From Tall Claims to Quick-Fix Lies: The Supplement Scam Parents Fall For on Social Media

For every mum who’s ever been targeted at 2am by an influencer holding a bottle of magic syrup and saying, “My baby hasn’t cried since.”

INTRO: Welcome to the Algorithm’s Favourite Playground — Your Insecurity

It always starts the same way: You’re bleary-eyed, scrolling at midnight, baby screaming in the background, and BAM — a reel appears. A glowing mum, perfect skin, no eye bags, holding a bottle of “Natural Baby Brain Booster Plus++” or “Toddler Calm Chewies: Sleep Like Never Before.”

She swears it changed her life. Her child is now talking in full sentences at 10 months and sleeping 12 hours straight. You? You haven’t peed in peace in three days.

You pause. You consider. You click.

And just like that, you’ve entered the shady underworld of parenting supplement scams — where the lies are sweet, the packaging is pastel, and the science is absolutely nonexistent.

THE PROMISE: “Fix Your Child Fast — No Effort Required!”

Here's what many of these supplements claim:

• Boost your baby’s brain development

• Cure ADHD overnight

• Make your toddler talk, focus, sleep, read, and do taxes

• Reduce tantrums, aggression, shyness, pickiness — basically turn them into a Montessori-bred robot child

All with a single drop/sachet/gummy.

No need for messy things like parenting, therapy, nutrition, patience, or actual medical advice. Just add powder.

“Parents are constantly being sold the fantasy of control — that one product will fix their fear,” says Dr Aida Salim, child psychologist. “That’s exactly what these ads exploit.”

THE CATCH: There’s No Proof. Like, At All.

Most of these miracle supplements:

• Have zero peer-reviewed studies

• Are not approved by paediatric organisations

• Contain vague “natural” ingredients like “herbal blends” or “smart root extract”

• Hide behind phrases like “traditionally used”, “supports wellness”, and “nutritional booster” — which mean nothing legally

And here’s the kicker: In Malaysia, many child-targeted supplements are not classified as medicine. Which means they can slip through regulatory cracks — as long as they don’t directly say “cures disease.”They just imply it. Loudly. With glitter.

THE TACTIC: Sell It Through Your Friend. Or Someone Who Feels Like One.

Influencers don’t need medical degrees. They need followers. And they’ve mastered the art of:

• Soft-sell manipulation (“I didn’t believe it either, but then…”)

• Fake testimonials (bonus points for badly Photoshopped before-after pics)

• “Mummy-to-mummy” guilt tactics

• Affiliate links masked as “sharing only because I care 💗”

“What you’re seeing isn’t a recommendation — it’s a sales pitch,” warns Dr Noraini Mat Zain, consultant paediatrician. “A child’s body is not an experiment for brand collaborations.”

BUT IT'S JUST VITAMINS, RIGHT? What Could Go Wrong?

Plenty. Here’s what your child doesn’t need:

• Mega doses of unregulated herbal extracts (that could interact with real meds)

• Gummy vitamins with more sugar than benefit

• “Sleep drops” that may contain melatonin or sedatives without proper dosage

• Iron, zinc, or vitamin A toxicity from unnecessary excess

• Long-term dependence on “calming” aids that mask deeper issues

“Supplements are not a replacement for nutrition, therapy, or proper medical care,” says Dr Noraini. “And too many can actually cause harm.”

WHO’S MAKING MONEY? (Hint: Not Your Paediatrician)

Let’s follow the trail:

• The “health brand” makes profit from fear

• The influencer makes affiliate commission

• The distributor gets a cut

• You? You get a lighter wallet and a lot of regret

Meanwhile, your child still isn’t sleeping, talking, or focusing — because no powder fixes developmental needs.

SIGNS YOU’RE BEING SCAMMED

Look out for:

• Vague ingredients

• No MOH or KKM registration number (MALxxxxxxxT)

• “Doctor-approved” — with no actual doctor listed

• “Traditionally used to...” with no scientific citations

• Overpromises like “cure,” “instantly,” or “guaranteed”

Bonus red flag?“Only RM150 for a limited time!” Because fear sells faster when there’s a countdown timer.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO INSTEAD (That Actually Works)

• Ask your real paediatrician before giving any supplement

• If you're worried about development? Get an actual assessment

• Prioritise sleep, food, play, connection — not quick fixes

• Remember: kids develop at their own pace, not by algorithm

FINAL WORD: Don't Be a Target — Be a Tank

You are not a bad parent because you’re tired or desperate or just want a break. But don’t let snake oil salesmen sell you shortcuts that don’t exist.

The parenting journey is hard enough without being manipulated by someone’s aesthetic wellness brand.

If a product sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is.

And if your gut says “hmm…” — trust that more than any influencer ever holding a bottle of “Genius Baby Drops 4.0.”

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Footnote: Be careful when you see advertisements saying "This supplement can make your kid 180 cm taller", " This supplement can make your kid smarter", "This supplement can make your kid talk faster", "This supplement increases your kid's appetite" and so on.