Supplements for a toddler - PLS HELP

Hello All,

I've been doing a bit more research and I have to admit that I'm behind with providing my little one with the proper supplements.  I was nursing him until last month and hoping he was receiving the best possible nutrients from me.  Now, upon doing more and more research - I realize I should've have started him on a lot more a long time ago. 

I have found a lot of information and I want to make sure we are on the right track now.  I'm really kicking myself for not starting on these things earlier and doing more research than I have been doing in the past year.  If I did this - i wouldn't be so uneducated about so many things that would be benefiting my little one by now.    I don't know why but in a way I've almost tried to pretend all will be okay and I KNOW that unless i'm proactive I'm not being a good mother at all!

I would appreciate any guidance you have on the following.  If you currently have any trusted resources of where to purchase these items, please let me know.

Also, if you have any suggestions on how to administer these supplements to a very fussy 16 month old that won't drink anything but water or milk...that would be very very helpful. Most importantly I want to ensure that it is okay for him to have all of this all together.  Also, any other reccommendations of supplements?  THANKS THANKS THANKS in ADVANCE!!!

FOLIC ACID DROPS – Any trusted sites to order this from? An appropriate dose at this age?

OSTEOCARE – any recommendations on dosage and administration?  I’ve seen in online and it comes in a Liquid form.  Do you have any trusted sites or stores to purchase from?

WHEAT GRASS SUPERSHOT – I saw a link from Andy http://sproutman.com/wheatgrass-products/dr-wheatgrass-super-shots?cPath=11&zenid=f141361f1efe9440dcd9e487fbb05011 in a previous post.  How much of this can I give to my son?  Can I mix it into water? 

IP6  / Vitamin E – I have Andy’s info on this – thank you 

GREEN TEA & GREEN TEA EXTRACT – can the extract be dropped into his water? 

CURCUMIN – we use this in a lot of our food.  Is this sufficient?

 
O

Charishma,

My friend, first and foremost - you are an excellent mom.  Secondly, it is not too late.  In fact I didn't start lil A on supplements until he was 5 years old so you are still early  

I will look over your list and respond soon. 

Sharmin   
Ari is very luck to have you.  He is going to live a loooooooong and healthy life - likely longer and healthier than other children his age who play video games and eat potato chips all day. 

 

Thank you sharni.  I've been a bit concerned about Ari and his eating habits.  I try really really hard to ensure that he gets his veggies and fruits for proper proportions of vitamins but it is difficult!  Especially when family gets upset at me for not giving him doritos or sweets! I'm trying to form healthy habits and I get told there is no harm in them! 

He HATES fruits...and spits them right out.  I still give him pureed fruit packs to get him enough vitamin C.  As far as veggies - i try to take all the meals I make him and hide EXTRA veggies in them! 

He has been very constipated lately too....does this happen with excess iron in your body?

Another thing I wanted to ask  - is it okay to feed him things like  cream of wheat and grits - these items have about 45% of the daily intake of Iron.  Am I harming him by giving him these foods? 

Hi Carisma,

If you can find cereals not fortified with iron, it would be better, but that may be difficult. I would suggest looking at it in the context of his entire diet. If he gets a lot of iron rich foods, you may want to avoid the cereals with iron. If not, it's OK to give him the cereals. One thing to remember is that iron from meat is absorbed much more readily than plant iron, so if he doesn't eat a lot of meat, his iron absorption is probably not too high.

Wheatgrass shots are safe and they have a slightly sweet taste. He may take it willingly, but if not, yes you can mix it in other things. One half cap full is the daily dose for his age. I have to start taking them again myself. I can tell the difference in my energy level when I stop. I would be hesitant to give him green tea extract this young unless you can find it without caffeine. I would say start at 2 years if it contains caffeine. Curcumin in food is the best way to use it, as is the case with many spices commonly used in Indian cooking. Ginger is another spice with great health properties. Liquid folic acid is commonly used and most brands are reliable. I would also suggest looking for a kids vitamin with greens added, as this can make up for some of what he should be getting from veggies. One of the moms should be able to tell you which of the Osteocare products is best for thal kids.

Carisma,

Organic cereals are usually not fortified with iron.

