescribed, then you must definitely take a break of 2-3 months. In addition to taking vitamin preparations, you need to strengthen the child’s immunity in other ways: proper nutrition, hardening, exercise.
All vitamin preparations are taken strictly according to the instructions. An overdose should not be allowed, because you need to make sure that the child does not eat attractive chewable tablets or drink delicious syrup itself. Usually, any form of vitamins is taken once a day, preferably in the morning during breakfast.
What should be included in their composition
Usually, a doctor prescribes vitamin preparations for children. But parents also need to know what composition the funds that they give the child should have. Vitamins are fat soluble and water soluble. The first is vitamins D, E, A and K can accumulate in the body. Their lack is rarely observed, because funds containing them can be taken only according to strict indications. Typically, immunity is reduced due to a lack of water-soluble vitamins. That they must be part of such drugs. It is advisable to give the child such products that contain all the necessary vitamins.
- Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is the most important vitamin for immunity. It is he who helps the body withstand colds and viral diseases. Its additional intake is also necessary for pallor of the skin, slow healing of wounds, bleeding gums.
- Vitamin A is mainly needed to strengthen the baby's vision and improve the health of his skin. But its great importance for increasing the protective forces of the respiratory system. It also helps to resist viral diseases.
- Vitamin B 1 , or thiamine, is important for the regulation of protein metabolism. A child’s bad mood, loss of appetite, and rapid fatigue can testify to its lack.
- In 2 , or riboflavin, is necessary to maintain normal hemoglobin levels, as it is involved in the production of red blood cells. Its additional intake is required, if the child has ulcers on the mucous membrane, cracks in the corners of the mouth.
- At 6 , or pyridoxine, plays an important role in the functioning of the nervous system. In addition, it is needed to produce antibodies that help fight infection.
- Pantothenic acid is necessary for the normal course of metabolic processes.
- Vitamin E has anti-inflammatory properties and helps the body cope with the infection, as it protects the immune cells from destruction.
- Vitamin PP normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Some minerals are also important for immunity. This is primarily zinc, which is involved in the regeneration processes and increases the defenses, as well as the iron necessary for the production of hemoglobin. Need magnesium, calcium, selenium, iodine. In addition, many modern vitamins for immunity for children 5 years of age and older may contain other useful components. Most often these are plant extracts: dogrose, spirulina algae, blueberries. Such preparations may also contain lactose, oligosaccharides to normalize the intestinal microflora, omega-3 fatty acids to improve the functioning of the nervous system and other useful components.
What are the vitamins for children
If parents are convinced that it is important to give vitamins for immunity to children from one year old, the most important problem for them is to choose the right drug. Now in pharmacies there are many multivitamin preparations for children of any age. All of them have different composition and dosage of the main components. Therefore, different drugs can have their contraindications and side effects. It should also be borne in mind that children rarely have a deficiency of all vitamins, usually only an additional intake of some of them is necessary. And an overdose can be as dangerous to health as vitamin deficiency. Therefore, the first rule that parents should remember: giving vitamins for immunity to children from 1 year old is possible only as directed by a doctor.
There are different drugs in composition, form of release, price category. Parents need to consider this. When choosing vitamins for immunity for children from a year you need to pay attention to well-known brands that have established themselves well. Usually they contain natural, healthy components and are carefully calibrated in composition and dosage. These are Alphabet, Complivit, Supradin, Pikovit, Multi Tabs and many other drugs of foreign or domestic manufacturers. Paying attention to the price is the last thing, not necessarily the most expensive drugs will be better.
The form of release of vitamins can be different. Adults are better known for such drugs in tablets or capsules. But most often vitamins for immunity for a child of 1.5 years are available in other forms. It can be drops or syrup, which are easier to take and dose for babies. Recently, a thick gel with different fruit flavors has also begun to be produced. Such drugs are also accepted with pleasure by children of any age. Vitamins for immunity for children 6 years and older are available in the form of lozenges or chewable tablets. Marmalade figures, for example, the drug VitaMishki, are especially loved by kids. You can also buy such preparations in soluble effervescent tablets for the preparation of a drink.
But most of all the differences in vitamins for immunity for children from 3 years old in their composition. There are monocomponent preparations, in which there is one vitamin, for example, ascorbic acid or vitamin D. But multicomponent agents, or multivitamins, are more popular. Usually they contain 2-10 different vitamins. In addition, they may also contain essential minerals. But many modern multivitamins also contain dyes, flavors and flavor enhancers. This is done so that children take them with great pleasure. But such substances often cause allergic reactions, which must be considered when buying.
Best drugs
Now on the vitamin market there are many different companies that produce vitamins. Some of them have been popular for many years, others have only recently appeared on sale. Preference should be given to those who have established themselves as positive reviews of consumers and children's doctors. Such companies usually produce drugs in accordance with the age of the child, since the dosage of vitamins depends on this. Often they also differ in purpose, for example, vitamins are sold for immunity or for vision. This also needs to be considered when buying, since they have a different composition.
Parents also need to know that vitamins for immunity are not needed for children up to a year old, since the child’s defenses are received from the mother. Sometimes at this age it is recommended to take medications for the prevention of rickets containing vitamin D: Vigantol or Aquadetrim. But for children from 3 years old vitamins for immunity are already needed. Parents should pay attention to such drugs:
- Multi Tabs.
- "Pikovit."
- "Alphabet".
- "Vitrum".
- "Supradin."
- "Complies."
