During infancy, your child's bones are growing and getting stronger. The chief mineral that helps to provide this strength is calcium. If your infant does not consume enough calcium and the substances that help your body use calcium, like vitamin D and phosphorus, he is at increased risk for rickets, a bone-softening disease. By knowing how much calcium your infant needs, you can keep close watch over his daily intake and keep him healthy and strong.
Recommended Dietary Allowance
The recommended dietary allowance is the amount of calcium most infants need to maintain a healthy body. Newborns up to age 6 months need 200 mg per day, while infants ages 7 to 12 months need 260 mg, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. If your infant is between 1 and 3 years of age, 700 mg is the recommended intake. Human milk or infant formulas are the chief calcium sources in your infant's daily intake. The level of calcium depends upon the source. Work with your physician to determine an appropriate intake based on your infant's age and health.
Milk Allergies
Many babies experience allergies or acid reflux symptoms related to milk consumption. If your baby has a hard time tolerating your milk, your physician may recommend switching to an alternative formula made from cow's milk, soy or casein products. If you are feeding your infant with these sources, talk to your physician about how to incorporate enough calcium into your infant's daily intake.
Excess Intake
While you want to give your infant enough calcium in her daily diet to support growth, exceeding the daily recommended intake does not result in harder or healthier bones, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. By sticking to recommended levels, you can ensure your infants gets exactly the amount of calcium she needs.
Symptoms
Babies that do not get enough calcium rarely exhibit symptoms, according to MedlinePlus. However, if your infant appears jittery or has tremors or twitches, these can be symptoms of low calcium. A slower-than-normal heart rate and low blood pressure are other symptoms associated with low calcium levels. If you suspect your baby may not be getting enough calcium, your physician can perform a blood test to check for calcium levels. Low calcium levels in infancy typically do not continue on a long-term basis once treatment is initiated, according to MedlinePlus.
