How to supplement zinc for babies

For children, it is important to emphasize nutrition in their daily diet. Children are relatively young and are easily picky eaters. If they are picky eaters, it may lead to an unbalanced nutritional diet, which will affect the child's development. For example, if a child lacks zinc, it will have an adverse effect on the child. Breastfeeding should be encouraged for infants, and zinc-containing foods should be added appropriately. If the zinc deficiency is serious, zinc should be supplemented through medication.

How to supplement zinc for children

1. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is encouraged, and it is recommended to use milk substitutes, such as cow's milk, for the baby at least three months later. 62% of the zinc in breast milk can be absorbed, which is incomparable to cow's milk. The zinc content in colostrum is four to seven times that of serum zinc.

2. Add zinc-rich foods

Relevant data shows that animal foods contain relatively high levels of zinc, and about half of the zinc can be absorbed by the human body. This is because the protein in food can be broken down into amino acids, which assist in the absorption of zinc. If the baby is bottle-fed, then after 4 months you can add some zinc-rich complementary foods, such as minced lean meat, walnut kernel powder and other foods.

3. Eat a balanced diet

When a child is 4 years old, the zinc obtained from daily diet is enough to meet the body's needs. If we do not pay attention to the rationality of the dietary structure, children are likely to develop bad habits of being picky eaters and having anorexia. The correct way to supplement zinc for children is to mix coarse and fine grains to achieve a balanced diet.

After children turn four, their daily diet should provide them with adequate amounts of zinc. Children's diet should be arranged reasonably, with diversified and nutritionally balanced menus to stimulate their appetite. Sweets are not good for children's zinc supplementation, so the amount of sweets they consume should be controlled as much as possible on a daily basis.

4. Zinc supplementation

Before giving your child zinc supplements, be sure to have the child checked at the hospital. Only after a confirmed diagnosis can zinc sulfate syrup or zinc gluconate be used. The general medication period should be limited to two to four months, and the medication should be stopped promptly after the zinc content returns to normal. What needs attention is that zinc supplementation should be proper and not excessive, otherwise it can easily cause human poisoning and induce a series of diseases such as iron deficiency and anemia.

Tip: When giving your child zinc supplements, you must do so under the guidance of a doctor and not treat him or her casually. Zinc is a trace element and needs to be supplemented properly. Excessive intake can cause poisoning and gastrointestinal discomfort, such as vomiting and diarrhea. It can also cause fever, anemia, growth retardation, joint bleeding, bone decomposition, kidney failure, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, etc. In addition, excessive zinc intake can also produce adverse effects, such as having a rejection effect on other nutrients, making it impossible for white blood cells to function, making it easier for bacteria to invade the body, and reducing immune function.