Patient's question:
I don't know if he has this condition, and his mental state isn't good either. Could you please tell me which children's nutritional supplements are good for infants and young children to supplement calcium?Doctor's answer:
First, get appropriate sun exposure. Frequently allow the baby to be active outdoors. In spring and autumn, you can directly expose the baby to sunlight, while in summer, provide shade under trees. This ensures the baby's skin is regularly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV exposure can promote the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol stored in the skin, through photochemical reactions, into vitamin D3. Sunlight exposure allows the skin to store vitamin D3 for later use, preventing an excess of vitamin D. When sunbathing, avoid doing so through glass windows, as very little UV light can penetrate them. Additionally, try to expose as much skin as possible to increase the skin's synthesis of vitamin D.Second, oral calcium supplements. There are many types of calcium supplements, and parents can choose those with a higher calcium content, such as inorganic calcium like calcium carbonate or Calcium Plus tablets, which dissolve instantly in the mouth. There are also specialized calcium supplement sets specifically designed for infants, which should be given to the child in a fixed daily dose. Generally, supplementation should begin between two to four weeks after birth and continue until the child is 2.5 or 3 years old. When taking calcium supplements, it is essential to also supplement vitamin D to promote calcium absorption and utilization in the intestines. Avoid mixing calcium supplements with milk, rice porridge, or thin congee, as phytic acid in food can hinder calcium absorption, leading to reduced calcium uptake in the body. Calcium supplements are best taken between meals, as this allows the body to utilize calcium more effectively. Taking them with meals can reduce calcium absorption rates.
Third, liquid calcium. Liquid calcium products are extracted from pure natural cow's milk and are gentle on the stomach, making them particularly suitable for infants and young children to absorb. Liquid calcium has an oily consistency, such as Calcium Plus liquid calcium, which is imported from New Zealand. For infants under one year old, the capsule can be opened, and the liquid can be directly squeezed into a spoon or onto the baby's bottle nipple for the baby to lick. For children over three years old, they can chew the capsules directly. Alternatively, liquid calcium can be added to milk, juice, or other complementary foods, offering convenient feeding options, making it especially suitable for infants and young children.