Why does my child’s feet hurt in the middle of the night?

During the growth and development period, all aspects of a child's skeleton are in a state of development, and the bones of a child are prone to pain during the growth period. Generally, they are prone to foot pain at night, or leg pain in the middle of the night. Parents should supplement their children with more calcium and sufficient vitamin D. Taking vitamin D can promote children's absorption of calcium.

Why does my child have foot pain in the middle of the night?

Children are at the peak of bone growth and development, so they will experience growing pains, which mostly occur at night when they are sleeping. It is recommended that you supplement your child with adequate calcium and vitamin D every day. Vitamin D can promote calcium absorption. Dairy products are the best source of calcium and are easily absorbed. It is recommended to give children 400-500 ml of milk every day. Let children participate in more exercise to help bone growth.

What to eat to promote bone growth?

1. Dairy products

Calcium is the foundation of strong bones. The most common source of calcium is undoubtedly milk. 100 grams of milk contains about 110 mg of calcium. Drinking 300 ml of milk a day can meet 30% of an adult's daily calcium needs. In addition, its amino acid composition is basically similar to that of the human body, and its digestion and absorption rate is very high. It also contains more vitamin D, vitamin B12, etc.

2. Green leafy vegetables

Certain vegetables are also extremely rich in calcium, such as cabbage, spinach, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, tomatoes, etc. Since most vegetables contain oxalic acid, which reduces the absorption of many minerals and trace elements including calcium, making the calcium absorption rate in vegetables lower, you need to consume enough to supplement the insufficient calcium outside of dairy products, and different types of vegetables and milk should be consumed separately.

3. Vitamin D Foods

Vitamin D can promote intestinal absorption of calcium, maintain blood calcium concentration, and promote bone mineralization. Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, osteoporosis, immune, blood and other systemic diseases. Food sources of vitamin D include animal liver and egg yolk, but the content is low. It is recommended to synthesize it naturally through the skin, that is, get more sun exposure, so encourage children to do more outdoor activities.

4. Foods containing magnesium

60%-65% of the human body's magnesium is found in bones. Magnesium plays an important role in the formation of new bone. Seaweed, whole grains, almonds, peanuts and spinach are all rich in magnesium. Eating peanuts 2-3 times a week, 5-8 peanuts each time, can meet a person's magnesium needs; drinking more water can also promote the absorption of magnesium.

5. Seafood

Shrimp and other fatty fish provide a wealth of nutrients that promote bone growth. They contain calcium and vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption, and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil supplementation has been shown to reduce bone loss in older women and may prevent osteoporosis.

6. Foods containing potassium

Potassium can prevent calcium loss and make bones stronger. If you want to supplement potassium, the safest and most effective way is to eat more fruits such as bananas, oranges, plums, raisins, vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, yams, and seaweed foods such as seaweed and kelp.