How to supplement calcium for children most effectively

Nowadays, many children are born with a lack of trace elements in their bodies. This is because they did not absorb enough nutrients while in the mother's womb. Among these trace elements, calcium deficiency is the most common. Many parents will give their children calcium supplements when they are young. Both food and medicine can help children supplement calcium. So, how can children supplement calcium most effectively?

1. The best time for calcium supplementation for babies

0-5 months old baby:

For babies aged 0-5 months, breast milk is the main source of nutrition. Their calcium intake should be maintained at 300 mg. As long as they drink 600-800 ml of breast milk or formula milk every day, they generally do not need calcium supplements!

4-6 months old baby:

When the baby reaches four months old, it is time to start adding whole food. The intake of milk will be relatively reduced, while the demand for calcium will increase by 100 mg. At this time, the mother needs to supplement the baby with calcium.

1-3 years old baby:

The staple food of babies aged 1-3 years old changes from milk to cereals, and the calcium requirement increases to 800 mg. However, a survey shows that the calcium in the diet of infants and young children aged 1-3 years old in my country still does not meet their needs. Therefore, we need to prepare calcium-supplementing meals for our baby at this time. Milk and dairy products remain an indispensable component of the diet. It is best to drink about 400 ml of milk every day, and at the same time pay attention to arranging calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, bone soup, shrimp skin, fish, etc.

2. When is the best time for babies to supplement calcium?

According to the baby's growth and development, the best time to supplement calcium for babies is when the baby shows early symptoms of calcium deficiency, such as night sweats, night terrors, night crying, pillow rubbing, pillow baldness, etc., or when the baby has signs of developmental delay, such as the baby cannot lift his head after 2 months, cannot turn over after 4 months, cannot sit steadily at half a year old, cannot crawl at 7 or 8 months, cannot stand or walk when he is almost one year old, etc. These symptoms indicate that the baby is calcium deficient, and it is best to supplement calcium at this time.

If we distinguish by season, the best time for calcium supplementation for babies is in summer. The temperature is high in summer, and babies can get more sun exposure outdoors. Ultraviolet rays shining on exposed skin can synthesize vitamin D in the body and promote calcium absorption. Therefore, calcium supplementation in summer will get twice the result with half the effort.

3. When is the best time to take calcium tablets for absorption?

It is best to take calcium supplements in small amounts multiple times a day, during or after meals. Since calcium absorption peaks at night, it is best taken after dinner.

The so-called "calcium supplementation is more effective at night" is because the human body continuously eliminates old bone tissue at about 3 am. Therefore, in order to ensure that the calcium index in the body is more stable, it is suitable to supplement calcium sources at night. Be careful not to eat dinner too late to avoid the formation of urinary stones.

Some experts point out that the best time to supplement calcium is before going to bed every day. In three meals a day, the human body can take in 300 mg to 400 mg or even more calcium from food. When the body excretes calcium from the urine through the calcium regulation mechanism, the blood can be replenished from food at any time to maintain the blood calcium level. At night, the human body stops eating, but urine is still formed as usual. Part of the calcium in the blood continues to enter the urine. Therefore, in order to maintain normal blood calcium levels, the human body has to use the calcium store, that is, the calcium in the bones. Calcium supplementation before going to bed can provide a calcium source for this calcium regulation at night and block the body's mobilization of bone calcium. Moreover, calcium also has a sedative effect, which can help sleep.

Therefore, the best time to supplement calcium is before going to bed and between meals. There should be some time before going to bed, preferably half an hour after dinner, because the blood calcium concentration is lowest in the second half of the night and morning, which is the best time to supplement calcium.

Through the introduction in this article, we can know that it is best for babies to supplement calcium after three meals a day, especially after dinner. At the same time, the amount of calcium required by babies at different stages is different. If you want to supplement calcium for your baby, you'd better carefully refer to the contents of this article. It can help you supplement calcium scientifically and correctly.