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If you're a parent with picky eaters in your household, you might be concerned that they're not getting all of the nutrients they need. Or, if your children are vegetarian (like mine), you might be wondering if they're getting enough iron through food alone. In this parent-friendly guide, I'll review the best chewable iron supplements for kids, including pros, cons, what to look for when considering an iron supplement, and how to know if your child even needs one!
When my kids were infants, I didn't worry too much about whether they were getting enough nutrients since they met their needs through a combination of breast milk, formula, and Vitamin D supplements! But once they became toddlers and started getting more picky, I began supplementing with a kids' multivitamin to make sure they were getting all of the vitamins and minerals they needed.
But iron supplementation was always a tricky one: I didn't want to overdose on iron, and many kids' iron supplements had a lot of added sugars, fillers, colors, or flavors that I didn't want to give to my own kids.
I first tried liquid iron supplements, which had a taste my kids didn't love and I wanted to avoid gummy vitamins because they often weren't vegetarian-friendly (due to the use of gelatin) and got stuck in my kids' teeth. So I went out to find a chewable kids' iron supplement that I could use instead!
And that was the inspiration behind my creating this guide to the best chewable iron supplements for kids.
Partnering with a dietitian and my team, I have researched all of the chewable kids' iron supplements on the market today, drawing on medical recommendations for vitamins, digging deep into what experts say, scouring product information, reading hundreds of verified user reviews, and more. (You can find all of our research guides in my " Best for Kids " section on my site).
I have summarized all of our findings in this guide, sharing pros, cons, and what to consider when choosing an iron supplement for your child. Let's get started!
A Disclaimer & How We Select Supplements
As a board-certified health coach and certified nutritionist, I support supplements that are rooted in science and are evidence-based. The FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market, so I prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by one of three independent third-party certifiers (USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com). This guide has also been medically reviewed and fact-checked by Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN. (See my About Me page for more info about Christina.)
Though I may receive a commission (at no extra expense to you) if you purchase through some of the affiliate links provided, I only recommend products I've researched, evaluated, consulted experts on, and would feel comfortable giving to my kids or have taken myself.
As always, I only share products that are the highest quality and that can help you and your family the most. By purchasing any of these products from the links below, you help keep this blog running, so thanks for your support!
Large doses of vitamins can be harmful, and clarity around dosing is important, especially for kids. Always speak with a healthcare professional about your supplementation needs before adding a vitamin or another similar supplement to your or your child's diet.
The information shared in this post is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read here. Always consult with your doctor to determine the proper administration and recommended dosage of vitamins.
All product prices are accurate at the time of this publication but are subject to change.
Do Kids Need Iron Supplements?
Iron is an important mineral for growth and development in kids, and all kids need iron in their diets ( source). Kids under the age of 5 are most at risk for iron deficiency ( source). Not getting enough iron can negatively impact brain development, behavior, cognition, and energy levels ( source).
Kids who are getting enough iron-rich foods in their diet (such as in fortified grains, legumes, leafy green vegetables, and meats) and don't have other health conditions may not need to supplement. However, kids who drink 24 oz of cow, goat, or soy milk per day, have restricted diets, don't eat enough iron-rich foods, or have certain other health conditions may need an iron supplement ( source).
If you are concerned that your child is iron-deficient, or your pediatrician has recommended an iron supplement, there are a few factors to consider. It's important to choose an age-appropriate supplement with clean ingredients and with the correct dosing for kids (i.e., adult iron supplements contain too much iron and will result in overdosing). Note: talk to your pediatrician before giving your child an iron supplement as this type of supplement is typically not beneficial for kids with normal blood iron levels or infants on iron-fortified formula.
Iron Dosing For Kids By Age
I've added this list here for reference, so you can match it to the dose in each of the supplements below based on the age of your child. Be sure to ask your pediatrician about dosing as well before starting an iron supplement for your child. The amounts below are the recommended Daily Values by age ( source).
- 0 to 6 months: 0.27 milligrams
- 7 to 12 months: 11 milligrams
- 1 to 3 years old: 7 milligrams
- 4 to 8 years old: 10 milligrams
- 9 to 13 years old: 8 milligrams
- 14 to 18 years (boys): 11 milligrams
- 14 to 18 years (girls): 15 milligrams
The Best Chewable Iron Supplements For Kids
What Should You Look For In A Chewable Kids' Iron Supplement?
- Third-Party Testing: This holds for all supplements, not just iron. It's important to verify that the supplements you choose are tested by an independent third party to confirm that they are free of (or very low in) heavy metals and other contaminants. (You can often find this information in the Consumer Reports database or the Environment Working Group database).
- The type of iron matters. I prefer carbonyl iron (which is an elemental iron) for easier-to-digest versions that are more gentle on kids' tummies. Ferrous, citrate, or sulfate forms may be less gentle for kids (source).
- Added Vitamin C, no calcium or magnesium. Vitamin C aids the absorption of non-heme iron found in most supplements, but calcium and magnesium can impair the absorption of iron (source - calcium, source - magnesium)
- Minimal added sugar: Ideally your supplement has less than 2 grams of added sugar per serving.
- Dosing. Make sure the supplement you choose contains the correct dose of iron based on your child's age. You can find a helpful list of dosing by age here.
Final Thoughts
While not every kid will need a chewable iron supplement, the good news is that there are quite a few options that contain no added sweeteners - whether natural or nonnutritive, are vegan-friendly, and contain a form of iron that is both easy on kids' tummies and easy to absorb. My top pick is Hiya Kids Daily Iron+ -it's a trustworthy brand that I use for my own kids, and my kids love it! I can vouch for the fact that it's gentle on tummies and that it tastes great.
Remember that when considering supplementation, it's always best to talk with your kid's doctor or dietitian first. If their doctor recommends an iron supplement, then any of the options on this list could be a good choice for your family!
