Which should I take first, calcium or cod liver oil?

Calcium is an essential trace element for the human body and maintains the growth and development of human bones. Calcium deficiency may occur in every stage of life. Calcium tablets are a type of medicine used to supplement calcium. Cod liver oil is also a well-known nutritional supplement. Cod liver oil is generally given to babies to help them grow and develop. This is something every mother should know. So which one should you take first, calcium or cod liver oil? Let’s take a look at it together!

1. The teething time and order of each baby are different. This is related to genetics, nutrition and other factors. Generally, the teething time of the earliest one is 3-4 months, and the latest one is about one year old. Mothers don't need to worry. You can check if the baby is calcium deficient. If so, you can supplement it. You can also give the baby biscuits and other foods. Teething sticks can also be used to stimulate the eruption of deciduous teeth. If you want to supplement calcium, you can take cod liver oil in the morning and calcium tablets in the evening. Don't feed them within half an hour after feeding.

2. Can be eaten together. Premature babies should start taking calcium supplements 2 weeks after birth, while full-term babies should start taking calcium supplements after one month. It is recommended to continue taking calcium supplements until the age of 2 or 3 years.

3. There is also the problem of absorption when supplementing calcium. No matter how much you supplement, it will be useless if it is not absorbed. At the same time, supplementing AD (cod liver oil) can help calcium absorption and prevent rickets. Getting more sun exposure will also help calcium absorption. Be sure to go outdoors and not through glass, because ultraviolet rays cannot penetrate glass.

4. In addition, the imperfection of the infant's gastrointestinal system will also affect absorption. It is recommended to supplement some beneficial intestinal bacteria while supplementing calcium, such as Mami Love, Biostime, etc. (don’t worry, beneficial bacteria are not medicine, the more the better). The imperfection of the gastrointestinal system is also the root cause of childhood eczema. Therefore, for most children’s diseases, improving the gastrointestinal tract is the key.

5. Misconceptions about VD supplementation—Don’t take cod liver oil indiscriminately! Some mothers think that cod liver oil is vitamin D, and taking a few more drops will only do good and no harm. Little do people know that excessive intake of vitamin A or D can cause poisoning.

Acute poisoning of vitamin A and D in children can cause increased intracranial pressure, headache, nausea, vomiting, irritability, lack of energy, and bulging anterior fontanelle, which are often mistaken for meningitis. Symptoms of chronic poisoning include loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea, erosions at the corners of the mouth, hair loss, itchy skin, anemia, polyuria, etc.

If you find the above symptoms, stop taking cod liver oil, avoid sun exposure, and go to the hospital for emergency treatment immediately.

6. If you are sure that your baby can get enough sunlight every day, especially on his buttocks, hands and feet, and you are worried that taking too much cod liver oil may cause poisoning, you can take a cod liver oil pill every other day. Note that calcium supplements should not be mixed with milk. Because when calcium powder is mixed with milk, the milk will clump into small lumps, affecting absorption. Considering that taking calcium on an empty stomach may have some effects on the stomach, calcium and cod liver oil should be taken one hour after feeding.

7. Calcium gluconate oral solution can be given to babies.