We give lil A organic cereals.  Also, Children's
Phytoplankton drops are tasteless and can be
added to other drinks.  Be sure to give him vitamin
D and a copper/zinc formula.  It helps with growth.
My son has suddenly sprouted since I increased
These supplements in his diet.  He grew 4cm in
4 months.  

U can also try General Mills Kids Greens+ to get him to have
more vege extracts as well.  

I will post more as it comes to me.  I really hope
You can see Dr Vichinski someday as he and
His staff help so much with all this.  They measure
Every possible vitamin and mineral level in his body
Every year.

Being in touch with a comprehensive center has
changed lil As care for the better.  In fact our
entire family is looked after in Oakland as we are
All affected by his thalassemia.

Sharmin

I'm sorry sharni, can you clarify what you mean when you say vitamin d and copper/zinc formula? He is on whole milk right now. R u speaking of an actual toddler formula? Or just saying to use a combo of the two?  I nursed him completely for a year and the last 4 months gave him a combo of whole milk and breast milk.....i don't know how hed react to a formula.  If u are not talking about milk formula, how would I get him to take the zinc/copper vitamin d combo? R they capsules or drops?

Im sorry....i just want to make sure I'm picking up the right things and not giving him too anything that counter acts with something else.

As far as organics, we have a whole foods here but when he was eating baby cereal, it had the same content of iron as the quaker oat instant grits or oatmeal.  We resorted to this because we don't eat much meat and there aren't many options for a hearty breakfast for a picky child.  I think I mentioned that he doesn't drink juice either right?? It should be very interesting when he starts exjade. I usually try to give him milk and fruit as well.  Any suggestions u might have r welcome!!

Also,a friend of mine just went to india and I wanted to know is there anything that might be good to get him from there? My cousin has access to a great homeopathic doctor. I just want to make sure that it will be safe for a toddler whatever it is.

I'll look into the phytoplanktin and greens +.

O ther than that we spoke about it and r seriously considering a visit to california....before the end of the summer to meet dr. V.

Hi Charishma,

You can get vitamin D drops.  We also give little a supplement called Zinc-Copper Balance frorm AOR classic series.  I don't know if they sell that in the US.  He is about 70lb and we are giving him 30mg of zinc/ 4mg of copper daily.  This comes in a capsule but you can open the capsule and put it in his milk.  Recently, I have been mixing all of his vitamins into his milk or juice and he can barely taste them.  

I think that the visit to California will do you a lot of good.  You will receive information that will keep you on the right track.  The doctors there are very good about communicating with your local doctors - they will send your doctor a letter with their indications.  They will also give you the reassurance you need.

Best,

Sharmin

Thanks Charisma for bringing this up. We have faltered on the same and do need to start our research on Nutrition and food supplements. This has been slightly intimidating, as such am thankful for your post, which has come just at the right time.
 
Did anyone attend the Cooley's Anemia webinar, this past week.. I missed it and would like to know what was discussed.

I may get back with some questions once I have done the reading.

Thanks
SK

Carisma and SK,

You two are doing a great job looking into all of this so early.  By supplementing your children you are preventing iron damage - as free iron (which is a free radical) causes damage when it has nothing to bind to.  When there are ample antioxidants present in the body then the free iron binds to them rather than de stabalizing healthy cells in the body (which can lead to tissue and organ damage).  

I know it seems like a lot - but the benefits are great.  If you have questions please keep asking - that is what we are here for.  You do not need to start everything at once, you can start with a few as your child's body gets used to them.  I would make sure that your children are getting vitamin D, zinc and copper - this will aid in their growth.  Also IP6 and some type of green extract such as pediatric phytoplantin drops, greens+.  I am also giving little A reseveritol - this helps in two ways, by acting as an antioxidant and it helps protect red blood cells so that they last longer.  

The benefits of all of these supplements are manifold - protection from iron damage, protection of blood cells so that last longer, regulation of the immune system, healthy organs and blood vessels etc etc.  

At some point vitamin E and L-carnitine can be added - I am not sure what age that is recommended.  

A good thing to have handy is a blender or the "Magic Bullet" - you can mix all of the supplements into their milk or a smoothie.  If it is blended will they will not notice it at all.  Simply open the capsules and add the powder into their drinks.  I add all of his liquid drops into it as well.  

