Calcium is an essential nutrient for babies' growth and development. If children lack calcium, it can easily affect their physical development, leading to delayed growth and even inducing other diseases, which can have lifelong consequences for the child. During childhood, milk is one of the best sources of calcium for the human body and is easily absorbed. In addition to milk, children can also eat bean products regularly in their diet, drink more bone broth, chicken soup, etc., to reduce various diseases during growth and development.
What are good sources of calcium for children? Dairy products are the best source of calcium for the human body, and they have a suitable ratio of calcium to phosphorus, which is very beneficial for calcium absorption. Therefore, milk is known as the closest to a perfect food and is also the most ideal natural food. Generally speaking, breastfed babies do not need additional calcium supplementation within 4 months of birth. After that, mothers should give their children appropriate calcium supplements, such as bean products. After the child reaches two years old, due to the diversification of their diet and reduced intake of dairy products, calcium deficiency is more likely to occur. When calcium intake is insufficient, parents should supplement their child's calcium intake based on the principle of how much calcium is lacking. When a child shows symptoms of calcium deficiency, such as night sweats, late tooth eruption, or has been diagnosed with calcium deficiency at the hospital, parents need to provide therapeutic calcium supplementation for their child.
Best Times for Calcium Supplementation:
1. When a baby shows symptoms of calcium deficiency in the early stages, such as night sweats, night terrors, crying during sleep, rubbing the pillow, and bald spots on the head, and the baby exhibits delayed development, such as being unable to turn over after 2 months, unstable sitting after six months, inability to crawl or stand by 7-8 months, etc., it indicates that the baby is lacking calcium, and this is the best time to supplement calcium.
2. The best time for a baby to supplement calcium is in summer. During summer, when the temperature is high and there is more sun exposure, ultraviolet rays can promote the absorption of calcium in the human body due to the production of vitamin D. Therefore, supplementing calcium in summer can achieve better results with less effort.
