Many children older than the age of 3 do not get the calcium they need, according to the University of Arizona. In addition to building bone strength, calcium aids in muscle contraction, hormone release and the transmission of messages through nerves. If your child does not get enough calcium through diet, the body will take it from his bones. His bone density will also begin to decrease in early adulthood, another reason it is important to give kids plenty of calcium in childhood.
Amount
The amount of calcium your child needs varies according to her age. During her first year of life, she needs 270 mg of calcium a day. From 1 to 3 years of age, she needs 500 mg a day. That need increases to 800 mg a day from 4 to 8 years, and to 1,300 from 9 to 18 years.
Sources
Your child will get the calcium he needs from breast milk and formula during his first year of life. After that, he can get calcium from cow's milk and dairy products, like yogurt and cheese. Other sources of calcium that help build bone strength include soy products, orange juice, dark leafy green vegetables and chickpeas. Eight oz. of milk has 300 mg of calcium, while 1/2 cup of collard greens has 178 mg.
Considerations
If your child is a picky eater or cannot have dairy products due to a milk allergy or intolerance, look for varieties of cereal, bread and juice that are fortified with calcium. If you are concerned that she does not have enough calcium in her diet, talk to her doctor about the use of a calcium supplement. Be sure to follow the doctor's recommended dosage. The maximum safe amount of calcium that your child a day is 2,500 mg.
Recommendations
You can help increase your child's bone strength by encouraging him to get plenty of physical activity daily. It's also important to make sure he gets plenty of vitamin D, which helps his body absorb calcium, so make sure to purchase milk or other foods that are fortified with vitamin D.
Member Comments