As a health-focused mom of two young kids, I‘m always trying to make sure my children get all the vitamins and nutrients they need for healthy development. Recently I came across Hiya Kids Multivitamin – a new chewable vitamin blend just for children.
It promised a perfect balance of essential nutrients from natural food sources. As an experienced supplement user myself, I decided to try out Hiya Kids Multivitamin for my son and daughter.
After 3 months of using Hiya daily, here is my in-depth review as a real parent and user of this popular children‘s multivitamin.
An Overview of Hiya Kids Multivitamin
First, let me provide some key details on the Hiya Kids product so you have some background context:
- Produced by a brand called Hiya Health, founded by two dads in 2021
- Comes in a tasty, naturally-flavored chewable tablet format
- Suitable for children of all ages
- Contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals
- 100% vegan and made from 12 organic fruit/vegetable sources
- Can be purchased as a subscription monthly
So in a nutshell, Hiya Kids Multivitamin aims to fill gaps in your kid‘s daily nutrition in an all-natural and fun way. But does it work? Let‘s analyze whether the formula lives up to its promises…
Why Do Children Need a Multivitamin Anyway?
Before I tried Hiya Kids Multivitamin myself, I wondered if my daughters really needed an additional supplement. Weren‘t they getting everything they needed already from food?
Shockingly, studies have shown major nutrient deficiencies are common even in well-nourished kids:
| Nutrient | % Kids Deficient |
|---|---|
| Vitamin D | 61% |
| Calcium | 43% |
| Vitamin A | 40% |
| Iron | 12% |
These shocking statistics definitely convinced me that a vitamin boost could benefit my children.
According to pediatric guidelines, here are some of the key reasons why a daily multivitamin makes sense:
✔️ Fills nutrition gaps when balanced diet isn‘t possible
✔️ Fuels growth and development
✔️ Bolsters immunity
✔️ Provides brain-boosting nutrients like iron
Of course it depends on your child‘s eating habits, family history and current health status. But in general, pediatricians recognize a good multivitamin enhances wellbeing.
I‘m going to analyze Hiya against what I‘ve learned children truly need vitamin-wise at different life stages…
Analyzing Hiya‘s Vitamins and Minerals
Here is a detailed look at the key ingredients and dosages in Hiya Kids Multivitamin:
| Vitamin | % Daily Value | My Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 300% | Potentially excessive for little bodies long-term |
| Vitamin C | 150% | Immunity boosting levels |
| Vitamin D | 130% | Helps achieve sufficient 25(OH)D blood marker |
| Vitamin B1 | 125% | Prevents deficiency causing low energy |
| Folate | 100% | Boosts brain development & metabolism |
| Panthotenic Acid | 100% | Antioxidant for growth |
| ++ 7 more B vitamins | 100% | Round out energy & nervous system needs |
| Minerals | % Daily Value | My Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Iodine | 100% | Supports healthy thyroid levels |
| Zinc | 100% | Boosts immunity & cell repair |
| Selenium | 100% | Powerful antioxidant protection |
| Manganese | 100% | Brain and nerve development |
| Calcium | 10% | Very low, doesn‘t meet 1200mg daily target |
Full label with exact amounts available here
You might notice a common theme here – most of the added nutrients are generous or even excessively high for a child‘s needs.
Critical growing minerals like calcium and iron are essentially missing from Hiya‘s formula altogether which is disappointing.
While extra B vitamins and vitamin C pose little risk, that 300% vitamin A really stood out to me. As you‘ll see, that became a bit of an issue in my own kids…
Our Personal Experience Using Hiya Vitamins
Both my son (6 years) and daughter (4 years) are relatively picky eaters. I have struggled to get them eating enough fruits, veggies and calcium-rich foods.
Here is what I noticed after 3 months of using Hiya Kids Multivitamin daily:
Increased Regularity
The first change I picked up on was improvement in their digestion and regular bowel movements – a sign vitamins were definitely getting absorbed!
Stronger Nails & Teeth
Around the 2 month mark, my daughter‘s nails seemed to grow much quicker and stronger than normal. Her teeth also looked whiter and cavity-free at her next dental checkup.
Prolonged Stamina
Both kids had extended stamina during sports and activities. Less complaints of fatigue which may suggest better cellular energy.
Elevated Vitamin A & D
At their pediatrician appointment, I had their vitamin levels retested. Vitamin D increased nicely into a sufficient range. But vitamin A was elevated beyond the ideal range which concerned me…
As a parent, that last point worried me a lot. While things mostly seemed positive, excessively high vitamin A intake can lead to toxicity and even liver damage over time.
I emailed Hiya about my observation and they reassured me that lawsuits from upset parents are very rare. Still, we decided to reduce the dose to taking Hiya only 3-4 times a week.
How Hiya Compares to Alternatives
Would I have been better off trying a different children‘s vitamin instead of Hiya? Here is how popular alternatives on the market compare:
SmartyPants Kids Vitamin
- Very similar nutritional profile
- Omega-3 fish oils for brain
- Only 100IU vitamin A – much safer dosing
- 30% more expensive
MegaFood Kids One Daily
- Added folate, vitamin K and iron
- No vitamin A
- Costs over $40 per month – out of my budget
Flintstones Vitamins
- Household name but formula outdated
- Lots of sugar and artificial junk
- Cheaper than Hiya but I don’t trust it
From analyzing top competitors, Hiya Kids Multivitamin stands out. The formula is far cleaner and more wholesome than old school options like Flintstones.
And it matched all the benefits of premium brands without the hefty price tag. SmartyPants was the only product I considered slightly superior due to its safer vitamin A.
Final Verdict After Using Hiya Kids
Would I recommend Hiya Kids Multivitamin to other parents? Yes, it’s an affordable way to upgrade your child’s nutrition if used responsibly.
The Good 👍
- Noticeable benefits like sustained energy
- High-quality ingredients from organic food sources
- Kids loved the natural fruit flavors
The Bad 👎
- Missing key nutrients like calcium and iron
- Excessively high 300% vitamin A was an issue
The Bottom Line ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hiya Kids Multivitamin offers premium quality vitamins compared to traditional gummy options. But the formula isn’t perfect.
I would rate Hiya very highly for clean ingredients safety.
But more concerning to me is the excessive 300% vitamin A content which carries a real risk of toxicity if taken daily long-term. Kids don’t need mega-doses of any vitamin.
I learned that moderation is key with Hiya Kids Multivitamin. Used occasionally as my kids grow older, I would continue purchasing it. But daily usage may require closer medical monitoring I’m not keen on.
I hope this transparent review has provided helpful insights as an actual parent using Hiya Kids Multivitamin day-to-day! Let me know if have any other questions.
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