Supplements for toddlers

Hi all, I realize that my 1.5 year old son gets cold/ flu quite often these days. I'm starting to think if I should give him extra vitamin C or other supplements to build up his immune system (he eats healthy and does a lot of exercises during the day). Any advice? For supplements, which form and brand should I choose?

The immune system may be strengthened by vitamins, but the only way to really "build it up" is to be exposed and (sometimes) get sick.


BTW are you sure it's the flu? I have heard lots of people in HK say they have the flu when all they have is a head cold. If it's the actual flu we're talking medium to high fever, joint pain, often severe congestion. Nothing you would really function normally with.


That being said, vitamins are not a bad thing. There are plenty of different baby multivitamins at Watson's, Bumps to Babes, etc... Just make sure you don't exceed the stated dosage.


You can also give him a small glass of orange or grapefruit juice every morning.

Thanks axptguy. He had flu a few weeks ago (with fever and congestion), and yesterday he's sneezing and running nose again (and what came out was a bit yellowish). I hope it's just cold this time.


Some people blame the weather. It's hot and humid and though some would suggest more fresh air and less A/C, it's hard not to turn it on...

Our kids take daily:

Cod Liver Oil (we started with Flax Seed Oil, then graduated up!)

Multi Vitamin - you can buy at Matilida, research online as to which ingredients to look for and some recommended brands.


Also, keep in mind that it is NORMAL for toddlers to get colds, as they are exposed to more and more germs, they are developing their immune system... just wait until he starts school and comes home with everything!

"Some people blame the weather. It's hot and humid and though some would suggest more fresh air and less A/C, it's hard not to turn it on..."


You can't really blame the weather. There are always some people who do, regardless of whether they live in Hong Kong or Stockholm. As they say in the Swedish Army: "There is no bad weather, only incorrect dress." So true, so true.


In and out of A/C dries up the sinuses and tends to shock the system. If you can avoid it, it's a good thing. Ceiling fans are a great thing. They use about 1/25 the power of A/C and they don't actually change the temperature, so the body is not negatively affected.


I do agree that it's hard to not turn it on. ;)



"Also, keep in mind that it is NORMAL for toddlers to get colds, as they are exposed to more and more germs, they are developing their immune system... just wait until he starts school and comes home with everything!"


Haha. Indeed.