As a mom of three, I’ve tried just about every “clean” kids’ multivitamin that TikTok and Amazon could throw at me. I just wanted something simple, healthy, and gentle on their tummies — but wow, was that hard to find! So I did my homework. And after testing Hiya, Mary Ruth, Grüns, and finally First Day, here’s where I landed.
If you want truly clean ingredients, go with First Day.
Let’s talk about what no one tells you: Even the “healthy” vitamins often hide artificial or harmful ingredients that can upset digestion.
- Hiya uses monk fruit, which might be “natural”, but it’s been known to cause bloating and diarrhea.
- Mary Ruth’s Kids Gummy contains erythritol and xylitol, which I later learned is super toxic to dogs, and honestly, that freaked me out.
- Grüns gives you two options: one with 7g of sugar (which is a LOT for a vitamin), and one that’s sugar-free but sweetened with Reb M and allulose, which didn’t sit well in my son’s stomach.
First Day is the only one that skips that artificial stuff entirely. There are no artificial colors (no red dye 40 or red dye 3 here!), flavors, or sweeteners. Each gummy even includes a blend of 21 different organic superfoods and 9 essential vitamins, so your kid gets a dose of healthy antioxidants and nutrients. They are naturally sweetened with organic fruits and veggies, it shows in the taste and how well my kids digest it.
If you’re fighting “hidden hunger,” go with First Day.
I used to think a colorful plate meant my kids got all the nutrients they needed. But apparently, thanks to modern farming, even fruits and veggies don’t hold the same nutrition they once did. That’s how I learned about something called hidden hunger—when kids look well-fed but are actually nutrient-deficient. And the effects? Everything from picky eating to trouble focusing, poor sleep, and outbursts.
Hiya and Mary Ruth pack in a ton of vitamins, but honestly, I didn’t notice much difference. Grüns focuses more on energy and greens, but not much on the nine key micronutrients most kids miss.
First Day targets what’s missing from modern diets—from methylated folate to B1, B12, and vitamin D—and that’s what finally made a difference in my kids’ sleep and behavior.
After a few weeks, the cranky afternoons mellowed out, and bedtime wasn’t the battle it used to be. That was the “aha” moment for me.
If you're comparing ingredient transparency, it's a tie between First Day and Hiya.
Let’s give credit where it’s due: Both First Day and Hiya are pretty open about what’s in their formulas.
Both Hiya and First Day have the Clean Label Purity Award, so they show what’s in each gummy and test for heavy metals and contaminants. Plus, they both have parent-friendly websites breaking down what’s included, what’s not, and why.
So while First Day still edges out in overall clean formulation, when it comes to being upfront and clear with parents, I’ll call this one a draw.
If your kid has a sensitive stomach, go with First Day.
I have one picky eater and one with a sensitive belly, and most multivitamins make things worse before they get better. Folic acid, a form of vitamin B9, is used in many supplements, but it can’t be absorbed by 40% of people. This means it builds up in the body, which can be really dangerous. That’s why First Day uses methylfolate for optimal absorption, helping you get the ingredients you need without any complications.
First Day is the only one that didn’t mess with my kids’ digestion. There was no bloating, gas, or tummy complaints, and that was reason enough for me to stick with it.
If you care about sugar (and your sanity), go with First Day.
Let’s be real: most kids’ vitamins are just gummies in disguise. Grüns (low sugar version) has 7g of added sugar! Hiya and Mary Ruth both have 0 sugar, but my kids could not stand their texture and taste.
First Day has up to 75% less sugar than most competitors, with only 2 grams, and the flavor is still a hit in my house. It’s a win-win: my kids love it, and I don’t feel guilty saying yes daily.
Final Verdict: First Day Wins My Vote
After weeks of trial and error (and more label-reading than I ever expected), First Day is the only kids’ multivitamin I feel good about giving my kids every single day.
It skips the junk, targets real deficiencies, and actually helps with mood, sleep, and focus. It does not contain weird sweeteners or artificial dyes, and most importantly, my kids love it.
If you're in the same boat I was — frustrated, confused, and tired of wasting money on “meh” vitamins — give First Day a shot. It finally gave me the peace of mind I was looking for.
