Children's dietary supplement: vitamin D and omega-3 every day

Vitamin D comes mainly from sunlight, and then from a few foods: oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and herring, egg yolk, and cod liver oil. DHA is found in these same oily fish and in microalgae. Plant-based sources such as flaxseeds, walnuts or chia provide ALA, an omega-3 that the body converts to DHA at a rate of only 1 to 5%.

There are two forms of vitamin D: D2 (ergocalciferol), which is plant-based, and D3 (cholecalciferol). D3 is generally considered more effective at raising and maintaining vitamin D status. It is now possible to obtain a plant-based vitamin D3 — this is the choice made for Sunny Baby, which is vegan and suitable for families who avoid animal products.

DHA supplements fall into two main families: those based on fish oil, often higher in dosage but not vegan, and those based on microalgae (schizochytrium), which are vegan, fish-free and odourless. For a child, the absence of odour often makes it easier to take. In both cases, the absence of pollutants verified by testing remains a criterion to check. Omega Kids relies on microalgae DHA.

A few guidelines can help you compare. Opt for a formulation suited to your child's age, such as drops that are easy to administer. Check that the age range indicated matches your child's age, look at the origin and quality of the ingredients, as well as a short ingredient list with no unnecessary additives. The dosage must be clearly indicated, and a supplement is no substitute for a varied diet.

In a healthy child with no particular dietary restrictions, a varied plate covers most nutritional needs, from iron to magnesium. Stacking intake with a general multivitamin therefore has little real benefit. Every child is different, and their needs evolve with their pace, appetite and the seasons. The nutrient intakes most often considered insufficient in the UK relate primarily to two areas: vitamin D, whose synthesis through the skin decreases in winter, and DHA, when oily fish is rarely on the menu. For vitality as well as immunity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep and physical activity remain the most important levers.

Rather than a general-purpose pack combining many active ingredients, we chose to focus on the two nutrients most commonly lacking in children. The other nutrients are largely found in a varied diet, whereas these two depend on more variable factors — sunlight for one, fish consumption for the other. This is also why deficiencies or limited intakes are sometimes specifically mentioned for these nutrients. Sunny Baby and Omega Kids are available individually, so you can adjust according to each family's needs.