Calcium supplements (or not) for 18 mo - need guidance as GPs/dietitians/pharmacists won't help

[eskimomama]

Hello all

My DD is 18 mo and allergic to cows milk protein and has been breastfed until now. We just moved to France where it has been a real battle to make GPs/dietitians and pharmacists find me a solution to make sure she gets enough calcium now I will stop BFing her.

A few moms here on MN have suggested a calcium syrup called Sandoz in a previous thread, however it isn't available here and apparently there isn't any alternative apart from a rice formula that tastes really disgusting. DD won't come near it and for that reason we do not want to use it - she's eating well and I don't want mealtimes to become a battle and force-feed her this horrible formula.

Health care providers here are extremely reluctant/sceptical to look into calcium supplements or any alternative solution - I suppose I'm the very first mom they meet who has BFed so long and they simply aren't familiar with CMP allergy.... it makes me so mad.

My question is though.... does she need supplements, or is it fine to just give her enough calcium-enriched oat milk to cover her calcium needs (as in 500mg a day or so)...
She has a well-balanced diet (so said the dietitian) - but I'm worried a lot of the calcium gets destroyed as I cook/boil her veg sometimes too much.

I also want her to have a varied diet, not just broccoli/green veg/sardines/humus every day and eat different foods. Will the oat milk be enough, is it risky to rely only on it?

I'm so annoyed that I need to find it out all by myself... experience/help welcome! THANKS

My son is prescribed calcium sandoz, but I've heard others aren't. I have a guide from the hospital somewhere as to number of calcium portions needed per day. Green veg, fortified milk, cereals with calcium, some breads to name a few count towards. Maybe if you search the net you'll find a similar table online to guide you towards meeting calcium needs. My son is younger plus a poor eater which probably contribute towards his need for calcium, plus the fact he's never had regular formula (bar a few days). Personally I wouldn't give calcium sandoz without guidance from a dietician/ doctor as too much calcium can be harmful, my sons dose is reviewed as he grows and his diet changes.

In regard to calcium intake, babies between 7 and 12 months of age require 600 milligrams (mg.) of calcium each day. Children from 1 to 12 years of age need 800 mg. daily. Though breastmilk seems low in calcium (20 to 34 mg. per 3 oz.) at first glance, it is very well absorbed when compared to cow's milk. Babies absorb 67 percent of the calcium in mothers' milk, while only 25 percent of the calcium in cow's milk
If you are still concerned that your baby isn't getting enough calcium, begin to include some calcium-rich foods as part of his daily diet. You might want to consider tofu (100 mg. calcium/3.5 oz.), broccoli (72 mg./cup), or spinach (56 mg./1 cup cooked). Soy milks, rice milk, orange juice and bread are available now with calcium fortification. (Minute Maid calcium fortified orange juice contains 200 mg. of calcium in six fluid ounces) When reading the label, keep in mind that the RDA listed is for adults, not babies whose calcium needs are not nearly as great. (1000 mg. is the adult RDA for calcium.)

Orange juice is often fortified with calcium, a little only at mealtimes with brushing after is ok.

Read More www.ivillage.com/concerned-about-babys-calcium-intake/6-n-136907#ixzz1HuSbY9vY
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I remember being told a baby needs 3 portions of calcium a day.

My son (now 3 yrs 11 mths) was diagnosed with milk protein intolerance when few weeks old. I had same concern as you. My visits in the UK consisted of Paediatrician and Dietician. From 1 year old I was encouraged to introduce cows milk in cereal and then in few weeks introduce something else. Now I mean say 1 yoghurt in 7 days and see if any sypmtoms appear. Then if I felt that was ok gave him a milk pudding, again 1 in 7 days. I found cheese usually upset things or slice of pizza etc. Symptoms were blood in stools so when it started again I always had to cut right back to basic milk in cereal (full milk). I once brought a list of everything I gave him to eat and the dietician calculated that he was getting enough calcium via other food like white bread, oranges and those you've mentioned. I was told he'd outgrow it when 1, then 2 which was when I was discharged and left to manage myself. He is 4 next month and seems to be pretty much over the intolerance now. Cheese was probably the worst offender. He can now eat ice cream, pizza, yoghurts but I am still very consious of the amounts so I limit these to a treat at the weekend and sweets are generally non dairy ones. Easter/Christmas chocs are rationed! No one had ever told me even about the calcium enriched oat milk you mentioned and none of the professionals felt a supplement necessary as long as diet was otherwise good. I was warned to stay clear of soya products by the Dietician. I'm sorry you have no access to Dieticians in France. People are informed about lactose intolerance and such children can resort to goat's dairy however I felt very alone as protein intolerance seems more uncommon and you are pretty much left in control yourself to sort the problem out. I wish your family and little one all the best and hope that you too will find that through time he/she will also outgrow it. I may not have been any help but I just wanted you to know that I've been where you are and appreciate your frustration.

Thanks menazovut for the insightful info - I didn't know babies only take 25% of cow's milk calcium, wow...
Fully agree on avoiding to overdose on calcium supplements (kidney stones etc...). I just feel I'm being pulled in all directions and need to control the situation myself rather than relying on a health care provider who knows what they are talking about...

and thanks mrstrytohelp (nice name ) too, very interesting to read your experience and all the little details that are so important (easter choc eggs etc) - great to read your DS has mostly outgrown his allergy by now, hope it becomes easy from now on.

Oh, you may know this but does your child take a multivitamin? Vitamin D helps the gut absorb calcium.

Thanks menazovut (sorry for the delay) - I've been lazy/forgetting her vitamin D drops lately but will def be more careful once I stop BFing.