HealthMatters
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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
Hiya Kids Daily Iron+
Hiya Kids Daily Iron+ is my best overall pick for a chewable iron supplement for kids! Hiya is one of my favorite vitamin brands overall, and while they already have a multivitamin, probiotic, and bedtime vitamin, their Iron+ is their newest addition and is a great complement to their multivitamin (which does not contain iron).
Their supplement uses a special form of iron (carbonyl iron) that is easier for kids to absorb and is gentler on their tummies, with vitamin C added to aid absorption. The Vitamin C used in Hiya is a whole-food-based Vitamin C (a mix of acerola cherry and sodium ascorbate), and acerola is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C (source). Some research has shown that Vitamin C from acerola is better absorbed than synthetic ascorbic acid (source).
It contains no added sugar, artificial dyes, or gummy fillers and is sweetened with natural ingredients. And it tastes great!! There is no metallic aftertaste—my kids absolutely loved it and happily eat it every day.
I also love how eco-friendly this brand is. When you order Hiya Kids Daily Iron+, you’ll get a refillable glass bottle (that your kids can decorate with an included sticker pack), and each month you’ll get a refill pouch delivered to your doorstep.
This chewable iron is suitable for kids age 2+ all the way through their teenage years, and is one of the highest quality options on the market today.
It’s also important to note that Hiya intentionally made their iron supplement separate from their multivitamin, because zinc and calcium can hinder the absorption of iron (source). For maximum iron absorption, Hiya suggests you give these to your kids two hours after a meal and not with their multivitamin.
Price: $30 (but you can get 50% off your first order and Hiya offers discounts for families with more than one child)
Where To Purchase: Hiya’s Website
Form: Chewable Tablets
Iron Type: Carbonyl iron
Dose: 7 mg
For Ages: 2 years and up
Recommended Use: 1 tablet, once per day
Third-Party Certified: Yes
Servings Per Container: 30 tablets / 30 servings
Other Ingredients: Vitamin C, Sweetener blend (mannitol, monk fruit extract), plant cellulose blend, coconut oil powder, vegetable stearic acid, natural flavors and color (beetroot), organic bamboo extract, vegetable magnesium stearate, citric acid
Designed for optimal absorption
Includes Vitamin C (a mix of acerola cherry and sodium ascorbate – a better-absorbed form of Vitamin C than ascorbic acid – see more details at the sources linked above)
Vegetarian and vegan-friendly
Reusable bottle with eco-friendly refills every month
Does include sugar alcohols (mannitol)
More expensive than some of the other options on this list
Renzo’s Iron Strong For Kids
Renzo’s Iron Supplements for Kids is another great option for a chewable kids iron supplement. Similar to Hiya’s, it uses carbonyl iron as its source of iron, which may be easier to absorb and have less side effects than other forms of iron (source). It also includes Vitamin C to enhance absorption.
It can be used for kids aged 2+ and is also sugar-free (but keep in mind that to achieve this, Renzo’s uses mannitol and monk fruit instead of added sugar). This chewable tablet basically dissolves in your child’s mouth and can be dissolved in water, juice, or smoothies, too.
Renzo’s states on their website that their vitamins are made in an NSF-certified facility and are tested by a third-party lab for purity. (Note: NSF-Certified is a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certification that signifies a food product meets the public health and safety standards set by the NSF – source). They also offer a money-back guarantee, so if your child doesn’t like it, you can contact them and they will offer you a refund.
Their iron supplement, similar to Hiya, is free of artificial flavors, colors, non-GMOs, and they are gluten-free and vegan.
Price: $17.99
Where To Purchase: Amazon, Walmart, Renzo’s website
Form: Chewable, dissolvable tablet
Iron Type: Carbonyl iron
Dose: 9 mg
For Ages: 2 years and up
Recommended Use: 1 tablet for kids under 4, 2 tablets for kids over 4; once per day
Third-Party Certified: Yes, according to Renzo’s website
Servings Per Container: 90 tablets / 45 servings for kids over 4, 90 servings for kids under 4
Other Ingredients: Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), mannitol, natural flavor, magnesium vegetable stearate, and monk fruit extract
Vegan, gluten-free, allergen-free
Sugar-free, no artificial colors or flavors
Includes sugar alcohols (mannitol)
Some kids don’t like the taste (according to customer reviews)
Ascorbic acid is the form of Vitamin C used, a less optimal form of Vitamin C than the form used in Hiya
NutritiPure Kids Chewable Iron Supplement
NutritiPure Iron is a lesser-known brand, but they make meltable tablets that use carbonyl iron and are for kids aged 2+. Thanks to the meltable nature of their tablets, they’re very easy for kids (and especially toddlers) to take! And most of the customer reviews rave about how good they taste.
This is also one of the more affordable brands of iron, since each bottle has 90 tablets—coming to only $0.18 per tablet!
These iron supplements for kids are also free of any artificial colors or flavors and are sugar-free (but are sweetened with sugar alcohols).
