Toddlers and calcium

[nojaffacakes]

Hi everyone
My two toddlers aged 3 and 2 have recently given up their bottles, which I am very pleased about. They now drink all their milk from cups...but in minute quantities. I am worried they are not getting enough calcium for their growing bones. I give them as much yoghurt/fromage frais/cheese as they want but it still doesn't seem to be that much.
Do you have any ideas how I can increase their calcium intake? Or should I be considering supplements?

TIA

They will get calcium from dairy products but also from things like dark green vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, beans, oranges and other sources. The aim should be to offer them a balanced and varied diet rather than to worry about one nutrient in isolation.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Calcium.aspx

Ok. That's helpful- thanks! Id forgotten about all the other sources of calcium...

You don't need that much to get enough calcium.

From 12 months they only need 2/3 of a pint a day, so if they're having cheese and yoghurt they don't needs lots of milk too, maybe a sippy cup a day.

1-3yr old need ~350mg/day
4-6yr olds need ~450mg/day of Calcium.
A 30g piece of cheddar provides about 220mg, it's a very calcium-dense food! (A babybel is only about 130mg though)
280ml (1/2pt or ~9oz) of cows milk has about 340mg of Ca in it, so even if they only have a small glass of milk and a bit of cheese, they're probably covered right now.
Cogit is right in that variety is better, especially as other foods give you more vitamins and minerals & fibre etc too. Milk is not the be-all & end-all (as both my boys have dairy allergies, so all this lovely cheese is off our menu completely)!