Best Multivitamins For Kids Of 2022, According To Experts

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) position on vitamins for children is that kids who are receiving a well-balanced diet do not need vitamin supplementation over and above the recommended dietary allowances (RDA). In fact, research has found that many children who take multivitamins likely don’t medically need them^[1]Shaikh U, Byrd RS, Auinger P. Vitamin and mineral supplement use by children and adolescents in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: relationship with nutrition, food security, physical activity, and health care access. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163(2):150-7. .

Additionally, consuming higher than recommended doses of certain vitamins and nutrients can be harmful—the Linus Pauling Institute, a molecular nutrition research institute at Oregon State University, notes that some children’s multivitamins contain the upper limit (UL) of some micronutrients, which refers to the “highest level of daily intake of a specific nutrient likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects.” Another challenge, according to the institute, is that the daily values listed on many supplement labels do not reflect current RDA recommendations.

Still, the Linus Pauling Institute recommends children between the ages of 4 and 13 take a daily multivitamin with 100% of the daily value for most vitamins and essential minerals, keeping in mind the RDA and UL for certain micronutrients in particular age groups. While it’s advised that kids receive their micronutrients from food, the institute recognizes that many children fall short of reaching the recommended amounts.

“Multivitamins are a simple way to fill in a few micronutrient gaps,” says Natasha Burgert, M.D., a pediatrician in Overland Park, Kansas and a 2022 Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “Although it’s preferred that children get their nutrition from whole foods, kids can have selective eating habits that make it difficult. Multivitamins are a convenient option for families concerned about nutritional intake or growth.”

The multivitamin that will be most effective is the one that your child will actually take. Look for fun flavors in a chewable format, but make sure your child understands these are vitamins—not candy—and keep them in child-proof containers.

“I recommend liquid or chewable vitamins for my families since they are thought to be more shelf-stable than gummy vitamins and lower in sugar,” says Dr. Burgert.

Key nutrients in particular that your child might benefit from include vitamin D (an essential nutrient for growing bodies that can be hard to get from food sources alone) and iron (in case their diet lacks iron-rich foods); opt for formulas without added sugars, artificial sweeteners, colors, flavorings or preservatives. Additionally, check to see if the multivitamin has been third-party tested—this can provide reassurance of the quality of the product and that it’s free from certain contaminants.

For the Best Multivitamins For Kids Of 2022 ranking, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of accredited nutrition experts who shared their top picks and why they recommend them. Star ratings were based on user satisfaction and cost, and determined solely by the editorial team.