Magnesium for babies

Have you ever wondered if magnesium supplements are safe for your baby? Or what are the main benefits of introducing high-magnesium foods into your baby’s diet? If you answered yes, keep on reading because we have the answers for you. 

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of babies. It is the fourth most abundant element in our body, after calcium, potassium and sodium. The regulation of magnesium levels depends on intestinal absorption, renal re-absorption and excretion, and exchanges from the magnesium stored in our body, in the bones for example.¹ This mineral is involved in a number of bodily functions, that include the functioning of the muscles and nerves. Magnesium is also essential for the development of the baby's bones, teeth, and heart. Babies should be able to reach their recommended dietary allowance through breast milk, baby formulas or food, if the baby’s nutritional needs are not being met, magnesium supplements might be recommended by your doctor. It’s important to not self-prescribe magnesium supplements to your baby without first talking to a healthcare professional.

Keep on reading this article if you want to learn more about the importance of magnesium and its benefits. In this article, we will focus on the importance of magnesium for babies and discuss the various magnesium sources suitable for babies and infants, as well as the potential risks and benefits of magnesium supplements and the recommended magnesium dosage according to the Food and Nutrition Board.

Is magnesium safe for babies?

As mentioned before, magnesium is not only safe but also essential for the growth and development of babies. The question here focuses on the safety of magnesium supplements for babies.   Of course, it is desirable to get the recommended daily intake of magnesium from food sources, rather than supplements, because food sources of magnesium provide a range of other important nutrients and can help to balance out any potential side effects of magnesium. However, in some cases, if the baby’s nutritional needs are not being met through diet only, a doctor may recommend magnesium supplements, especially if they have a medical condition that affects their ability to absorb magnesium from food.² Some health conditions that may require a magnesium supplement are ADHD, anxiety and depression, asthma, insomnia and sleep disturbances, migraine headaches, and Tourette syndrome among others.²

However, it's important to keep in mind that magnesium supplements for babies can have some potential risks associated, including diarrhoea, stomach upset (such as bloating and gas), and nausea.³

There are different types of magnesium supplements, that can come in different formats, like tablets, powders, liquids, and capsules.⁴ Some of the supplements available are:

• Magnesium citrate
• Magnesium chloride
• Magnesium aspartate
• Magnesium lactate
• Magnesium taurate
• Magnesium oxide
• Magnesium sulfate
• Magnesium malate⁴

Before starting the magnesium supplement, it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist if your baby or toddler suffers from any of these conditions:

• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Intestinal disease
• Neuromuscular disease
• Allergy to magnesium salts⁵

How to take the magnesium supplements

When giving magnesium supplements to your baby, it is important to proceed exactly as the healthcare professional recommended.⁴ Nonetheless, there are several things that you can take  into consideration, for example:

• Don’t mix magnesium with dairy products: the calcium and phosphorus present in these products can cause a reduction of absorbed magnesium by the body
• Take the supplements during the meal: this can help prevent diarrhoea⁴

Why magnesium is important

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is crucial for the development and proper functioning of the human body. It is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions in the body and plays a role in everything from DNA synthesis to muscle function.⁶

Some of the specific processes where Magnesium is involved include:

• Protein synthesis
• Cellular energy production and storage
• Reproduction
• DNA and RNA synthesis
• Stabilizing mitochondrial membranes⁶

Magnesium also plays a vital role in preserving normal nerve and muscle function, normal heart rhythm, muscular contraction, normal blood pressure, bone integrity, and glucose and insulin metabolism, among others.⁶

This mineral has been shown to improve some of the symptoms of several health conditions and diseases, including Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus , migraine headaches, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Even though there need to be more studies regarding the possible cause-and-effect relationship, there is a good indication that magnesium has a really positive impact on overall health.⁶

Deficit of magnesium

This mineral is essential for proper growth and development, and a deficiency can lead to a range of health problems:

1. Muscle cramps and spasms: Magnesium is important for muscle function, and a deficiency can lead to cramps and spasms
2. Nervous system problems: Magnesium is involved in nerve function, and a deficiency can lead to problems with the nervous system such as tremors, seizures, and irritability
3. Cardiovascular problems: Magnesium is involved in the regulation of blood pressure and the functioning of the heart. A deficiency can lead to an increased risk of hypertension and other cardiovascular problems
4. Osteoporosis: Magnesium is important for bone health, and a deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and fragile bones
5. Depression and anxiety: Some research suggests that a deficiency in magnesium may be linked to depression and anxiety
6. Fatigue: Magnesium is involved in energy metabolism, and a deficiency can lead to feelings of fatigue and weakness
7. Asthma: Some studies suggest that magnesium deficiency may be involved in asthma aetiology^7,8,9,10

The deficit of magnesium is usually caused by a magnesium poor diet. Nonetheless, other underlying health conditions can lead to this deficit, for example:

• Malabsorption conditions, like Celiac and Crohn's disease
• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• Alcoholism
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Older age⁷

Some of the symptoms of hypomagnesemia, or magnesium deficiency, include Muscle contraction, fatigue or weakness, facial muscle twitching, insomnia, constipation, leg cramps, anxiety and abnormal heart rate.^7,8 When a magnesium deficiency is detected it is important to  first identify the root cause, and then start a magnesium supplement. An untreated magnesium deficiency can lead to more dangerous complications such as high blood pressure, arrhythmias, thrombosis, or stroke.⁷

