What to Do When Babies Lack Calcium
Many parents are concerned about whether their children lack calcium. Often, when babies experience physical discomfort, it is easy to associate it with a deficiency in calcium. "Does my baby have a flat spot on the back of their head because they lack calcium?" "Should I give my baby more calcium because they are teething late?" "My baby's hair is dry and thin, I should give them more calcium." Is this really the case? Many parents often believe that their babies lack calcium and hastily supplement them with calcium supplements, but the symptoms do not improve. Why is that?
Often, when babies lack calcium, they actually lack vitamin D
Lack of vitamin D is the "cause" of calcium deficiency
In fact, simply supplementing with calcium cannot solve the problem. First, it is necessary to supplement with vitamin D. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the small intestine, allowing calcium to deposit into rapidly growing bones, making them stronger. The main source of calcium is dairy products, which are natural sources of calcium. If a baby can consume 600 milliliters of milk every day, whether it is formula or breast milk, the calcium content in the milk is sufficient. However, if there is a lack of vitamin D, the calcium in the milk is not easily absorbed and utilized. Therefore, the lack of vitamin D is the "cause" and calcium deficiency is the "effect". If milk consumption is sufficient, vitamin D should be supplemented first. Calcium supplements should only be added when milk consumption is insufficient or if the baby is growing too quickly.
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines
Infants and young children grow rapidly, and their bones require more calcium to be deposited into their bone structure. This process is complex, but it is closely related to calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body. Vitamin D plays a vital role in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines, reduces the excretion of calcium and phosphorus in urine, increases the concentration of calcium and phosphorus around newly formed bone tissue, and promotes calcium deposition in bone tissue, making bones stronger.
If there is a lack of vitamin D, even with a high intake of calcium supplements, it is not easily absorbed and utilized
If there is a lack of vitamin D, even with a high intake of calcium supplements, it is not easily absorbed and utilized. Therefore, a deficiency in vitamin D can cause abnormal calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body, resulting in poor mineralization of the bones and bone diseases such as skull softening, which can manifest as a ping-pong ball-like feeling. It can also lead to conditions such as pigeon chest, "O"-shaped legs, or "X"-shaped legs. Early symptoms include excessive sweating at night, bald spots on the back of the head, restless sleep, and easy startle reflex.
How to Supplement Vitamin D
1. Get adequate sunlight exposure.
This is the most effective, convenient, and economical method. Allow your baby to engage in outdoor activities regularly. In spring and autumn, you can let your baby be in direct sunlight, while in summer, keep them under the shade of a tree. This allows your baby's skin to be exposed to ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light promotes the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol stored in the skin into vitamin D3 through photolysis. Sunlight exposure allows the skin to store vitamin D3 for later use, without causing an excess of vitamin D.
2. Take oral vitamin D supplements.
Apart from the liver of certain types of fish, few foods contain significant amounts of vitamin D. Milk (including breast milk and cow's milk), egg yolks, and meat contain very little vitamin D. Grains, vegetables, and fruits contain almost no vitamin D. The amount of vitamin D that infants and young children obtain from natural foods is not sufficient to meet their developmental needs. Generally, each person needs to supplement with 400-800 units of vitamin D daily, regardless of age. Premature infants, those with insufficient stores of vitamin D, or infants with rapid growth require increased amounts. Therefore, oral vitamin D supplementation should be appropriately increased. Vitamin D supplementation can generally start half a month after birth and can be continued until the age of 18.