Be sure also to make sure that they are getting omega oils.  You can add the drops into the mixture as well.  Or you can buy gummi bears vitamins containing essential fatty acids.  

Let me know if I have missed anything,

Sharmin

Thanks for all this info Sharni - it is AWESOME! I KNOW you are extremely busy and I really appreciate you taking the time from your children and your studying to willingly help us with this.  I'd be lost without your guidance.  The same goes for all the others who make posts and give us newbies so much information.  I know how valuable my time is and it takes a DEDICATED and SPECIAL person to take time out of their lives to help people they do not even know during their own time.  We are truly very lucky to have you all in our lives.  THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!   

 


Anyhow, yes, my main goal is to make sure I do not overwhelm  Ari's system by introducing all of these supplements at once. So for now I am going to start introducing a few at a time - the following seems like they are the most important. 

ANDY / SHARMIN - Can you please make sure my information is correct on dosage and administration?

FOLIC ACID DROPS - Dosage as stated on box? 
VITAMIN D DROPS - Dosage as stated on box? 
WHEAT GRASS SUPERSHOT – 1/2 super shot daily
Children's Phytoplankton drops – mixed into water or juice
IP6  CAPSULE - 1 capsule mixed in with juice or water.  Can it be taken anytime in the day with or without meals?? 
VITAMIN E – 5 drops of this product will supply 100 IU daily.  Mixed with water or juice. 
ZINC - COPPER – this is the one I need to make sure is okay for toddlers.  Would I purchase the adult form capsule?  Mixed into milk.
OSTEOCARE - What type is good for children?  Can I put this in his milk? 

Also, I found oatmeal and grits with a much lower iron content at whole foods!  YAY! 

Carisma,

It is my pleasure my friend.  You and Ari are like family to me, don't ever hesitate in asking me for anything.  

FOLIC ACID DROPS - you can give it to him as per indication for age on package
VITAMIN D DROPS - for now give him as per indication - probably 400mL - but after having his
vitamin D levels measured you may need to increase it depending on his levels.
WHEAT GRASS SUPERSHOT – 1/2 super shot daily
Children's Phytoplankton drops – mixed into water or juice
IP6  CAPSULE - 1 capsule mixed in with juice or water.  don't give with meals - it is better not taken with milk or calcium products.
VITAMIN E – 5 drops of this product will supply 100 IU daily.  Mixed with water or juice.  
ZINC - COPPER – this is the one I need to make sure is okay for toddlers.  Would I purchase the adult form capsule?  Mixed into milk.  I am giving lil A adult form of the vitamin but again he is 12 - so you may wish to ask someone in a health food store.  zinc is very very important in thalassemia, zinc deficiency can lead to bone loss.  however, if giving zinc you must also give copper because zinc supplementation without copper can lead to copper deficiency.
OSTEOCARE - What type is good for children?  Can I put this in his milk?  An osteocare liquid is available - I was giving that to both of my kids for a while.  I am currently giving them progressive calcium, magnesium and trace minerals.  these are chewable.  A chewable form of osteocare is also available on the website it contains other important minerals essential in bone health.  Be sure that you are giving calcium and magnesium however.  

I am glad that you were able to find oatmeal that is not fortified.  Generally whole, organic foods are best because they aren't fortified with iron.  Natural iron, which does not come from a meat source is not heavily absorbed.  However, foods that are enriched with iron do contain a form of iron that is readily absorbed - which is not good.  For this reason, avoid breads and cereals that are "enriched" and stick to foods that are whole grain. 


I hope that this is helpful, keep asking questions if you have more.

Sharmin

Hello everyone,

By reading the above posts I feel I am lost. My kid is 2.4 yrs n we are from India. I am not giving him any medication except for Asunra 100 mg n now increased to 300mg as his Ferritin is 2318. And I am giving him everything to eat except greens. Am i lacking behind in something.....plz plz advise.

The more you read here, the more you will learn. Thals are subject to conditions that deplete many nutrients. It is important to make sure that thals have a good diet and get proper nutrition, including appropriate supplements.