Price: $16.82
Where To Purchase: Amazon
Form: Meltable tablets
Iron Type: Ferronyl/Elemental carbonyl iron powder
Dose: 9mg
For Ages: 2 years and up
Recommended Use: 1 tablet for kids under 4, 2 tablets for kids aged 4 and up
Third-Party Certified: Unclear from their website
Servings Per Container: 90 tablets per container / 45 servings for kids over 4, 90 servings for kids under 4
Other Ingredients: Mannitol, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide, monk fruit extract, natural flavor
Absorbable form of iron, gentle on tummies
Vitamin C to aid absorption
Includes sugar alcohols (mannitol)
Ascorbic acid is the form of Vitamin C used, a less optimal form of Vitamin C than the form used in Hiya
According to reviews, some customers say the tablets don’t dissolve well
NovaFerrum Yay! Chewable Iron Supplement For Kids
NovaFerrum is a popular iron supplement for both kids and adults and has sold their liquid iron supplement for quite some time. They have recently released this chewable version for anyone who doesn’t like liquid or gummy vitamins!
Each batch of their supplements are third-party tested for heavy metals and their supplements use an easy-to-absorb form of iron that’s also gentle on digestion.
NovaFerrum was created by a parent who wanted to give his daughter an iron supplement that actually tasted good! Keep in mind though, that while these are sugar-free, this supplement uses a combination of mannitol, xylitol, and monk fruit to achieve that sweeter taste.
Also, this supplement can only be used for kids aged 4 and up, so it’s not appropriate for toddlers or younger kids.
Price: $17.55
Where To Purchase: Amazon, on Nova Ferrum’s website
Form: Chewable tablets
Type: Elemental iron (in polysaccharide complex)
Dose: 18mg per tablet
For Ages: 4 years and up
Recommended Use: 1 tablet per day
Third-Party Certified: Yes
Servings Per Container: 90 tablets / 90 servings
Other Ingredients: Mannitol, xylitol, vegetable fatty acids, natural flavor, magnesium stearate, monk fruit extract, silicone dioxide
Clinically proven to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective at raising iron levels. (JAMA June 13, 2017 Volume 317, Number 22)
Well-absorbed form of iron that’s less likely to cause nausea or digestive discomfort
Includes Vitamin C to enhance absorption
No artificial colors or flavors
Can’t be used for kids under age 4
Includes sugar alcohols (mannitol, xylitol)
Ascorbic acid is the form of Vitamin C used, a less optimal form of Vitamin C than the form used in Hiya
Does have 18mg of iron per tablet, which may be too much for some kids
The type of iron used may not be as effective as other forms (source – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5815003/)
VitaWorks Kids Chewable Iron
These chewable iron supplements come in a fruity orange flavor that kids seem to love (according to customer reviews) and include Vitamin C for enhanced absorption. They’re vegan, vegetarian, non-GMO, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They are also kosher, halal, and nut-free to accommodate as many diets as possible.
VitaWorks states that all of their supplements are backed with the endorsement of an acclaimed family doctor and that they do rigorous testing on their products. They are also made in a GMP-certified facility: GMP stands for “good manufacturing practice.” A GMP-certified facility ensures products made in that facility adhere to strict quality standards. GMP facilities are regulated by the FDA to minimize the risks involved in producing certain types of products, including supplements (source).
Keep in mind, this supplement uses ferrous fumarate, which is a form of iron that may have some side effects and may not be as easy to digest (source).
Price: $15.67
Where To Purchase: Amazon, Walmart
Form: Chewable tablets
Iron Type: Ferrous fumarate
Dose: 10mg iron in 2 tablets
For Ages: 2 years and up
Recommended Use: 2 tablets, once per day
Third-Party Certified: Unclear, VitaWorks does state that they test their products on their website
Servings Per Container: 60 tablets / 30 servings (2 tablets per serving)
Other Ingredients: Sugar, turmeric root (color), natural flavors, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, citric acid, and silica
Includes Vitamin C for enhanced absorption
Made in a GMP-certified facility
Doesn’t use carbonyl iron
Ascorbic acid is the form of Vitamin C used, a less optimal form of Vitamin C than the form used in Hiya
May not be 3rd party tested (we couldn’t verify this)
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.
FAQs
There are a few cases in which you may want to consider giving your child an iron supplement (note: this list is not comprehensive, and serves more as common examples):
1) Your child has a diagnosed iron deficiency. Note: This would be diagnosed by your child’s pediatrician, so speak with them if you are concerned about iron deficiency.
2) Kids with limited diets (either picky eaters or kids who eat a diet low in iron; e.g., vegan or vegetarian).
3) Toddlers who drink too much milk (more than 24 ounces per day), which is concerning because the extra calcium can impair iron absorption (source).
4) Teens with heavy periods may be at risk of iron deficiency (source).
If your child has normal blood iron levels and normal ferritin levels (which is a marker of iron storage – read more about ferritin here), and/or your child eats a diet high in iron, it’s unlikely you’ll need an iron supplement. Your pediatrician or pediatric dietitian can best guide you on whether supplementation is necessary for your child or not.
Some symptoms include: low energy, tiredness, poor appetite, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath during exercise, brittle nails, and more (source).
Vitamin C, which can be consumed through the diet with foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and potatoes, can enhance the absorption of non-heme iron (both from supplements or from plant-based foods as well) – source.
Using a more gentle form of iron (like carbonyl iron) can help make it easier to digest. Taking the supplement with or right after food, with vitamin C, or taking a smaller dose of iron can help minimize side effects like nausea, as well.
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!
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