Benefits of Sufficient Dietary Calcium for Linear Growth in Infants

Ensuring your infants receive a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is paramount for parents. During their crucial growth phase, it’s imperative they acquire all vital vitamins and minerals to reach their fullest potential. Among these, calcium stands out as a pivotal nutrient for your child’s growth. To monitor their height progression across years, maintaining a child height chart can be invaluable.

In this article, you will explore the benefits of calcium for the linear growth of infants.

1. Bone Development

In the early stages of life, an infant’s bones undergo rapid growth as a fundamental aspect of their natural development. Given that calcium serves as the foundational element for bone structure, it becomes crucial to incorporate calcium-rich foods in your baby’s diet. Adequate calcium consumption during this phase is pivotal, as it facilitates the creation and mineralization of bone tissue. This not only guards against fractures and calcium insufficiency but also bolsters the child’s physical advancement from crawling to walking.

2. Promotes Healthy Skeletal Growth

Calcium is essential for the proper functioning of cells and is involved in muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and blood clotting. It plays a fundamental role in skeletal muscle growth and function. You must ensure that you include sufficient calcium in your infant’s diet so that they develop strong and sturdy skeleton which provides a stable framework to their growing bodies. Strong bones are better equipped to handle the physical demands of childhood, such as crawling, walking, and running.

3. Supports Dental Health

In addition to promoting skeletal growth, calcium is essential for the development and maintenance of healthy teeth. During infancy, when primary teeth begin to emerge, it is crucial to ensure adequate calcium intake to support the formation of strong tooth enamel. Strong enamel not only helps protect against tooth decay but also sets the stage for healthy permanent teeth in the future.

4. Prevents Rickets and Other Growth Disorders

Rickets is a bone development disorder which is characterized by soft and weak bones, leading to skeletal deformities. One of the primary causes of rickets is deficiency in calcium and vitamin D which are both essential for proper bone mineralization. Adequate dietary calcium intake can significantly reduce the risk of rickets in infants. Moreover, it can also help prevent other growth disorders that may arise due to inadequate bone development.

5. Supports Muscle Function

Calcium plays a significant role in overall muscle function- muscle contraction and relaxation. Proper muscle development is essential for a child’s gross motor skills so that they move and explore their environment effectively. Infants with sufficient dietary calcium are likely to have better muscle control and coordination in their body.

How to ensure sufficient calcium intake in infants?

Now that you understand the importance of calcium let’s find out where to get it from.

Breast milk stands as the foremost and optimal nutritional source for infants in their initial six months. Yet, if circumstances prevent breastfeeding, you can confidently turn to reputable formula milk brands. These formulas offer essential nourishment, ensuring your baby receives the required nutrients.

After six months, when it’s time to introduce complementary foods, it is essential to incorporate calcium-rich foods in your baby’s diet. Some excellent sources of dietary calcium include dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. For non-dairy options, calcium-fortified foods, leafy greens (e.g., broccoli, kale), and fish (e.g., salmon, sardines) are good choices.

Conclusion

We can conclude that sufficient dietary calcium intake during infancy is crucial. By providing right amount of calcium to your infants, you can ensure that your child achieves an optimal linear height. A child height chart can help you track your child’s growing height so that you can take immediate action whenever neededwhile focussing on their important dietary needs.