‘My toddler is super picky so a multivitamin is a must but he can also be picky about those as well! So when we found Hiya, and he loved them, I was so excited’
Kids get less access to Vitamin D during the autumn and winter months (Image: Getty Images)
With the summer holidays now a distant memory, the evenings are drawing in and cooler autumn temperatures are starting to set in. As children spend less time outdoors, parents may want to pay closer attention to one vitamin in particular — and we’ve found a supplement that works out at just 48p a day.
A varied and balanced diet should always be the first port of call when it comes to children’s nutrition, but even healthy eating habits don’t always mean youngsters get every vitamin and mineral they need. Picky eating, food preferences and simply not eating enough nutrient-rich foods can all make it harder for children to get certain vitamins from their diet alone.
Paediatrician Phil Boucher, MD, says vitamin D is one nutrient parents should pay particular attention to as the colder months approach. He told The Mirror: “Vitamin D is the one I’d flag hardest. The recommendation is 600 IU a day for kids over one, and a kid who isn’t drinking much milk or fortified alternative isn’t getting close.”
The issue becomes especially important during the autumn and winter months, when youngsters are likely to spend considerably less time outdoors in natural sunlight. Dr Boucher elaborated: “I practice in Nebraska. From October to April my patients are mostly indoors and far away from the sun so vitamin D synthesis in the skin is basically off the table.”
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in children’s wellbeing, supporting healthy immune system function while aiding proper bone development and growth. However, ensuring youngsters receive adequate amounts through diet alone can be far more difficult than many parents anticipate.
For parents looking for a simple way to top up their child’s daily intake, the Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin is currently available for £14.50, reduced from £29, for a 30-day supply when ordered by subscription. That works out at around 48p a day.
Designed for children aged three to 12, the chewable vitamins contain 15 essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D and E, B vitamins, folic acid, B12, biotin, iodine, zinc, selenium and manganese. They contain no added sugar or artificial colours and come in four flavours: cherry, strawberry, tropical and green apple.
The vitamins are delivered in a reusable glass bottle with a child-proof lid and a sticker set, so children can personalise their own container. After the first month, families receive refill sachets through the post, with subsequent orders priced at £29.
Hiya’s range has received overwhelmingly positive responses from parents, gathering more than 6,900 reviews in total, with an outstanding 6,300 achieving five-star status. One mother, whose daughter is a ‘very picky eater’, commented: “It is really hard to get her to take any supplements, but she loved these. She had so much fun decorating her own little jar. I appreciate that they come in glass and have a child-proof lid as well. Of course, they are dye and sugar-free too.”
Another parent added: “My toddler is super picky so a multivitamin is a must but he can also be picky about those as well! So when we found Hiya, and he loved them, I was so excited. He also had fun decorating the bottle.
“My daughter doesn’t eat anything nutritional, and I’ve tried so many different vitamins and water – so much money -, but she takes her Hiya every day with no hesitation,” one mum disclosed. “It’s amazing, and I feel better knowing she’s getting what she needs.”
Naturally, not every child will take to them and one customer noted that while her son wasn’t keen on the vitamins, she had nothing but praise for the company’s customer service, stating: “While my son did not like the vitamins, the customer service was spot on. They texted to see if we were liking it, and after a week of trying to get him to take them, I decided it wasn’t worth the struggle. I texted back, and it was easy to cancel. Sorry, we didn’t like the product, but if every company operated like Hiya, the world would be a better place.”
Another mother commented: “Ensuring my toddler gets his nutrients in used to be one more thing on my mental load, but he loves his Hiya vitamins and actually gets so excited about taking them, which has made such a difference. I love knowing he’s getting some extra nutritional support without having to fight him on it every day – the only fight we’re having is that he can only have one. One less thing for me to stress about is always a huge win.”
Hiya isn’t the only retailer stocking children’s multivitamins. Boots currently has Bio-Kult 3-in-1 Biotic Blend Multivitamin Gummies for Kids available, offering 30 strawberry-flavoured gummies at £16.98.
These contain 10mcg of vitamin D3, whereas Hiya’s products include 25mcg of vitamin D. At Holland and Barrett, Neubria Neu Kid – Multivitamin + Omega-3 30 Soft Chewables are priced at £12.
The supplements are reportedly packed with essential vitamins (including vitamin D3), iodine and DHA, a vital omega-3 fatty acid that plays a significant role in supporting brain, eye, and heart health.
It is worth noting that not every child will require a multivitamin supplement, but Dr Boucher highlights certain warning signs that may suggest a child isn’t getting sufficient variety in their diet. He explained: “How many foods does your kid genuinely accept? If it’s under about twenty, under-nutrition of something is likely.”
He also encourages parents to consider whether their child is eliminating an entire food group from their diet. “No dairy, no meat, no fish, no eggs. Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, or a restriction that came from an elimination diet nobody ever un-eliminated.”
For fussy eaters who are otherwise in good health, a multivitamin could still prove beneficial. “For a healthy kid with an unremarkable diet, a basic multivitamin is a reasonable, low-stakes hedge, but for a kid with a real red flag on that list, skip the supplement aisle and visit your paediatrician,” Dr Boucher added.
Hiya recommends administering its Kids Daily Multivitamin with breakfast, although it can be consumed at any time throughout the day, either with food or without. Dr Boucher concurred: “Honestly? The ideal time is whichever time you’ll actually remember. Attach it to something that already happens every single day without anyone having to think. You brush your teeth after breakfast, the vitamin lives next to that.”
Further information about Hiya multivitamins can be found here.
