How to supplement calcium for a one-year-old baby

Calcium is one of the important elements needed by the human body. Our body must consume a certain standard level of calcium every day, and calcium supplementation can be made up through our daily diet. Adults or teenagers can supplement calcium through medication, but for babies under one year old, try not to use medication. If the following symptoms of calcium deficiency are found, you can give your baby dietary supplements. As shown below:

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in babies

1. Calcium deficiency in children is actually mainly a lack of vitamin D, also known as rickets. Calcium deficiency in children may manifest in three aspects: neurological, skeletal and muscular.

2 Mild calcium deficiency or the early stages of calcium deficiency mainly manifests itself in neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as irritability, disobedience, crying, and strange temper; restless sleep, such as difficulty falling asleep, night terrors, early awakening, and crying after waking up; excessive sweating, which has nothing to do with the climate, that is, sweating when the weather is not hot and not wearing too many clothes, even when you shouldn't sweat.

3 Because of excessive sweating and itchy scalp, children like to shake their heads and rub their heads when lying down. Over time, the hair on the back of the head is rubbed off, forming baldness on the back of the head. Calcium deficiency is only considered when these phenomena exist to a greater or lesser extent. If sweating is the only symptom, calcium deficiency cannot be diagnosed.

4 When calcium deficiency is severe, mental and neurological symptoms will worsen, convulsions will occur, and bone and muscle manifestations will also appear, such as late closure of the fontanelle, late teething, late standing and walking, pigeon chest, hunchback, bow legs, soft and weak muscles, etc. Calcium deficiency is not only harmful to humans, it can also affect intelligence, cause a decrease in immunity and resistance, and make children more susceptible to colds, fevers, and diarrhea.

Two issues that should be paid attention to when supplementing calcium for infants and young children

1. Calcium absorption is the most important

The absorption of calcium does not entirely follow people's wishes: the amount of calcium supplemented is the same as the amount absorbed; the more calcium supplemented, the more absorbed. The amount of calcium absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract mainly depends on the baby's calcium nutritional status at the time, and is regulated by substances such as activated vitamin D hormone and parathyroid hormone in the baby's body.

Vitamin D can promote the absorption of calcium in the intestines. When vitamin D is deficient, no matter how much calcium is supplemented, it cannot be absorbed well. Vitamin D can also inhibit the excretion of calcium by the kidneys and promote the decalcification of old bones.

2. Food is the safest way to supplement calcium

Generally speaking, calcium supplementation through food is safer than calcium supplementation through medicine, and eating normal food will not cause calcium overdose.

Breast milk and formula milk should be the first choice of calcium supplements for infants. For older babies, in addition to dairy products, they can also be given soy products, dried shrimps, fish and other foods to supplement their diet.