Our favorite supplements for infants and toddlers! We recommend a few specific supplements for predominantly plant-based kids. Suggestions to get you started.
Raising kids comes with countless questions already, let alone the uncertainty many parents have about feeding them well. One of the most common questions we receive is about supplements for kids.
While supplement needs are truly individual, there are some we recommend for most predominantly plant-based kids. This is based on current evidence about plant-based nutrition for kids as well as our own experiences as registered dietitians and moms.
If you’re not sure whether your child needs supplements, we’re outlining which ones we suggest as well as which ones we don’t.
Note: These are general guidelines. Personally tailored advice for your kiddos is best obtained by talking to your pediatrician and/or registered dietitian.
Supplements Your Kids Don’t Need
Supplements are everywhere. Clever marketing often has us thinking we need to add more to our child’s routine to optimize their nutrition.
This can be persuasive especially when your child follows a specific diet pattern or if they go through phases of selective eating (which, by the way, is all kids!).
With that being said, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with supplement recommendations for your family. Below are the supplements you can cross off of your “must-have” list for most healthy kids:
- General, non-specific strains of probiotics (specific strains may be beneficial in the short-term to help address things like colic or diarrhea in babies)
- Electrolytes
- Protein powders
- Brain boosters
- Immune boosters
- Super greens supplements
Not every child needs a multivitamin, either. Again, this really depends on your family’s diet and what your child gets through the foods they eat (and remember, it’s not nutrition unless it’s eaten!).
Our Favorite Supplements for Infants and Toddlers
Okay, now for our list of supplements to consider as part of your child’s routine.
Note that these are geared toward infants and toddlers as these age groups tend to be more difficult to find supplements for. Plus, once kids enter school and grow into teens, many of the adult supplements in pill form can be appropriate.
Next, you’ll find a few of our recommended brands for categories of nutrients you might be considering. Note that some links are affiliate links, and some brands have kindly passed on a discount to share with you.
Vitamin B12
For plant-based kids (and adults), vitamin B12 is a non-negotiable.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is strongly recommended depending on your child’s intake of direct food sources and sun exposure all year long.
Calcium
We recommend 1-2 cups per day of calcium-fortified non-dairy milk (ideally, soy or pea) for dairy-free kids. A supplement may be suggested if your child isn’t able to consume this regularly.
Omega-3s
Omega-3s (EPA and DHA) may be advisable for any diet pattern in which fish and seafood aren’t being consumed 2-3 times per week. Your child can also get ALA, the precursor to EPA and DHA, from specific plant foods like ground flax seed, but the conversion rate is very low and not adequate to meet daily omega-3 needs.
- Nordic Naturals Baby DHA
- Peppa Pig DHA Chews (contains added sugar)
- NutraVege
Iron
Iron is not widely recommended unless your child has been diagnosed with iron deficiency, or you have a limited eater who may not be getting many iron-rich foods.
Multivitamins
While likely not needed for most kids, some parents like the assurance of a multivitamin when their child is going through phases of selective intake.
Finally, for more detailed insight on each of these nutrient categories, download a copy of our FREE and comprehensive Plant Based Juniors Supplement Guide, which provides:
- dosing guidelines
- more insight on the nutrient categories above (plus some others)
- suggestions for pregnant and lactating mamas
- and even MORE brands we recommend!
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Chime In: Does your family already use any of these supplements?
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Asia says
Hi there. I appreciated your work – you are my guides navigating through the murky waters of my sons early life nutrition! He is a 16 mo who refuses to drink plant milk. I tried several brands of soy & pea but no success. I add it to smoothies pancakes and baked goods and that works well but I still worry about his calcium intake.
The Trace Minerals liquid supplement sounds like it would work well for us. I wonder though if it’s safe for a young toddler and how much should I be giving him.