Calcium is necessary for your child's proper growth and development. However, "Kids Health" states that more than half of children do not get enough calcium. It is important to understand how much calcium is recommended each day and the best sources for your child to get what he needs.
Importance
Your child needs calcium to help build her bones and teeth. Bone density builds throughout childhood and begins to decrease in young adulthood. Not consuming enough calcium can cause her to develop osteoporosis, or bone loss, later in life. A severe calcium deficiency can result in rickets, a bone softening disease that can lead to poor growth and muscle pain. Calcium is also necessary for muscle contraction, nerve transmission and the release of hormones.
Intake
According to Kids Health, your child needs 500 mg of calcium every day between the ages of one and three years. His needs increase to 800 mg a day between four and eight years of age, and to 1,300 daily mg from nine to 18 years. "Spine Health" states that younger children seem to retain less calcium in their bones, so your child's intake until late childhood is especially critical. He also needs about 400 international units of vitamin D a day to help absorb calcium. Some milk products are fortified with vitamin D.
Sources
Sources of calcium include dairy products, nuts and leafy greens. Eight oz. of milk contains 300 mg of calcium, and 6 oz. of yogurt has 225 mg. You can find 80 mg of calcium in just 1 oz. of almonds. Babies under one year of age get all of the calcium they need from breast milk and formula.
Considerations
Your child may not get the daily recommended amount of calcium if she does not get enough dairy in her diet due to lactose intolerance, a milk allergy or a strict vegan diet. She may need to focus on getting calcium from fortified products such as soy milk, bread and cereal. If you are concerned that she does not get enough calcium, talk to her doctor about giving her a calcium supplement.
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