A Parent's Guide to Kids' Supplements
Even great eaters
have gaps.
Nearly every kid falls short on vitamin D from food alone, and most get a fraction of the DHA growing brains need. Here's how to fill the gaps, age by age, without overdoing it.
The Live Wise Take
Every kid needs vitamin D. Most need DHA. Some need a little more.
Good food always comes first. But some nutrients are nearly impossible to get from even the best lunchbox. Here's where to start.
Every Kid
Vitamin D3
Very few foods contain it, and winter sun won't make up the difference. This is the one we'd never skip.
Most Kids
DHA omega-3
A building block of growing brains and eyes. Most kids get a fraction of what experts recommend, especially in fish-free homes.
Some Kids
B12 & a multi
For plant-based families, picky eaters who skip meat, eggs and dairy, and kids whose allergies limit what's on the plate.
Start Here
What does my child need right now?
Pick your child's age to see where to start.
0–12 Months
Vitamin D from day one
Breast milk is amazing, but it's naturally low in vitamin D. That's why pediatricians recommend a daily vitamin D drop for breastfed and partially breastfed babies, starting in the first days of life. Formula is fortified, so formula-fed families should ask their pediatrician whether extra is needed.
These are general daily nutrient needs, not serving instructions. Follow each product's age-based label directions, and check in with your pediatrician.
The Big Three
The nutrients worth knowing by name
Vitamin D
The one almost every kid is missing
Vitamin D helps growing bones use calcium. The catch? It's in very few foods, and from about October to March, kids north of the line from central California to North Carolina make very little from the sun.
DHA & Omega-3s
Good for the whole family
DHA is a building block of the growing brain and eyes, and we believe everyone, kids and grown-ups alike, benefits from it. If fish isn't on the menu a couple of times a week, a daily DHA is an easy win, especially under age 2.
- Ours comes from algae, the same place fish get it
- Fish-free, vegan and mild-tasting, so no fishy burps
- Easy to mix into food or formula
Vitamin B12
Not just for plant-based families
B12 helps make healthy red blood cells and supports the nervous system. It only comes naturally from meat, fish, eggs and dairy, so it's worth a look if your child:
Our Kids B-12 was formulated with the registered dietitians at Plant-Based Juniors.
Shop Kids B-12 →Does my child need a multivitamin?
Usually not. Targeted drops cover the common gaps without doubling up. A multi makes sense when several gaps show up at once:
- Very selective eating
- Food allergies that rule out whole food groups
- Absorption issues your pediatrician has flagged
More isn't better
Filling a gap is the goal, not maxing out. Vitamins A and D, folate, iodine, iron, selenium and zinc all have upper limits, and kids can hit them faster than you'd think when a multi stacks on fortified foods.
Follow the label for your child's age, and ask your pediatrician before going higher.
Shopping Smart
How to choose a kids' supplement
Start with the gap
Choose for the nutrient your child is most likely missing, not the longest ingredient list.
Look past the front label
Check the form, the source, the serving for your child's age, and every other ingredient.
Match iron to the plate
If your child eats plenty of iron-rich foods, pick a multi with little or no iron.
Skip the megadoses
Count what's already coming from food and other supplements before adding more.
Pick a format they'll take
Liquid drops skip the pill battle and let you measure exactly. That's why every Live Wise formula is a drop.
Store it like medicine
Up high and out of reach, every time.
Flip the bottle over
The nutrient is only half the story. The "Other ingredients" line is where products really differ. Our rule of thumb: if you can't tell why it's there, ask.
Sugars
Gummies and syrups often add sugar or sugar alcohols. Check "Added sugars."
Artificial extras
Watch for artificial flavor, dyes by color and number, sucralose and aspartame.
Preservatives
If one's listed, look it up and decide if you're comfortable with it.
Fillers
Binders and flow agents help factories, not kids. Each should have a reason.
Allergens
Check for soy, gluten, dairy and tree nuts if your child has allergies.
Thoughtfully Made For Your Family
Plant-based liquid drops, made for little ones
Easy to measure, easy to mix in, no pill battles. Start with the gap you're filling. You don't need every bottle.
