Do 6-month-old babies need calcium supplements?

As we all know, calcium is an essential trace element for the human body. People of all ages need calcium supplements. As long as young people have a normal diet, they generally will not be calcium deficient. In contrast, children and the elderly are prone to calcium deficiency. Calcium deficiency in the elderly will cause osteoporosis, and calcium deficiency in babies will affect their physical development. So do six-month-old babies need special calcium supplements?

Do 6-month-old babies need calcium supplements?

The recommended calcium intake for 6-month-old babies is 300-400 mg/day. Babies who are bottle-fed and breastfed gradually begin to add complementary foods, but babies eat small amounts, so the main source of calcium intake is still milk powder and breast milk. Therefore, mothers can refer to the nutritional label on the outer packaging of milk powder to calculate the amount of calcium contained in the amount of milk the baby drinks every day. Calculation method: The amount of milk powder the baby drinks every day (g)/100*the calcium content in every 100g of milk powder (mg) = the baby's daily calcium intake (mg). If the recommended calcium intake for a 6-month-old baby is not met, parents can provide additional supplements for the baby.

What to eat for calcium supplement for 6-month-old baby

The body of a 6-month-old baby is not fully developed yet, and the digestive system is still to be developed. Here are some ways to supplement calcium through daily diet.

1. Milk is the best source of calcium for children. Cow's milk, goat's milk and breast milk are all rich in calcium.

2. Green leafy vegetables are high in calcium, such as rapeseed, snow vegetable, water spinach, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, etc.

3. Soy products are also rich in calcium, such as soybeans, tofu, and bean curd skin.

4. Eggs, fish and shrimp, animal bones, dried shrimps, kelp, seaweed, and fungus are all rich in calcium.

In addition to dietary supplements, exposing the skin to sunlight is also a good way to absorb calcium. Now is late spring and early summer, and the sunlight is getting stronger. You can let your baby bask in the sun for 2 hours a day, but don't expose him directly to strong sunlight or through glass, because ultraviolet rays cannot penetrate glass. If your baby sweats while basking in the sun, wipe it off with a towel and then give him boiled water to replenish water. The best time for babies to bask in the sun is between 9-10 in the morning and around 4 in the afternoon.

How to supplement calcium for 6-month-old babies

Have mom and dad provided their baby with enough calcium? Calcium supplements are not just calcium tablets. There are many types of infant calcium supplements on the market. Generally speaking, they are divided into three categories: calcium, cod liver oil and AD drops. Cod liver oil and AD drops both contain VD to promote calcium absorption. In fact, when it comes down to it, it all revolves around the key point of calcium supplementation for babies. It’s not difficult to figure it out, just take a look at the following 3 summaries.

Three tips for calcium supplementation

1. Calcium supplementation - direct and indirect: Calcium supplements contain calcium, which directly supplements calcium; cod liver oil and AD drops contain VD, which indirectly promote calcium absorption.

2. Direct method - organic calcium and inorganic calcium: Organic calcium is gently absorbed and is suitable for babies; inorganic calcium absorption depends on stomach acid, and is not suitable for babies around one year old who have less stomach acid. Common types of organic calcium include calcium lactate, amino acid chelated calcium, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate, milk calcium, etc. Common types of inorganic calcium include calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, activated calcium (made by calcining shellfish shells, highly irritating, not recommended), etc.

3. Indirect method - cod liver oil and AD drops: Cod liver oil has a relatively low VD content and is used for daily nutritional supplementation, suitable for babies with mild calcium deficiency; AD drops have a high VD content and are suitable for babies with severe calcium deficiency, but be careful to prevent vitamin overdose when using them. Because babies can also get calcium and VD from formula milk, breast milk, complementary foods and other foods, the calcium and VD content of some calcium supplements is about half of the recommended amount.