Last Updated on December 17, 2023
While Emergen-C can be a great product to help boost the immune system of adults, you may wonder if you can give Emergen-C to your baby. So let’s talk about it!
Overall, Emergen-C contains very high amounts of vitamin C, which can be harmful to your baby. Avoid giving your baby vitamin C supplements and instead provide them with fruits and vegetables rich in this essential nutrient, such as strawberries.
From the safety of vitamin C supplementation to the alternatives, let’s talk about if your baby can have the popular immune-boosting product, Emergen-C.
Can Babies Have Emergen-C?
Overall, babies cannot have Emergen-C when they are under four years old. Otherwise, they can have Emergen-C Kidz products.
The Emergen-C Kidz variety is appropriate for children ages four and up. The kids’ line includes a vitamin C powder version similar to the adult line, as well as multiple gummy vitamin versions in appealing assorted flavors and colors. Each kid’s product contains 250 milligrams of vitamin C, while the adult version contains 1,000 milligrams.
They also have an Emergen-C Kidz Immune Plus gummy variety that also contains Vitamin D and B vitamins.
Do not give your baby under four years old Emergen-C, including the Kidz variety. Additionally, do not give your child of any age the adult Emergen-C products.
If you are giving Emergen-C Kidz to a child aged four or older, make sure to carefully follow the dosage information on the actual product packaging.
Avoid giving your child too much vitamin C. The daily adequate intake (AI) of Vitamin C for infants is 40 milligrams for up to six-month-olds and 50 milligrams for seven to twelve-month-olds (source: Mayo Clinic).
Additionally, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for one to three-year-olds is 15 milligrams, for four to eight-year-olds is 25 milligrams, and for nine to 13-year-olds is 45 milligrams.
Going slightly over this recommendation is not a problem since vitamin C is not stored in the body and is simply urinated out. However, avoid significant overdoses of this nutrient.
However, it is also important to note that all lines and products from the Emergen-C brand are considered to be dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are regulated much differently than food products in the United States.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements for safety or efficacy before they hit the grocery store or health food store shelves. Instead, they monitor for reports of adverse effects afterward.
Therefore, it is best to avoid giving your child any type of dietary supplement unless recommended by their physician or a registered dietitian nutritionist. Likewise, avoid giving your child Emergen-C, especially since vitamin C is so plentiful in many foods.
Other Ways of Giving Babies Vitamin C
To avoid supplementation, provide your baby with a vitamin C-rich diet of fruits and vegetables.
The primary sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons. However, these fruits are very high in acid and can cause diaper rash and redness around their mouths if it is introduced too early (source: Healthline). Therefore, avoid giving citrus fruits to your baby until at least 12 months old.
However, strawberries, broccoli, and bell peppers are also excellent sources of vitamin C. Incorporate them into your baby’s diet with the appropriate consistency and texture for their age. For example, puree for babies around six months and small cut-up strawberries when the baby begins consuming finger foods.
In conclusion, I hope this article helped to break down the truth behind giving your baby vitamin C and some safer alternatives to Emergen-C.
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