I grew up in a household where dairy was on the table at every meal and nobody ever thought twice about calcium. Then I had children, one of whom decided at 18 months that she was done with milk entirely and would not touch cheese, and I started reading about calcium requirements with some urgency. Calcium is essential for building strong bones and teeth, muscle function, and nerve signalling. Toddlers aged 1 to 3 need around 700mg of calcium per day. That sounds like a lot but it is more achievable than you might think. Full-fat cow is milk remains the most calcium-dense option: one cup provides around 300mg. But milk is absolutely not the only way to meet calcium needs. Other excellent calcium sources for toddlers: cheese, which toddlers often love and is very calcium-dense. Even a small cube of cheddar provides around 200mg. Yogurt is calcium-rich and often more accepted than straight milk. Full-fat plain yogurt is ideal. Tofu made with calcium sulphate is a surprisingly good source and very easy to add to meals. Broccoli contains calcium in smaller amounts but also contains vitamin K which supports bone health. Tinned salmon and sardines with bones are excellent calcium sources. White beans and chickpeas are good plant-based options. Fortified plant milks contain comparable calcium to cow is milk if your toddler is dairy-free. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption. Most children in the UK are recommended a vitamin D supplement, and this is worth discussing with your doctor or health visitor wherever you are.