Calcium Supplement for Kids to Support Strong Bones
Children and calcium supplements: Not just a coincidence as we try to get through the modern food epidemiological forest
However, with picky eating on the rise and a decrease in food quality, many children do not get enough calcium through their diet alone.
And why parents everywhere are looking to organic, proven calcium supplements for their children to help them grow up at their best.
Keep reading to discover the best kinds of calcium supplements, why they matter, and how you can support your child in naturally achieving healthy bone growth for life.
Let’s dive in.
Child May Need a Calcium Supplement
Calcium is very important for the growth of your child.
It also maintains healthy bones and teeth, nerve function, and helps your muscles to move.
The problem, however, is that the majority of children are not receiving adequate dietary calcium alone (1).
These reasons include hectic schedules, ease of processed foods, nd dairy intolerance, to name a few.
When your child eschews milk or dairy, particularly within a wholly plant-based eating plan, the danger of nutritional D insufficiency is considerably increased.
Unfortunately, you can feed a kitten a reasonable diet, and they are still not absorbing enough calcium into the body for different reasons, like low vitamin D levels or magnesium.
Then comes in a supplement that can help cover that last mile.
How to Select a Calcium Supplement for Children
Not all calcium supplements are the same.
The form of calcium matters.
Calcium citrate is best absorbed (2) (independent of stomach acid) and, therefore, does not require stomach acid to absorb like calcium carbonate; #2) with or without food.
Products do contain some calcium lactate, which is well-tolerated but does not provide as much calcium per serving.
Additionally, search for supplements with vitamin D (which is crucial for the right absorption of calcium) (3).
Another highlight of calcium and magnesium is muscle function and nerve health.
Most importantly, read the label.
Opt for zero artificial sweetener, zero synthetic color, and no fillers.
Opt for those that are natural and free from additives, which are also likely to be ones that your child will actually take!
Forms of liquid or chewable, gummy versions are naturally much more child-friendly.
Symptoms of Low Calcium in Your Child
Deficient nutrient intake: It is not always easy to see if you have a deficiency or not.
Your little one may be signaling you without you even knowing it.
Symptoms include muscle cramps, slow growth, brittle nails (4), and frequent bone fractures. For children, you may notice that they walk on their toes or waddle in young children.
Or you could see changes in behavior or sleep patterns as well, since calcium imbalances are often accompanied by irritability or poor quality rest.
Hypocalcemia is a more serious manifestation that can result in tinging or possibly seizures.
Certainly, you should always talk with your pediatrician if any concerns of deficiency arise, or at a minimum, there is a family history of bone-related issues.
If you are seeing small symptoms occurring in your child on a day-to-day basis, this can only mean it's their body slowly saying HELP ME!
Calcium needs vary by age.
According to health guidelines:
- 1–3 years (about 700 mg/day)
- Ages 4–8 need 1,000 mg/day
- Kids 9–18: up to 1,300 mg/day
- These amounts are more naturally met with a combination of diet and supplementation if necessary.
Excess calcium, however, can be counterproductive.
Too much calcium might affect the absorption of iron and zinc or cause rare kidney problems (5).
Of course, the tried and true solution to everything in life is balance. Remember—stick with dosages and consult your doctor or health professional before taking a supplement.
Calcium-Rich Food for Kids: #2 Natural Sources of Calcium in the Diet
Best Dietary Sources of Calcium:
- Plain yogurt and hard cheese
- Dark leafy green vegetables such as kale and bok choy
- Canned salmon with bones
- Tofu made with calcium sulfate
- Fortified plant-based milks
- Forget dairy: if you can't or won't even do that for your child, there are other ways.
Blend greens into a smoothie, tuck tofu into a stir-fry, or slice their cereal with almond milk.
So keep it tasty and lighthearted, and calcium-rich meals will fall into the rhythm of your family life, rather than being a fight.
Wild Advice: Healthier Kids Calcium Supplement
We think, at Wild Food, that your children's generation deserves natural foods instead of the manufactured artificial powders and waxes.
This is why we source our supplement ingredients with clean, sustainable compounds without any artificial fillers in any of our products.
We are driven by purity and simplicity.
The calcium formulas we use were designed with full-body absorption in mind, providing the forms of calcium that your child's body easily recognizes and utilizes.
With integral co-nutrients, such as vitamin D and magnesium, our products are the natural solution to your child's well-being.
That is, of course, if you start out with a Dobie-sized [low-dose] supplement and work your way up from there as recommended, for instance, here.
Seek advice from your pediatrician, especially if your child has any existing health conditions.
These steps may be an additional one, but your kids are worth that extra step.
Final Thoughts
From building bones for a lifetime to providing your child with the foundation to move, grow, and live with energy and confidence.
A tree cannot stand tall without strong roots, and in like manner, your child will struggle to reach their full potential if they do not have optimal nutrition.
When you focus on getting them from their natural sources and with clean supplementation, not only are you meeting a nutrient requirement, you're investing in the rest of your life.
So, if you want to do that, check out our range of family-friendly, real food, ethically produced supplements.
One wilder, less gentle dose at a time.
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FAQs about Calcium Supplement for Kids
Is it safe to give a calcium tablet to a child daily?
If calcium needs are not met and your child will not drink milk, may be given daily as calcium supplement. Make sure to ask your doctor and follow the recommended dosage for their age.
Which Type of Calcium is Easier for Kids?
Calcium citrate and calcium lactate are usually advisable for youngsters, consequently faster inclusion. Try to find a product that, in addition, contains vitamin D and magnesium.
Signs of Calcium Deficiency in Kids?
Must know symptoms: muscle cramps, weak nails, irritability, slow growth, frequent fractures. In more extreme cases, it may lead to degrees of numbness or even seizures.
What is the best calcium supplement for kids who don't drink milk?
Liquid or chewable calcium citrate and vitamin D are usually the best forms. More palatable and easier on the stomach.
So am I going for a calcium syrup or a gummy kid?
It just depends on what your child prefers. Syrups go down more easily for toddlers, whereas older kids like the taste and sensation of eating gummies.
Related Studies
1. Title: Deficiency of Daily Calcium and Vitamin D in Primary School Children
This study found that 50.68% of boys and 70.71% of girls aged 6 to 11 had decreased daily calcium intake, with clinical calcium deficiency observed in a significant portion, highlighting the prevalence of calcium and vitamin D deficiency in children.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9105478/
2. Title: A Meta-analysis of Calcium Bioavailability: A Comparison of Calcium Citrate with Calcium Carbonate
This meta-analysis concludes calcium citrate is absorbed 22-27% better than calcium carbonate, whether taken with or without meals, indicating superior bioavailability.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11329115/
3. Title: Calcium and Vitamin D: Skeletal and Extraskeletal Health
This study explains the critical role of vitamin D in enhancing intestinal calcium absorption, increasing absorption efficiency from 10-15% without vitamin D to 30-40% with adequate vitamin D levels.
Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2669834/
4. Title: Rickets: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Symptoms of calcium deficiency in children include bone pain, muscle weakness, dental deformities, impaired growth, fractures, and skeletal deformities such as bowlegs and abnormal spine curvature.
Link: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000344.htm
5. Title: Calcium and Iron Absorption—Mechanisms and Public Health Relevance
This study demonstrates that calcium intake can inhibit iron absorption, regardless of calcium form, underscoring potential mineral absorption interference when calcium is consumed in excess.
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21462112/