Infants & Toddlers
Baby D3+K2
USDA Organic plant-based D3 from pine, with soy-free K2. Lanolin-free, in amber glass with a glass dropper.
Shop Baby D3+K2
Growing Kids
Kids D3+K2
800 IU of vegan D3 in just 4 drops, paired with soy-free K2. Lanolin-free and allergen-free.
Shop Kids D3+K2
Infants & Toddlers
Baby DHA
Plant-based DHA from algae oil. Mild taste, no fishy aftertaste, easy to mix into food or formula.
Shop Baby DHA
Plant-Based & Picky Eaters
Kids B-12
Mushroom-sourced B12 at 2.5 mcg per drop, with no mushroom flavor. Age-based directions on the label.
Shop Kids B-12
Ages 2–14 · Coming Soon
Kids Omega
Algae-sourced DHA and EPA with Ahiflower® oil. Zero sugar, no fillers.
Get notified
Limited Time · For The School-Day Routine
The Back to School Bundle
Kids D3+K2, Kids B-12 and Kids Vitamin C together, for families who want the daily basics covered in one easy order.
Shop the bundleReal-Life Tips
How to give drops (without the battle)
Shake well
Before every use.
Measure as directed
Count drops or measure mL per the label for your child's age.
Pair with a meal
A little healthy fat helps absorb vitamins D and K2.
Make it easy
Straight into the mouth, on a pacifier, or mixed into formula, juice or food.
Split it up
Some products work as two smaller doses. Check the label.
Store as directed
Cool, dry and dark. Refrigerate DHA after opening and use within 90 days.
Free Printable
The one-page fridge guide
Every age, every nutrient, on one sheet. Stick it on the fridge or bring it to your next checkup.
Get the guideFor Plant-Based Families
Plant-Based Juniors Supplement Guide
A deeper look at nutrient needs from babies through school age, from the dietitians we partner with.
Read the PBJ guide ↗Questions parents ask us
Do kids need vitamins if they eat healthy?
A great diet covers most nutrients, but vitamin D is the exception. Very few foods contain it, so even great eaters usually fall short. DHA is similar for families who don't eat fish a couple of times a week.
Can kids get enough vitamin D from milk and sunshine?
Sometimes, depending on where you live and how much time you spend outdoors. But it would take about 5–6 cups of fortified dairy a day to meet needs through milk alone, and above 37° latitude the sun makes little vitamin D outside summer. Most kids need a little extra.
Should my breastfed baby take vitamin D?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU of vitamin D daily for breastfed and partially breastfed infants, starting shortly after birth. Your pediatrician can confirm what's right for your baby.
What supplements does a vegan or plant-based child need?
Vitamin B12 is the priority. Iodine is also worth a closer look for plant-based families; ask your pediatrician whether a supplement could help fill a gap. DHA is worth discussing too, along with vitamin D depending on sun exposure and diet.
Could my picky eater need vitamin B12?
Possibly. Vitamin B12 comes naturally from animal foods—meat, fish, eggs, and dairy—so a child who eats little or none of these, including kids who won't eat red meat, may not get enough. Ask your pediatrician or a pediatric dietitian whether a B12 supplement is right for your child.
Do all kids need a multivitamin?
No. Kids with a balanced, nutrient-rich diet usually don't. A multivitamin is most helpful for selective eaters, kids with food allergies or restricted diets, and kids with conditions that affect absorption.
Is it safe to give my child more than the recommended amount?
More isn't better. Nutrients like vitamins A and D, folate, iodine, iron, selenium, and zinc have established upper limits, so stick to age-appropriate amounts and ask your pediatrician before going higher.
What age can kids start supplements?
Vitamin D is recommended for breastfed babies from shortly after birth. Other supplements depend on diet and need, so check with your pediatrician.
Should my child take iron?
Only if a need is identified. Ask your pediatrician about a simple blood test first.
Does my child need iodine?
If your family or child eats a plant-based diet, it's worth asking your pediatrician about iodine. Dairy, eggs, seafood, and iodized salt are common sources, and the right amount matters.