Babies Mag

Calcium Requirements of Dairy-Free Babies and Toddlers (1 month-5 years)

Calcium Requirements of Dairy-Free Babies and Toddlers (1 month-5 years)

Raising dairy-free babies and toddlers can be a difficult balance. This will help parents find the greatest dairy-free yogurt, cheese, and milk alternative products, and many other wonderful ways to make sure that dairy-free babies and toddlers grow up strong and healthy. Dairy products are high in calcium, so if the child refuses or restricts dairy products, they must include non-dairy calcium sources in their diet. 

There are several calcium-rich drinks made from plants that are supplemented. What’s the best dairy alternative drink for my dairy-free babies and toddlers and yogurts? However, it was important to share the benefits of some additional calcium-rich non-dairy options for dairy-free babies and toddlers in this article on the blog. 

Let’s see how to ensure that dairy-free babies and toddlers get their recommended daily calcium intake. 

Why Babies and Toddlers Need Calcium

Calcium is essential for the coagulation of blood, healthy muscle and nerve function, and the growth of strong teeth and bones. For a non-dairy baby’s health in general, they must get a suitable amount of calcium. The good news is that it’s not hard enough to achieve.

Recommended calcium intake for dairy-free babies and toddlers

Let’s discuss the calcium requirements for dairy-free babies and toddlers of different ages, which range from six months to five years. Every step will be really easy.

  • Six to Twelve Months: 210 milligrams of calcium daily, about. They’ll require more as they become stronger because they need to develop strong bones.
  • One to three years: Parents are encouraged to aim for 500 milligrams of calcium daily as their child gets older.
  • Four to Eight Years: An active toddler is healthy for approximately 700 milligrams of calcium throughout the day. 

Daily need for calcium in children

AgeRecommended daily intake of calcium for ages 
0–12 months525 mg
1-3 years350 mg
4-6 years450 mg
7–10 years550 mg
11–18 years oldGirls:Boys:
800 mg1000 mg
Breastfeeding1250 mg

Don’t worry too much about these figures, though; it’s easy to meet calcium needs if dairy-free babies and toddlers eat a variety of foods from the following five food groups throughout the day.

  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Milk products or alternatives
  • Legumes, meat, poultry, fish, and eggs
  • Cereals and grains 
Calcium Requirements of Dairy-Free Babies and Toddlers (1 month-5 years)

Dairy-free baby and toddler yogurt

Here are some excellent dairy-free yogurt choices for dairy-free babies and toddlers:

  • Forager Cashewgurt plain 
  • Kite Hill unsweetened 
  • Forager Cashewgurt plain unsweetened
  • Lavva Original

Milk for Dairy-Free Babies and Toddlers

Here are a few calcium-rich, dairy-free milk alternatives for dairy-free babies and toddlers:

  • Vitasoy Oat Milk
  • Pure Harvest Oat Milk 
  • Chobani Oat Milk
  • Calci Plus Vitasoy 
  • Vitasoy Calci Plus 
  • Sanitarium So Delicious Cold Soy Milk 

How to select dairy-free foods for my toddler and baby

When purchasing dairy-free products for dairy-free babies and toddlers, keep these two things in mind:

Look for Foods That Have Been Supplemented: Search out alternative dairy products that have been enriched with calcium supplements. Parents can make sure the baby is getting the recommended amount of calcium each day by using them.

Aware of Hidden Salt and Sugars: Being aware of undetected sugar and salt in those products is essential to being a calcium-savvy user. Select foods with less refined sugars and salts for a more nutritious option. 

Calcium bioavailability

It is the amount of calcium that the human system can use after digesting it from food. Calcium absorption from different foods varies significantly. Vegetables like broccoli and kale are very good (about 50–60%), calcium-set tofu, enriched drinks, and bread are good (approximately 30%), and beans, nuts, and sesame seeds are not very beneficial (about 30%), even though they may still contain small amounts of calcium. About 5% of spinach’s calcium is poorly absorbed. 

Although broccoli and other green vegetables are great providers of calcium, the rule is essential to remember that they usually require large servings, which could be difficult for young children and dairy-free babies and toddlers. 

Calcium AbsorbabilityPlant-Based Food
Good (about 30–50%)Organic dairy products alternative drinksCalcium-set tofu, such as Cauldron brandSpring greens, spinach, watercress, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are examples of vegetables.Mineral water that contains calcium
Fair (around 20%) Red, white, and pinto beans.
Poor (less than 10%)Raspberries and sesame seeds
Very low (about 5%) Spinach

Non-dairy foods that are high in calcium for infants and toddlers

  • One orange is equivalent to 60 milligrams of calcium.
  • 60 milligrams of calcium in 170 g of broccoli
  • 60 mg of calcium in 40 g of kale
  • One piece of fortified bread contains 150–180 mg of calcium.
  • 180 mg of calcium is equal to 50 g of calcium-set tofu.
  • 180 mg of calcium in 3 tablespoons of enriched ready oats
  • One tablespoon of tahini is equivalent to 60–70 milligrams of calcium.
  • 60 milligrams of calcium is equal to 25 g of ground almonds. 
  • Salmon and tuna in cans with added nutrients
  • Almond butter or almond meal

Dairy-free meal example for infants and young children:

Here is an example of a day in the life of dairy-free babies and toddlers. Change the textures and portions to the child’s age and developmental stage.

  • Breakfast: Weetabix with fortified oat milk and berries.
  • Morning snack: wrapped banana in chia seeds.
  • Lunch: canned fish (in a wrap with vegetables for toddlers), cooked egg, and fruit
  • Afternoon snack: apples and almond butter (for toddlers)
  • Dinner: chicken with rice, broccoli, and carrots. 
Calcium Requirements of Dairy-Free Babies and Toddlers (1 month-5 years)

Calcium-enriched meals for dairy-free babies and toddlers

When making meals for dairy-free babies and toddlers, keep these items on hand.

  • Add almond butter and tahini to nearly every meal.
  • Add chia seeds or almond meal to almost every meal.

We know it may be very difficult to balance life with a child who is dairy product-sensitive, and it takes a lot of research. Remember that a pediatrician or family physician is only a phone call away if one has any questions or problems. 

Conclusion

For dairy-free babies and toddlers’ general health and development, it is important to make sure that infants and toddlers who are dairy-free get sufficient amounts of calcium. Calcium is essential for maintaining healthy muscles, promoting nerve transmission, and creating strong bones and teeth. When following a dairy-free lifestyle, parents can still supply their dairy-free babies and toddlers with the calcium they need and consist of a range of foods high in nutrients.

It is important to choose calcium-enriched dairy-free products and to keep a lookout for extra sugars and salts. Having knowledge about the absorbed amount of calcium from different meals helps improve absorption significantly. For example, leafy greens like kale and broccoli have higher absorption rates than other plant-based foods.

Dairy-free babies and toddlers can efficiently meet their calcium needs by consuming a wide variety of foods from all dietary groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and fortified milk replacements. Parents should also think about consulting with medical professionals for specific instructions and possibly supplements, if necessary. Parents may effectively meet their children’s nutritional needs and promote healthy growth in a dairy-free household by being informed and active about their dietary choices. Raising healthy, dairy-free babies and toddlers may be rewarding and manageable with careful planning and creative meal preparation.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked