Do 4-month-old babies need calcium supplements?

When the baby is four months old, it is the right time to add complementary foods. The baby will also slowly start to grow teeth during this period. It is well known that calcium is important to bones, so whether a four-month-old baby needs calcium supplements has gradually come into the eyes of parents. This question actually depends on whether the baby himself has symptoms of calcium deficiency, because even babies can supplement the calcium needed by the body through the food they consume. There are some ways for babies to supplement calcium.

1. Dietary supplements are the best way to supplement calcium. Babies aged 4 months can already start eating complementary foods. If the baby's calcium deficiency is not very serious, you can add dried shrimps, beans, fish and other foods to the normal diet. You can also grind some nuts high in calcium into powder and dissolve it in warm water to feed your baby;

2. Taking calcium supplements is the most effective method. If the baby's calcium deficiency is severe, you can give the baby appropriate calcium supplements. At present, the calcium sources of calcium supplements can be roughly divided into three types: refined calcium carbonate purified from ore processing, calcium extracted from animal bones, and calcium extracted from marine organisms. However, as environmental pollution worsens, animals or marine life may contain large amounts of harmful substances in their bodies due to pollution of the surrounding environment, such as heavy metals such as lead and mercury. Once these heavy metal ions enter the human body, they will be deposited in the human bones again and are difficult to reverse, thus causing the heavy metal ratio to exceed the standard. Therefore, it is most appropriate to select refined calcium carbonate processed and purified from ore. Calcium carbonate has been clinically verified for many years, is widely used, and has few side effects. Especially imported brands have good purification technology and high safety. Parents can choose inorganic calcium products with rich calcium content, such as calcium gluconate zinc oral solution, calcium lactate, calcium tablets, etc. Calcium supplements can be taken between meals to reduce the impact of food on calcium. But it should be noted that calcium supplements cannot be taken for too long;

3. Take milk calcium. Milk calcium products are extracted from pure natural cow's milk, will not harm the stomach and intestines, and are especially suitable for babies to absorb. For 4-month-old babies, parents can cut the tail of the capsule and squeeze it directly onto a spoon or the baby's bottle mouth for the baby to lick. It can also be added to milk, juice or other complementary foods.

4. Get adequate sun exposure. Parents can often take their babies to outdoor activities. Exposure to ultraviolet light helps in the production of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps babies absorb calcium. At the same time, pay attention to protect your baby's head from direct sunlight and sunburn. You can use a transparent cloth to block ultraviolet rays, or apply some children's sunscreen before sun exposure; keep warm in winter. Do not let your 4-month-old baby bask in the sun through the glass window. Also, show as much skin as possible. Also, it is not advisable for a 4-month-old baby to be on an empty stomach when sunbathing, and it is best not to bathe the baby before sunbathing.