Are There Vitamins That Can Give a Toddler a Good Appetite?

Toddlers can be finicky, which can be frustrating for parents who want to see them thrive and grow. If a vitamin deficiency is causing poor appetite, vitamin supplements may help. Otherwise, they won't be an appetite booster for toddlers. Keep in mind that there could be other reasons for a poor appetite which, when resolved, will help your toddler eat more.

Tips

Vitamins for toddlers' appetites are effective only if there is a deficiency. There is no best vitamin for kids to gain weight.

Potential Vitamin Deficiencies in Children

Vitamin deficiencies are less common in the Western world, where there is increased access to nutritious foods. However, that doesn't mean they are non-existent. Toddlers who are picky eaters, and those who are provided a lot of non-nutritive "junk" foods, may be more likely to experience deficiencies. Certain health conditions may also inhibit nutrient absorption and result in low blood levels.

In general, vitamin deficiencies cause a range of symptoms that can lead to fatigue, nausea, stomach pain and other side effects that can make children feel sick. If this is the case, then it could be affecting your toddler's desire to eat. In addition, some specific vitamin deficiencies are known to result in loss of appetite. These include:

• Vitamin B12 — Low B12 can cause developmental delays in children. It is sometimes caused by maternal B12 deficiencies, more common in mothers who eat a vegan diet. A B12 deficiency can also cause pernicious anemia, a condition in which red blood cells become enlarged and the cells don't develop properly 3. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some babies are born unable to absorb folate. 
• Biotin — Biotin deficiency is rare, but can be caused by impaired immune function, seizure medications and genetic disorders 4. In addition to decreased appetite, symptoms include nausea, muscle pain, seborrheic dermatitis and depression. 

If you think your toddler may have a deficiency in one of these nutrients, head to the pediatrician for a checkup. A change in diet or a supplement can help repair the deficiency, as can treating any underlying condition that may be causing it.

Read more: How to Grow a Smarter Child

Iron Deficiency Anemia

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Mineral deficiencies can just as easily reduce a toddler's appetite, and they are more common than vitamin deficiencies. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the United States, according to the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 78. It is also the leading cause of anemia, the same condition caused by low B12 and folate 4. A main symptom in children who are anemic is poor appetite 8.**

Young children are considered a high-risk population for iron deficiency. Babies are born with enough iron for six months, but after that, their iron requirements increase. Breastmilk and iron-fortified formulas are good sources of the mineral, but cow's milk is not.

Toddlers who drink too much milk may not eat enough other foods, and therefore develop "milk anemia." The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says children should not have cow's milk until they are one year old; after that, toddlers shouldn't have more than 4 cups a day 7.

Other Causes of Poor Appetite

Congestion and constipation are a little harder to discern in toddlers who can't easily communicate those symptoms. Besides decreased appetite, symptoms of congestion include:

• runny nose
  
• sneezing
  
• coughing
  
• noisy breathing
  
• snoring 9

If a child is constipated, he may have 10:

Appetite Booster for Toddlers

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Your toddler's decreased appetite may not be due to any deficiencies or illness at all; it may simply be a developmental stage. If your toddler has started to walk or run, she might just prefer playing and being active instead of sitting still to eat. According to Indiana University Health, around the age of 2 or 3, toddlers begin to assert their independence, which may mean pushing back at mealtimes 11.

Of course, it's important to rule out any nutrient deficiencies or other health concerns before you chalk up a reduced appetite to toddlerhood. If everything checks out OK, you can take some steps to encourage your toddler to eat more by following these suggestions from Indiana University Health pediatrician Danielle Wiese, MD, from Riley Children’s Health 11:

• Make sure you serve at least one thing you know your toddler likes to eat at mealtimes. 
• Encourage her to take at least one bite of everything on her plate. Dr. Weiss calls this a "no thank-you bite." After that, if she doesn't like it, she doesn't have to eat the rest. However, keep offering foods she dislikes at mealtimes so she becomes more familiar. 
• Have all family members remain seated at the table for the duration of the meal. This can help "busy" children learn to sit still at mealtimes and eat at least a few more bites. 
• Make mealtime a distraction-free zone — no books or toys at the table. 

If your child still won't eat, Dr. Weiss says you shouldn't try to provide other foods to fill in for what was missed. For example, don't offer a PBJ sandwich because your child didn't want to eat the chicken you served. She also encourages letting the child determine whether or not to eat. If a child doesn't eat at mealtime and is hungry later, that will help her learn on her own to eat more at mealtimes.