We all know how important calcium is for building bones. This is especially true when it comes to our kids.
Growing children need to eat calcium-rich foods to ensure strong and healthy bones. Nevertheless, sometimes getting enough calcium into your kids is easier said than done.
It’s hard to control what your kids are eating if they are outside or at school. Lots of children are fussy eaters. If you find yourself encountering these problems, adding a calcium supplement to your little cherubs’ diet could be the way to go.
What do we need to think about when offering our children daily supplements? What are the best calcium supplements for kids? After some research I’ve found the answers to those questions.
Although there are a number of supplements available, I’ve narrowed it down to the 5 which I feel are the best options. Read on to find out which product is the best for your kids.
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Our #1 Rated
Childlife
Liquid Calcium with Magnesium, Natural Orange Flavor
Liquid calcium and magnesium are combined with zinc and vitamin D, in a highly absorbable formula.
Our #1 Rated
Childlife
Liquid Calcium with Magnesium, Natural Orange Flavor
Liquid calcium and magnesium are combined with zinc and vitamin D, in a highly absorbable formula.
When our children are babies, they grow rapidly. Their bones get longer and stronger to allow them to take those first precious steps.
To ensure that they grow correctly, we need to be mindful of the nutrition we give our kids. Often this is easier as small babies when most of their nourishment comes from breast milk or formula.
During this time, all of their essential vitamins and minerals are delivered via their liquid diet. As our little ones continue transition from babies into children, getting those essential nutrients is just as important for growth as in those first few months.
As our bones grow continuously throughout childhood and bone development is not complete until adolescence, getting enough calcium into a child’s diet is crucial.
Many people don’t realize that calcium is not only responsible for bone growth. It’s also a big contributor to making our muscles and nerves work correctly. (source)
If the calcium levels within your blood are low your body will take stores of calcium from your bones to compensate. Where children are concerned, being low on calcium can leave them at high risk of developing the bone softening disease rickets. (source)
If you are concerned your child is not receiving enough calcium adding a daily supplement could reduce the risk of any negative effects associated with calcium deficiency.
How to Choose a Calcium Supplement
You’re probably wondering what to look for in a calcium supplement for your kids as well as how to choose the best product for your particular child.
We usually put a lot more thought into what we put into our children’s bodies then we do our own! The first thing I would say is while thinking about your child’s calcium intake also consider how much vitamin D they are getting daily.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for our bodies to be able to absorb calcium. So if you’re not getting enough vitamin D, taking a calcium supplement isn’t going to improve your calcium intake much. (source)
Many people throughout the world, especially those who do not live in the sun year round, are deficient in vitamin D. Therefore, if where you live has miserable falls and harsh winters trying a calcium supplement with added vitamin D could be the best option.
Dosage
You also need to consider which supplement is best for your child depending upon their age.
How often have you sent your husband to the pharmacy for something for the kids only to get it home and realize it’s for a different age group? I know I have on many occasions!
That is why it’s important to understand how much calcium your child needs to know which supplement will be the best option for you.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends the following dosage for optimum bone health:
1 to 3 years old — 700 milligrams of calcium daily
4 to 8 years old — 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily
9 to 18 years old — 1,300 milligrams of calcium daily
Preference
One last thing to consider is how your child takes medicine. Are they happy to swallow tablets? WIll they only accept liquid form? These preferences will also determine which product would be best for your family.
For those kids who hate anything they must chew this is the answer. It’s a liquid calcium supplement which also contains magnesium, vitamin D3 and zinc.
I also like it not only because of the extra vitamins and minerals but also because it’s suitable for children of all ages. Give your child between one teaspoon and two tablespoons per day depending on their age.
It comes in a 474 ml bottle, which on just a teaspoon a day should last quite a long time. The orange flavour is generally palateable.
If your kids hate taking supplements but love gummies these are a great option for your household.
These gummies have both calcium and vitamin D3 with 60 gummies per bottle for 2 months supply. They are sugar free, gluten-free and vegetarian friendly which is great and come in a nice citrus lemon flavor.
They are suitable for both kids and adults so one bottle ensures the whole family gets enough calcium. The only downside I found is that obviously lemon is quite a potent flavor and therefore does not suit everyone. But if you are looking for an easy to take calcium supplement suitable for the whole family, this may be a solution for you.
This is another chewable tablet option which includes vitamin D3. There are 90 chewables per bottle (around 6 weeks worth) which are vanilla frosting flavored.
This product is also gluten-free and Kosher friendly. However, a number of people who’ve used them stated that the vanilla frosting flavor is not very nice and they are very chalky. So if your kids don’t like a chalky texture this might not be a success.
It’s not always easy to get the kids to take their vitamins and supplements. But this calcium product makes it simple.
Instead of awkward tablets which some children can find difficult to swallow, this is in powder form. Each box contains 30 individual sachets that are simply opened and tipped onto the tongue. Tasty and easily dissolvable, they make taking calcium simple. Alternatively, the powder can be mixed into a child’s favorite drink.
On top of the 200 mg of calcium in every sachet, there is also magnesium and vitamin D. These ingredients improve the bioavailability of the calcium and allow it to be more readily absorbed.
This product is a chewable tablet that offers 250mg of calcium per serving of two tablets.
They are vanilla flavored and many say their kids love the flavor. There are 90 chewables per bottle meaning you get just under 6 weeks worth at two a day.
A downside is that these also contain soy, so if your child has an intolerance these are not an option.
Personally I like the Child Life liquid calcium the best. it’s always easier to get children to accept liquid medication even when they are not feeling well so a liquid supplement is wonderful.
It not only has calcium but other vitamins and minerals which help calcium absorb into the body. You can be sure your child is getting everything they need from that one spoonful a day.
When researching the best calcium supplements for kids I tried to find the best options in all forms of supplements. Personally the liquid supplement would work best for our family, however, you may find a gummies or chewable option is better for you.
In all honesty with how fussy kids can be it may be a matter of trial and error to find the best product for your little darlings. But the important thing is ensuring your kids get enough calcium, regardless of which form it comes in.
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