How to Give a Child Calcium

Calcium is a mineral that is important for building strong bones. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a daily intake of 500mg of calcium (about 2 servings of milk) for children ages 1 to 3 years old, 800mg (about 3 servings of milk) for children ages 4 to 8, and 1300mg (about 4 servings of milk) for children ages 9 to 18. Here are some tips for giving a child calcium.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Incorporate milk into your child's diet. Milk is the most common food that is high in calcium.
2. Add flavorings to milk like chocolate or strawberry syrups. Many of these are available in sugar-free options so you won't be adding sugar to the diet.
3. Use milk in some recipes that call for water. You can use milk for the recommended water portion, and use the water for the recommended milk measurement.
4. Make fortified milk by mixing 2 cups of liquid milk with 1/3 cup of powdered milk. Use the fortified milk for dessert recipes.
5. Add other high calcium foods to a child's diet. Leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, beans and oranges are good sources of calcium.
6. Serve calcium fortified orange juice as a drink option, and serve other dairy products like yogurt or cheese as snacks.
7. Give your child calcium supplements in the form of vitamins, but check with your pediatrician for recommendations. Some vitamins have little calcium, and some supplements are available with or without Vitamin D.

Tips & Warnings

• One cup of fortified milk has as much calcium as 1-1/2 cups of regular milk.
• Add powdered milk when cooking other meals.
• Add an instant breakfast packet to regular milk to boost the calcium intake.
• Read the labels on food, and look for high in calcium or fortified with calcium labels.