Calcium is necessary for bone and teeth development. Inadequate calcium intake can affect your child's present bone growth and may contribute to weak bones later in life. It is important to understand how much calcium your child needs each day. You may need to evaluate his health and eating habits to determine if he would benefit from a calcium supplement.
Calcium Needs
The amount of calcium that your child needs depends on her age. According to the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, a child one to three years of age needs 500 mg of calcium a day. Older children and adolescents from nine to 18 years of age need 1,300 mg of calcium a day.
Food Sources
Sources of calcium include dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, as well as sardines, broccoli, spinach and fortified juices and cereals. Most children get the nutrients they need from a balanced diet and rarely need supplements. A review published in a 2006 edition of "The Cochrane Library" and conducted by family physician Tania Winzenberg and her team looked at several studies that added extra calcium to the diets of children. According to Winzenberg, the review showed that calcium supplements did not make much difference in the bone mass of children who were already healthy.
Supplement Needs
If your child has a poor appetite or a highly selective diet, he may benefit from a calcium supplement. Food allergies, chronic diseases and restrictive diets, such as vegan diets, can make it difficult for your child to get adequate calcium intake, and he may benefit from a calcium supplement. He may also need one if he suffers from a disease that directly affects the health of his bones.
Recommendations
If you are concerned about your child's diet, talk to her doctor. Her doctor can help you determine if a calcium supplement is necessary by asking about her eating habits or by performing a blood or urine test to measure the calcium in her body. If a supplement is needed, the doctor can also help you choose one that is appropriate for your child's age.
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