The Best Vitamins for Kids in Canada
What Vitamins Should Kids Take in Canada? The Essential Guide for Ontario Parents
Wondering if your child needs vitamins? The short answer is maybe. Most healthy kids eating a balanced diet get what they need from food, but Canada's northern climate and specific nutritional guidelines mean some vitamins are especially important here.
What's going on with kids and vitamins?
Your child's growing body needs vitamins and minerals to develop properly, fight off illness, and have energy to learn and play. While a varied diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein usually covers most bases, there are a few gaps that Canadian kids commonly face.
Health Canada specifically recommends vitamin D for all Canadian children because our long winters and limited sunlight make it hard to get enough naturally. Iron deficiency is also common in toddlers and teenage girls, while some families following vegetarian or vegan diets may need to think about vitamin B12.
The key is knowing which vitamins your child actually needs rather than giving them everything on the pharmacy shelf.
What vitamins Canadian kids often need - Vitamin D: Recommended for all kids under 18, especially important in winter - Iron: Common need for toddlers (1-3 years) and teenage girls - Vitamin B12: Important for vegetarian and vegan families - Omega-3: Helpful if your child doesn't eat fish regularly - Multivitamin: Can fill small gaps but isn't necessary for most kids - Fluoride: Only if your water isn't fluoridated (check with your dentist) How to choose what's right for your child
Start by looking at what your child actually eats. If they're drinking milk, eating fortified cereals, and getting some variety in their diet, they may only need vitamin D. Picky eaters or kids with dietary restrictions might benefit from a basic multivitamin.
For vitamin D, Health Canada recommends 400 IU daily for babies under 12 months and 600 IU daily for kids over one year. Look for vitamin D3 drops for babies and chewable tablets for older kids.
If you're concerned about iron, watch for signs like fatigue, pale skin, or frequent infections. Your doctor can test iron levels with a simple blood test.
When to check with your doctor
Talk to your family doctor or text Arlo if your child has dietary restrictions, seems constantly tired, gets sick frequently, or if you're just not sure what they need. Some kids with chronic conditions or taking certain medications may have specific vitamin requirements.
Also check in if your child is taking multiple supplements, as some vitamins can build up in the body and cause problems in large amounts.
The takeaway
Most Canadian kids need vitamin D year-round, and that might be all they need. You know your child best, and a quick chat with a healthcare provider can give you peace of mind about their specific needs.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References - [Vitamin D for babies, children and teens](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healthy-living/vitamind) - [Nutrition for healthy term infants](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/pregnancy-and-babies/nutritionforhealthyterminfants) - [Iron needs of babies and children](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/healthy-living/ironneedsofbabiesandchildren)