“In general, the average healthy child does not need routine vitamin supplementation. There are a few exceptions to this: All exclusively breastfed babies need a vitamin D supplement. They’re sold over the counter in the pharmacy – Di-Vi-Sol, Tri-Vi-Sol. They’re all sold as liquid drops. You give one milliliter each day to the baby for the first six months. Another example of requiring vitamin supplementation is if your child has a deficiency. Let’s say they are anemic and they need iron. You can give them an iron supplement that’s over-the-counter or, if they’re deficient in vitamin D, you can give a gummy multivitamin. Those are also sold over-the-counter and often sold at places like Costco or any pharmacy. If you choose to give your child a gummy multivitamin, it’s a good idea to brush their teeth afterwards because the gummy contains sugar and sticks to their teeth and can cause dental cavities.”
Stephen Turner, MD is a board-certified pediatrician and Medical Director at Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights. He has a particular interest in child development and is a proponent of childhood vaccinations, making sure that all his patients have the most accurate information regarding medical decisions. He offers free prenatal consultations every month. Mount Sinai Doctors Brooklyn Heights is a two-floor practice with a walk-in urgent care center and more than 35 specialties. Located at 300 Cadman Plaza West, the practice is situated on the 17th and 18th floors.