Feeling the need to supplement calcium is a timeless topic. When it comes to calcium supplementation, everyone thinks they are deficient and should take some. Some people even believe that calcium is not harmful, so it's okay to consume more.
This is especially true for children. Parents always think their children are lacking calcium and that supplementing calcium can help them grow taller and develop stronger teeth. As a new mother, how do you handle this in your daily life? Let's take a look at the following pitfalls of calcium supplementation.
Signs of Calcium Deficiency in Babies
1. Restlessness, crying without apparent reason, difficulty falling asleep, and easily waking up even after falling asleep;
2. Excessive sweating, even when the weather is not hot;
3. Yellow and thinning hair, hair loss on the pillow, and hair loss at the back of the head;
4. Delayed teething compared to children of the same age;
5. Delayed closure of the fontanels, muscle weakness;
6. Dull expression, lack of facial expressions, and delayed motor and language skills compared to children of the same stage;
7. Prominent forehead, forming a square-shaped head. There may also be beaded ribs, where the cartilage growth of each rib is connected like a string of beads, often compressing the lungs and causing poor ventilation, making the baby prone to bronchitis and pneumonia;
8. Loss of appetite and picky eating are also related to calcium deficiency. Insufficient calcium intake can lead to decreased appetite, lower intelligence, and weakened immune function.
Pitfall 1: Calcium Supplementation Is Not Just About Taking Calcium Pills
When taking calcium pills, it is advisable to take them with fish liver oil or other vitamin D preparations. Alternatively, let your child get more sunlight. Otherwise, no matter how many calcium pills your child takes, they will still be deficient in calcium.
Pitfall 2: Calcium Supplementation Does Not Have Much Impact on Bone Healing
In most cases, children with fractures do not lack calcium in their bodies, so calcium supplementation is not necessary. Due to reduced activity in children with fractures, renal tubular reabsorption of calcium increases, inhibiting the utilization of calcium by bones. Excessive and long-term calcium supplementation can increase the risk of digestive and urinary tract stones.
Pitfall 3: Giving Children Calcium Pills Can Replace Fish Liver Oil
Many parents believe that when giving their children calcium pills, they can skip fish liver oil, which is a source of vitamin D. This is actually incorrect. When supplementing calcium, it is essential to also consume vitamin D because it helps facilitate the absorption of calcium in children. If only calcium pills are taken without vitamin D, the actual absorption of calcium by children will not be optimal.
Pitfall 4: The More Calcium Supplementation, the Better for a Child's Growth
Many advertisements claim that "to grow taller, you must supplement calcium." As a result, some parents want their children to gain an advantage and start supplementing large amounts of calcium from infancy. Excessive calcium supplementation does not directly make a child grow taller; instead, it may lead to various health risks. A child's height is partly determined by genetic factors and the synergistic effects of a healthy endocrine system, as well as nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium. Excessive calcium supplementation can increase the burden on the kidneys and may even result in toxicity, which is not worth it. So parents should also be aware of this pitfall.
Pitfall 5: Starting Calcium Supplementation for Infants Immediately After Birth
Infants under 6 months of age do not need calcium supplementation. They only need a sufficient amount of vitamin D, whether they are breastfed or formula-fed. The calcium obtained in a day is enough to meet the needs of the child. After 6 months, calcium supplementation can be considered, mainly through calcium-rich rice cereal, formula milk, and other foods. Generally, if the infant does not show signs of calcium deficiency, there is no need to supplement calcium.
So now you know about these pitfalls of calcium supplementation, moms! In daily life, we need to supplement calcium correctly for our babies to ensure their healthy growth.
