Milk and Calcium Requirements for Toddlers
Author: Carla Snuggs
Calcium is a nutrient important in building strong teeth and bones in toddlers. The recommended amount of calcium for toddlers (children ages 1-3) is 500 milligrams per day. Many toddlers get their calcium requirements met through milk. Be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines state that toddlers need no more than 16 ounces of milk per day (about 2 glasses). Too much milk can put your toddler at risk for iron-deficiency anemia. Also too many servings of milk may irritate your toddler’s stomach or intestines.
Some parents panic when their child refuses milk or they discover their child is lactose intolerant. The good news is that toddlers don’t necessarily need milk, but they do require calcium for strong teeth and bones as well as the protein and fat that milk and dairy products provide.
There are a variety of calcium rich foods from both dairy and non-dairy sources to help toddlers meet their calcium requirements.
Each of the following foods provides about 300 mg of calcium per serving:
- 1 cup of almonds
- 3 cups of broccoli
- 1 cup turnip greens
- 8 ounces of yogurt
- 1 cup of soy or rice milk
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 cup orange juice, calcium fortified
- 4 ounces of canned salmon with bones
- 1 ounce of cheese
- 1 cup of pudding
Dry milk powder is another way to add calcium to your toddler’s diet. You can try adding it to the batter of baked goods like bread or muffins as well as dishes like macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes.
Calcium fortified foods like cereals or juices are convenient but should be used in moderation. Look for products labeled “High in Calcium”, "Excellent Source of Calcium", or “Rich in Calcium”. They usually have at least 20% of the daily value of calcium.
To improve calcium absorption and also aid in the digestion of calcium, add foods to your toddler’s diet that are rich in vitamin C like strawberries, potatoes, and citrus fruits.
