How old can babies take calcium supplements?

Calcium can promote bone growth and plays a vital role in the physical development of children. When babies first start to grow up, breast milk and formula can meet their body's nutritional needs. However, as the body develops faster, it is necessary to supplement the child's body with calcium appropriately. As a parent, it is important to manage your time well. So, at what age can babies supplement calcium? Let’s take a look.

What should be paid attention to when supplementing calcium for infants

1. Avoid oxalic acid during calcium supplementation

Most plant foods contain phytic acid and oxalic acid, which can combine with calcium to form polymers, thus hindering the absorption of calcium supplements. Spinach, snow vegetable, amaranth, water spinach, bamboo shoots, onions, wild rice stems, edamame, etc. all contain a large amount of oxalic acid, which can easily combine with calcium and affect absorption. Therefore, during the calcium supplementation period, it is best to blanch the vegetables in hot water, or take calcium products 2 hours before meals or 3-4 hours after meals. Rice should be soaked and flour should be fermented to reduce the phytic acid in them.

Many people are accustomed to taking calcium supplements during the day, but calcium absorption peaks at night. You can drink some milk or take calcium-rich foods or medicines before going to bed. It is better to give your baby calcium supplements during this period of time. Calcium also has a calming effect and can help your baby sleep well.

3. Calcium needs to be supplemented continuously

The role of calcium in maintaining bone health is a long-term process. Therefore, calcium supplementation requires long-term and continuous use of calcium preparations.

4. It is best to supplement calcium with its "partner" nutrients

When vitamin D is deficient, the calcium absorption rate is 10% to 15%. If vitamin D is supplemented, the absorption rate can reach more than 40%. Therefore, you must supplement vitamin D while supplementing calcium. In addition, it is recommended to supplement some beneficial intestinal bacteria while supplementing calcium to effectively solve the problem of baby's prone to constipation when supplementing calcium.

If you take calcium products while eating, it will still affect the absorption of calcium. Only 20% of the calcium mixed in food can be absorbed. Calcium supplements should be taken at least half an hour apart from breakfast, lunch and dinner, and should not be mixed with milk.

6. Avoid excessive calcium supplementation

Calcium supplementation should be taken in moderation, not the more the better. The daily calcium intake of infants and young children is about 400 mg. If the amount of calcium intake greatly exceeds the above standard, they may suffer from constipation and even interfere with the absorption and utilization of other trace elements such as zinc, iron, and magnesium. It may also cause calcium deposition in organs and tissues such as the kidneys and cardiovascular system, leading to the potential risk of kidney stones.