Iron plays an important role in building your child’s muscles and tissues. Iron is a mineral that helps make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in red blood cells around the body. If your child is lacking this essential nutrient, they can develop an iron deficiency or even anemia.
Children need different amounts of iron at different ages, so choose an iron supplement that’s age-appropriate for your child. For fussy eaters, Renzo’s Vitamins for Kids Iron Strong Dissolvable Vegan Iron Supplement for Kids melts 9 milligrams of iron into your child’s mouth.
Iron supplements for kids not only differ in dosage from adult iron supplements, they also rarely come in pill form since most kids have difficulty swallowing pills.
Vitamin C has been shown to help iron absorb in the body, so some iron supplements for children also contain vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in dosages around 25 milligrams. Alternatively, you can add citrus and other vitamin C-rich foods to your child’s diet to boost the bioavailability of their iron supplement.
While sugary vitamins may be popular with kids, they aren’t beneficial to their health or teeth. Gummies, in particular, contain the highest amount of sugar as compared to other forms of iron supplements, and they may have a sugar coating. Opt for a gummy or chewable that’s labeled sugar-free, and read the ingredient list carefully for hidden sugars like fructose or corn syrup.
Children on a vegan or vegetarian diet are at a higher risk for iron deficiency. If your child is taking an iron supplement because of their restricted diet, be sure the supplement itself is vegan or vegetarian. Gummies in particular can contain pork-based gelatin, an animal byproduct.
Iron supplements for kids start at $9 and go up to $22 for a 60-day supply.
A. While most children get adequate iron through a balanced diet containing iron-rich foods, there are certain populations of children who are more at risk for an iron deficiency, such as children who are on a vegan or vegetarian diet, children between ages 1-5 who drink more than 24 ounces of milk a day, obese children and children with certain chronic health conditions.
A. Yes. Only give your child an iron supplement if recommended by your pediatrician. You can check for iron levels through a simple blood test. High doses of iron or iron supplements taken too often can lead to toxicity. Never give a child under 14 more than 40 milligrams of iron daily.
A. For children 4-8 years old, the RDA of iron is 10 milligrams daily. For children ages 9-13, 8 milligrams are recommended daily. For girls ages 14-18, the RDA is 15 milligrams and for boys ages 14-18, the RDA is 11 milligrams.
Renzo’s Vitamins for Kids Iron Strong Dissolvable Vegan Iron Supplement for Kids
What you need to know: This choice from Renzo’s is a vegan and sugar-free iron melt that helps anemic kids get their iron levels back up.
What you’ll love: Parents find this iron supplement superior to the competition for resolving iron deficiencies. Picky eaters who refuse liquid and gummy iron supplements won’t refuse the yummy taste of this melt. The formula contains vitamin C.
What you should consider: For a minority of consumers, their children’s iron levels decreased on these supplements.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: For a low-priced iron chewable that’s gluten-free and packs a potent dose of iron, try these chews from Carlson.
What you’ll love: The strawberry flavor tastes so good that children ask for these supplements. Parents report success with these supplements in relieving restless leg syndrome in their kids. Children prefer these chewables over liquid forms, and they don’t stain their teeth.
What you should consider: These chewables contain sugar.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and iHerb
Vitamin Friends Iron Vegan Gummies
What you need to know: These are popular iron gummies with the added bonus of B vitamins, vitamin C and zinc.
What you’ll love: Each strawberry-flavored gummy contains 15 milligrams of iron plus a plethora of other essential vitamins. The formula is gelatin-free. Kids love the taste and this iron supplement doesn’t cause constipation.
What you should consider: Some kids prefer the old formula and refuse the new one.
Where to buy: Sold by iHerb and Amazon
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Ana Sanchez writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