Excessive magnesium

On the other hand, it is important to avoid excessive magnesium intake. Although it is less common, because the kidneys remove the excess magnesium in the urine, high-dosage supplements or prolonged use can lead to magnesium toxicity.⁸

Some of the symptoms of hypermagnesemia include:

• Depression
• Nausea, vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Low blood pressure
• Muscle weakness
• Heart attack⁸

Benefits of magnesium for babies and toddlers

An insufficient magnesium intake can be observed in a number of developed and industrialized countries.¹¹ The adequate intake of magnesium is essential for a healthy body and is especially critical during the growth and development period of babies and toddlers, some of the several benefits of magnesium include:

1. Healthy nervous system and mood: Magnesium is involved in the production of the relaxation neurotransmitter GABA( Gamma-aminobutyric acid) and promotes the production of serotonin. A normal magnesium intake can help with anxiety, irritability or poor attention¹²
2. Supporting muscle and nerve function: Magnesium plays a crucial role in the function of muscles and nerves and is essential for the proper development of the nervous system. Adequate intake of magnesium can help support healthy muscle and nerve function in babies and toddlers¹³
3. Helping with the absorption of calcium and vitamin D: Magnesium helps the body absorb both calcium and vitamin D, which are important for the development of strong bones and teeth¹²
4. Promoting healthy heart function: Magnesium is involved in maintaining healthy heart rhythm and blood pressure and may help protect against cardiovascular diseases, such as cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, atherosclerosis and dyslipidaemia¹⁴
5. Supporting healthy immune function: Magnesium is involved in the activation of T-cells, which are important for the immune system's response to infections and other threats¹⁵
6. Reducing the risk of asthma: Some studies have suggested that adequate magnesium intake can help with the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles and with the dilation of the airways, which reduces the risk of developing asthma later on¹⁶
7. May support healthy sleep: Magnesium has been shown to have a calming effect on the central nervous system and may help promote healthy sleep cycles in babies and toddlers¹⁷
8. Helps support healthy growth, development and energy production: Magnesium is involved in several processes that support healthy growth and development in babies and toddlers, including DNA synthesis, enzymatic activity and protein synthesis¹⁸
9. Improves constipation: higher magnesium intake can help with the improvement of stool consistency and frequency in constipated patients¹⁹

The best sources of magnesium for babies

Babies obtain magnesium through different sources, magnesium can be found in breast milk and milk-based infant formulas. Breast milk is an excellent source of magnesium for infants and can provide part of their daily recommended intake of magnesium.²⁰ Infant formula is another good source of magnesium for babies, since most of them are fortified with magnesium to ensure that babies receive an adequate intake.²¹

In addition to breast milk and infant formula, bottled and tap water can also be a source of magnesium.⁸ Other than this, there are also many foods that are rich in magnesium that can be introduced to a baby's diet as they grow and develop.⁸ These foods include:

• Cooked green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli
• Nuts, such as almonds, peanuts, cashews
• Pumpkin seeds
• Peanut butter
• Beans (black, kidney)
• Soybeans and soy milk
• White potato with skin
• Brown rice
• Oatmeal
• Salmon
• Beef
• Poultry
• Banana
• Raisins
• Dark chocolate (at least 70%)
• Milk and yogurt
• Avocado

On the other hand, in addition to choosing to give magnesium-rich foods to your baby, it’s also important to limit some others, like foods and beverages with high concentrations of added sugar, sodium and saturated fat.²²

How much magnesium should a baby take?

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium depends on the age of the baby or toddler. According to the Food and Nutrition Board, babies between 0 and 6 months old should consume around 30 mg of magnesium per day, while infants between 7 and 12 months old should consume 75 mg per day. Toddlers with ages between 1 and 3 years old should consume 80 mg per day, and children between 4 and 8 years old should be consuming around 130 mg per day.²²

Summary

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in the growth and development of babies. It is the fourth most abundant element in our body, after calcium, potassium, and sodium.  This mineral is essential for the healthy development of the baby's bones, teeth, and heart. 

Magnesium can be obtained from different sources, that include breast milk, infant formula, tap and bottled water, and several types of foods (spinach, nuts, chocolate, yogurt, and banana, among others). When these sources can’t provide the recommended magnesium dosage, there’s a need to resort to magnesium supplements. Before deciding on magnesium supplements, always consult a healthcare professional for advice on how to include higher quantities of magnesium in your baby’s diet. Babies between 0 and 6 months old should consume 30 mg of magnesium per day, infants between 7 and 12 months old, 100 mg per day and toddlers between 1 and 3 years old should consume 80 mg per day. 

The benefits of magnesium for babies include helping with brain development, supporting muscle and nerve function, helping with the absorption of calcium and Vitamin-D, promoting healthy heart function, supporting healthy immune function, reducing the risk of asthma, may help with healthy sleep, helping support healthy growth and development and improving constipation. However, it's important to keep in mind that magnesium supplements for babies can have some potential risks associated, including diarrhoea, stomach upset, such as bloating and gas and nausea. Before starting the magnesium supplement, consult your doctor if your baby or toddler suffers from any of these conditions: kidney disease, heart disease, intestinal disease, neuromuscular disease or allergy to magnesium salts.