- "VitaMishki."
- "SanaSol."
"Pikovit"
These are some of the best vitamins for immunity. Children from 4 years old are prescribed them very often. They are available in different forms - in tablets, lozenges for lozenges or syrup, and are intended for different age groups up to 14 years. Contain 9 vitamins, the most necessary for the normal growth and development of the child and maintaining his immunity. The disadvantages include the lack of minerals, which are also important. But the complex is still popular because of its good tolerance and low price - packing a pill for a monthly course costs about 160 rubles.
The advantage of the drug "Pikovit" is that these vitamins are suitable for immunity for children 10 years old, 4 years old or 14 years old, you just need to give them in different dosages. This is very convenient if the family has several children. In addition, you can pay attention to other forms of release of these vitamins: Pikovit Plus, Pikovit Complex, Pikovit Prebiotik, Pikovit D, and Pikovit Forte. But the choice of the drug must be discussed with the doctor.
Multi Tabs
The drug "Multi Tabs Immuno Kids" is a drug designed specifically to strengthen children's immunity. This is a complex product containing, in addition to vitamins and minerals, probiotic and lactobacillus. Therefore, the drug, in addition to increasing the body's defenses, helps to normalize the digestive system, and also provides the body with all the necessary nutrients. Vitamins included in its composition help to resist colds, strengthen the body's defenses, thereby helping it to resist infections. The advantages of the drug include the absence of sugar, dyes and flavorings in its composition. This is one of the best vitamins for immunity for children from 7 years.
If you need to strengthen the defenses of a child from 1 to 4 years, you can pay attention to the drug "Multi Tabs Kid." It comes in chewable tablets with a raspberry-strawberry flavor. Contains 11 vitamins and 7 minerals. You need to take the drug only 1 tablet per day. In addition to the most necessary vitamins, it contains zinc, iodine, iron, calcium, selenium and magnesium. This complex is effective for the normal development of the child and strengthening his defenses. If a child cannot chew a tablet, it can be crushed and added to water or food. And for children with allergies, a special handicap of Multi Tabs tablets is released - Sensitive. They do not contain dyes, flavors or sweeteners.
"Alphabet"
Under this brand, drugs for all age groups are produced. For example, Alphabet Kindergarten is vitamins for immunity for children from 3 years old to 7. The drug is relatively expensive - it costs about 250 rubles per package, which is enough for 10 days, so 3 such packages are needed for the course. But its advantages include the fact that 11 vitamins and 8 minerals are distributed into 3 tablets of different colors, which must be taken three times a day. This provides better absorption of all trace elements and the absence of allergic reactions. Therefore, the effectiveness of the drug is higher than that of analogues.
Proper administration of the drug helps to normalize digestion, because it also includes prebiotics. "Alphabet" is able to strengthen the immune system and increase the activity of the child. It is recommended that the drug be taken during a period of increased need for vitamins and minerals, with intensive growth, poor nutrition. Due to the balanced composition and good tolerance, these vitamins are very popular among parents.
A variation of this mineral complex is the drug "Alphabet Our Baby", produced in the form of a soluble powder. It makes a tasty drink. The drug is intended for children from 1.5 to 3 years. It provides the growing body with all the necessary trace elements and strengthens the immune system. Its advantages include ease of administration and the absence of harmful components in the composition. In addition, the drug “Alphabet Schoolboy” is on sale - vitamins for immunity for children 8 years and older, “Alphabet Teen” - for adolescents 14-18 years old. There is a special complex “In the season of colds”, specially designed to protect the child's body from viral infections.
Supradin
If parents are looking for good vitamins for raising immunity for a child 4 years of age and older, you can pay attention to the drug "Supradin Kids." It is available in tablets, chewable tablets or sweet gel. Its cost for the course of admission will be about 400 rubles. The drug takes into account all the needs of a growing body in vitamins and minerals. But, in addition to these trace elements, it contains lecithin, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as calcium, which is very important for the proper formation of the musculoskeletal system.
"Supradin" in the form of a gel can be given to children from 3 years old by adding it to food or drinks. , . 12 , – « ». -3, . . «» , . .
«»
. « » 5 . 13 11 , , . 2 5 . , . , , . , . 450 , , .
6 , « ». 12 10 . . 6 12 .
«»
. 4 . . : , , , . , .
In addition to the necessary vitamins, VitaMishki contains extracts of currant leaves, pilaf strawberries, mountain ash, grapes, sea buckthorn. The preparation contains carotenoids, folic acid, choline, and many minerals. It even contains essential nutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Therefore, with a decrease in immunity in children, this drug will provide the child's body with everything necessary. It has an immunostimulating, general strengthening and anti-inflammatory effect. It is especially recommended for children who often suffer from colds.
Vitamins for immunity: reviews
“The child is 3 years old, and he often gets sick,” - such words can be spoken by every baby’s mother. But those who tried to give the child vitamins note that the condition of the children has improved. Many people write that after the course of treatment the baby became sick less and became happier. Especially a lot of such reviews about the vitamins "Supradin", "Pikovit" and "Multi Tabs". Parents like them for the convenience of prima and low price. And most children are delighted with the drug "VitaMishki." They like the pleasant taste of these marmalade sweets, and they eat them with pleasure. This is also noted by many parents in the reviews, since some vitamins are difficult to make a baby drink. And of the shortcomings of such drugs, reviews note only a rare occurrence of allergic reactions. But this can be avoided if you choose the right drug.