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Calcium Calcium plays an important role in bone and tooth development, blood clotting, and maintaining healthy nerves and muscle. You don't usually need to worry about a child's calcium intake until they are weaned from the breast or the bottle. Once they are on solid foods, you need to ensure they are still getting enough calcium. For children aged 1 to 3 the recommendation is 500 mg a day, from 4 to 8 they need 800 mg a day. This comes out to be at least three serving of dairy a day. Calcium Rich Foods
  What if your child doesn't like, or can't drink milk? · Try flavored syrups, chocolate or strawberry, in your milk, or better yet real fruit. · Try a lactase enzyme supplement, so their body can digest the milk. · Put cheese on salads and in sandwiches. · Try milk shakes or fruit smoothies. · Offer cream soups frequently. · Offer an ice cream cone, pudding, or yogurt for dessert. · Offer cereal for breakfast, and make sure they drink the milk. · Experiment!! Try some of the calcium rich foods; see what works for you, and your child. Sources: For further information on calcium and children, try these web sites: For recipes that use dairy products try this web site: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Return to Child Nutrition
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