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What are the Best Vitamins for Kids and Toddlers to Gain Weight?

One of the many things that parents worry about when it comes to their child’s development is whether they’re gaining enough weight.

While you don’t want obesity to become an issue, many parents also look to see that their child is gaining enough weight to be healthy. 

If you’re concerned that your child doesn’t weigh enough for their age, you should first speak to your pediatrician. They can confirm if you’re right and can help you decide what route to take to help your child add a few pounds.

Your pediatrician can let you know if you should be looking into vitamins for kids to gain weight.

While kids should be getting vitamins and nutrients from the foods they are eating, some kids need an extra boost. This can come in the form of vitamin supplements. Vitamins can fill the gaps in nutrients they may be lacking in their natural diet.

Let’s take a look at what you should keep an eye out for in the best vitamins for kids to gain weight as well as several options to choose from.

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What Are the Important Vitamins and Minerals for Children?

Each vitamin and mineral helps a specific area of your child’s growth. Your pediatrician can help you decide which vitamins your child may be lacking. Here’s a look at how several key vitamins can help in your child’s development.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for normal growth overall as well as healthy skin. It also helps with vision and tissue repair.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B helps the body to produce red blood cells and helps with metabolic activities. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to fight off infection and is important for healing. It also helps to strengthen tissue muscles, and skin.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is for strong bones and teeth. It helps with the absorption of minerals like calcium. Sunlight can stimulate Vitamin D to become active in the body.

Iron

Iron is important for kids at all times, but especially during growth spurts. It contributes to the building of muscles and the production of blood.

Calcium

calcium

Calcium is crucial when it comes to the development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. All of these vitamins can be found in foods that your child should be eating.

But, if your pediatrician determines that they’re just not getting enough, they may recommend certain supplements that contain these vitamins. These will help them develop appropriately.

Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Vitamins for Kids to Gain Weight

When you’re considering vitamins for toddlers to gain weight as well as older children, there are several areas to look at.

Your Child’s Diet

Think about what your child eats. Are they getting a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat? If you’re not sure, check out the government’s ChooseMyPlate site.

This breaks down what your child should be eating on a daily basis and in what amount. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Kids should be getting 1.5-4 ounces of whole grains daily. The exact amount depends on their age. 
  • When it comes to veggies, 1-3 cups is sufficient, depending on age. 
  • For fruit, 1-2 cups daily is recommended.
  • Calcium requirements are at 2-3 cups of milk daily. Yogurt and cheese are good milk alternatives.
  • It’s important that kids get 2-6.5 ounces of protein daily, depending on their age.

If your child is not getting these nutrients and is not growing properly, it may be time to talk about vitamins and minerals with your pediatrician.

Supplement Form

While older kids may be able to swallow an actual pill, smaller kids will need a chewable vitamin. If they’re afraid to take it or don’t like the taste, they’re not going to take it.

Some vitamins even come in a liquid form. Find a vitamin that you’re pretty sure they’ll take.

Be Sure the Need is There

Before you buy vitamins for kids to gain weight, be sure the need is there. Talk with your pediatrician about your child’s weight and where they fall on the charts.

You want to be sure that a vitamin supplement is what they need and that there may not be other issues going on. There are other things that may be going on with your child that is preventing them from gaining weight.

Best Vitamins for Kids to Gain Weight

If you’re ready to look at vitamins for kids to gain weight, here are five to consider. Be sure to check with your pediatrician before giving your child any new vitamins.

  1. Renzo’s Picky Eater Kids Multivitamin with Iron
  2. Garden of Life Vegetarian Multivitamin Supplement For Kids
  3. Premium Kids Liquid Multivitamin & Superfood
  4. Herbion Naturals Vitality Supplement for Children
  5. Focus Factor Kids Extra Strength Daily Chewable

1. Renzo’s Picky Eater Kids Multivitamin with Iron

Renzo's Picky Eater Kids Multivitamin with Iron, Dissolvable Vegan Vitamins for Kids, Zero Sugar, Cherry Cherry Mo' Cherry Flavor, 60 Melty Tabs

When you’re looking for the best vitamins for kids to gain weight, this one from Renzo is one you may want to consider.

It’s packed with 18 different vitamins including Vitamins A, C, D3, K as well as iron and zinc. It contains as many nutrients as three traditional gummy vitamins.

It’s a melty tab formula so you don’t have to worry about your child trying to swallow a pill. Many parents like this formula because it’s vegan, Non-GMO, sugar-free, and gluten-free. Children ages 2 and up can take this supplement.

