Children's vitamins - side effects with inconsistency?

Question

I give my son routinely and religously a multi-vitamin every day that he is with me. His father, my ex, however does not give him any vitamins on his visitations (every other weekend, every Mon, and overy other week during summer). I often wonder if this on, then off again, then on again vitamin routine could have a negative impact on my son, his behavior, his energy, his ability to focus, etc. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

not really, some vitamins remain in the body longer, such as A and E because they are fat soluble, others like C are depleted on a daily basis but that would not pose a critical health issue.  

Answer 2

Since vitamins are not prescription medications, there isn't any harm in the on-and-off taking them, just lost nutrition.  When your son gets old enough to remember instructions, you can give him some small container and explain he can take one each day himself to keep himself healthy, so he can avoid getting sick, or the reasons you give him to take one each day at your house.  

If your ex doesn't give the child any supplements at all, you may want to give him an extra glass of orange juice or something with vitamin C before he leaves your house.  You're a good mom!

Answer 3

Hello.

I would say that it most likely has no impact on his behavior, energy or ability to focus.  Here is why:

Your child most likely gets a good chunk of the things he needs from what he eats.  Multivitamins are pretty much designed to be "insurance" to provide whatever was missed.  The vast majority of people do not supplement with vitamins (if you don't count what is put in food).

I would not try to compensate by over-dosing your son with vitamins.  Certain ones can build up to toxic levels (theoretically, Vitamins A, D, E and K).

It is okay if your child gets a pill one day, waits a few days, and then gets some more.  The body is good at storing certain vitamins and getting rid of others.

So don't sweat it.  Just don't overload him on the multivitamins.