What calcium supplements should babies take?

Babies grow and develop at a relatively fast rate, and their requirements for calcium are very high. Once a child is calcium deficient, it will often affect his growth and development. Parents should pay attention to this aspect. For babies, the most important way to supplement calcium is breast milk, followed by drinking some formula milk or milk, which both have a good calcium supplement effect. Another thing to note is that you must pay attention to the intake of vitamin D, because this vitamin helps the body absorb calcium.

Standards for calcium supplementation for infants and young children

The values ​​provided in the "Dietary Nutrient Reference Intake for Chinese Residents" published in 2000 are as follows:

0-5 months requires 300 mg/day;

5-12 months requires 400 mg/day;

1-4 years old requires 600 mg/day;

4-11 years old need 800 mg/day.

How to supplement calcium for infants and young children

The most suitable source of calcium for infants and young children aged 0 to 3 years old is breast milk, followed by formula milk and cow's milk.

How much calcium is contained in dairy products?

Breast milk: about 34mg/100ml Formula milk: about 50mg/100ml Cow's milk: about 100mg/100ml

Pay attention to your vitamin D intake.

While supplementing calcium, you should also pay attention to the intake of vitamin D. The daily intake of vitamin D is 400 units and should not exceed 800 units. Sunbathing can supplement vitamin D for babies. Be careful not to expose them to excessive sunlight through glass.

Precautions for calcium supplementation in infants and young children

1. Calcium supplements should not be taken with plant-based foods

Most plant foods contain phytic acid and oxalic acid, which can combine with calcium to form polymers, thereby hindering the absorption of calcium supplements. The same is true for fruit juice. For vegetables such as spinach that contain high oxalic acid, it is best to blanch them first (to make the oxalic acid dissolve in water) and then stir-fry them. Rice should be soaked and flour should be fermented to reduce the phytic acid in them.

2. The time for calcium supplementation should be properly controlled

Many people are accustomed to taking calcium supplements during the day, but calcium absorption peaks at night, so calcium supplements before going to bed are more effective.

3. Calcium needs to be supplemented continuously

The role of calcium in maintaining bone health is a long-term process. Therefore, calcium supplementation requires long-term and continuous use of calcium preparations.

Three criteria for selecting calcium for infants and young children

1. Safety of calcium preparations

Calcium supplements that do not use animal bone meal or marine organisms as raw materials. Currently, it is not recommended to use animal bone meal and marine organisms, such as shellfish, as raw materials for making calcium supplements, because toxic substances such as heavy metals are easily deposited in animal bones. If people take them for a long time, it will cause irreversible poisoning.

2. Evaporated milk flavor

For babies aged 0 to 3 years old, breast milk or cow's milk is the main food during this period, so the taste of milk is the most suitable taste for babies. Do not let your baby try too strong a flavor, otherwise it will affect the development of the taste buds and cause the baby to be picky about food. Therefore, when careful mothers choose calcium supplements for their babies, it is best to choose calcium supplements that are suitable for the baby's taste. Generally, the baby's teeth begin to erupt around 6 months old, and all the baby's teeth will grow out by the age of 3. For children whose teeth are in the development stage, especially those whose teeth have not yet grown, it is more appropriate to choose granular calcium supplements.

3. Small doses

When choosing a calcium supplement, the first thing to consider is whether it is convenient for your baby to take. A small spoonful can easily do the trick. Generally speaking, 5 ml of water is just the right amount to meet the baby's development needs, and it is gentle and stress-free.