Many parents who have given this vitamin to their kids have been pleased with it. The only major complaint was from those who didn’t realize that iron was added to the formula and that the dosage changed.

Be sure to always read the ingredients and dosage before giving it to your child.

Pros

  • Melty tab formula
  • Packed with 18 different vitamins
  • Non-GMO and sugar-free

Cons

  • Be sure to check dosage as it apparently has changed from previous packaging
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2. Garden of Life Vegetarian Multivitamin Supplement For Kids

Garden of Life Vegetarian Multivitamin Supplement For Kids, Vitamin Code Kids Chewable Raw Whole Food Vitamin With Probiotics, 60 Chewable Bears

Here’s another option if you’re looking for vitamins for kids to gain weight. This one from Garden of Life contains several key vitamins like vitamin C, D, E, and K.

It also includes live probiotics from ProBiora3, enzymes, and antioxidants to help your kids stay healthy.

This is a chewable gummy formula made for kids ages four and up so you don’t have to worry about trying to get your child to take a pill. It contains vitamins and minerals from 24 family-farmed whole food fruits and vegetables. 

Garden of Life uses a gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO formula, so it’s suitable for kids with gluten or dairy allergies.

Pros

  • Contains several key vitamins and minerals
  • Chewable formula
  • Dairy and gluten-free

Cons

  • Can not give to kids under 4
  • Some have complained that the supplements have a chalky taste
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3. Premium Kids Liquid Multivitamin & Superfood

Premium Kids Liquid Multivitamin & Superfood -100% DV of 14 Vitamins for Kids. Multi-Vitamin for Children Ages 4+. Great Tasting, Non-GMO, No Sugar - Max Absorption - 16 oz, 32 Serv

If you’re worried that your child won’t like a chewy vitamin, you may want to try this liquid formula from Tropical Oasis. It contains 14 essential vitamins that may be lacking from your child’s diet. It’s also gluten-free, sugar-free, and GMO-free.

One complaint with this formula from some parents has to do with the taste. Some who turned to this product due to the fact that it is a liquid said that the taste was less than desirable for their little one.

That’s just something to keep in mind as you look for the best vitamins for kids to gain weight.

Pros

  • Liquid formula
  • Contains 14 essential vitamins

Cons

  • Taste may be too strong for kids
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4. Herbion Naturals Vitality Supplement for Children

Herbion Naturals Vitality Supplement for Children - Promotes Growth & Appetite - Relieves Fatigue - Improves Mental & Physical Performance – Boosts Energy - 5 fl oz – 150 mL – For Kids 1 Years & Above

This supplement is one that’s made of natural ingredients like ginger and fenugreek. It also includes cardamom, dates, dried catkins, and other natural flavors.

It’s a syrup that can be given to kids as young as one. But, as with any supplement, always check with your pediatrician before giving anything to your child.

The goal of this supplement is to boost a child’s appetite to help them gain weight. It’s nut and dairy-free, so you don’t have to worry about any allergies. 

One concern that some parents expressed is the taste. Some kids didn’t really like the taste of it and wouldn’t take it.

Pros

  • Contains natural ingredients
  • Can be given to kids as young as one with pediatrician’s approval
  • Liquid formula

Cons

  • Some complaints about the taste
  • Doesn’t contain essential vitamins
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5. Focus Factor Kids Extra Strength Daily Chewable

Focus Factor, Kids Extra Strength Daily Chewable for Brain Health Support, White, Berry, 120 Count

Here’s a chewable vitamin that contains essential vitamins. It’s specially formulated to support healthy brain function and is made for kids ages four and up.

There are no artificial colors, fillers, sweeteners, or preservatives, so you can feel good about what you’re giving your child. It’s also gluten and dairy-free. 

This formula contains several important vitamins, but not as many as some other formulas so that’s something you want to keep in mind.

Pros

  • Chewable tablet
  • Contains no artificial colors or preservatives
  • Formulated to support healthy brain function

Cons

  • Doesn’t include as many vitamins as some other formulas
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Bottom Line on the Best Vitamins for Kids and Toddlers to Gain Weight

When it comes to the best vitamins for kids to gain weight keep in mind what vitamins and minerals you want your product to contain. This can narrow the field dramatically. 

We chose Renzo’s Picky Eater Kids Multivitamin with Iron as our top pick because it contains 18 different essential vitamins and minerals. It’s also a chewable formula which is always a plus. It’s also safe for kids ages 2 and up.

No matter what product you choose, be sure that it’s necessary and safe for your child. A quick discussion with your pediatrician can clear up any concerns you may have so that your child is growing appropriately.

Medical Disclaimer. All content and media on the MomInformed Website is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.