Question
Why is my child seven months old and has only erupted one tooth? Although we have supplemented with calcium, the child still has a cradle cap. Does this require calcium supplementation?
Answer
Each child’s tooth eruption timing and sequence are not uniform, with the earliest possible at four months and the latest approaching one year. The baby’s condition falls within the normal range, and parents should not worry excessively. Moreover, tooth eruption may not always follow a strict order and may not be symmetrical. It is recommended that parents wrap their fingers with gauze, dip them in warm water, and gently wipe the baby’s gums to aid tooth eruption. Regarding the cradle cap, it does not necessarily indicate a calcium deficiency, as infants have thin scalp skin that can easily be rubbed off. Therefore, it is advisable for parents to observe other growth and development indicators such as height, weight, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills to assess whether calcium supplementation is needed. If there are no other obvious symptoms of calcium deficiency, it may not be necessary to excessively supplement with calcium.