Should I give my children DHA supplements?
Many mothers are confused about this, and watch the two parties arguing endlessly: one side says that there is no need to supplement it, because it is already in the food the baby eats, and the other side says that it must be supplemented, because supplementing the baby will make the baby smarter! Which one is correct? Woolen cloth?
What are the benefits of DHA? Should I supplement it?
To answer this question, you must first understand one thing: DHA is an unsaturated fatty acid, which is very beneficial to the development of the baby's nervous system and visual system. Studies have shown that mothers' algal oil powder manufacturer intake of sufficient DHA during pregnancy and lactation can help promote the development of the baby's brain and vision, and is more conducive to the development of the baby's cognitive abilities in the future.
However, mothers should also know that DHA is by no means a panacea. There is currently no scientific research to prove that babies can be smarter by supplementing DHA.algae oil supplement On the contrary, excessive DHA supplementation will increase the metabolic burden on the baby's kidneys and is not conducive to the baby's normal growth and development.
How to supplement DHA? It depends on the condition of the baby!
Whether the baby needs DHA supplementation cannot be generalized and must be determined according to the baby's specific feeding situation.ara oil The supplementary methods are mainly divided into the following categories:
1. Full-term, breastfed babies
Full-term babies who are exclusively breastfed generally do not need additional DHA supplements. As long as the mother can ensure a daily intake of 200mg of DHA (200mg), the baby's demand for DHA can be met.
Mothers can eat 2 to 3 meals of fish a week to supplement DHA, at least one of which should be sea fish. In addition, eating one egg a day can basically meet the demand for DHA (200mg).
2. Babies fed with milk powder or mixed feeding
Babies who cannot be exclusively breastfed for various reasons are usually fed formula or mixed feeding. In this case, breast milk cannot fully meet the baby's demand for DHA. You can choose infant formula containing DHA, and the DHA content should account for 0.2% to 0.5% of the total fat content of the formula.
3. Premature babies
If the baby is premature, more attention should be paid to DHA supplementation. It is best for the mother to ask the doctor whether the baby needs to take supplements, and if so, how much should be taken every day. According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, premature infants with a birth weight of less than 1,000 g should have a daily DHA intake of ≥21 mg per kilogram of body weight, and premature infants with a birth weight of less than 1,500 g should have a daily DHA intake of ≥18 mg per kilogram of body weight.
4. Babies who have started taking complementary foods and can eat fish
If the baby has already added complementary food, it is recommended to give priority to food supplements. When food supplements cannot meet the needs, consider supplementing with DHA supplements. It is generally recommended that babies eat 2 to 3 meals of fish per week, at least one of which should be sea fish to meet their basic needs.
Salmon and sardines rich in DHA are relatively safe and suitable for babies to eat. The mercury content of some marine fish exceeds the standard, such as sharks, swordfish, tilefish, etc., and mothers must avoid them.
In addition, seaweeds such as kelp, nori, and wakame, seafood such as shrimp, crab, shellfish, and cuttlefish, and eggs are also rich in DHA.
5. Babies who eat less DHA-rich foods every day
If your baby doesn't like to eat fish, algae, or other DHA-rich foods, he can consume DHA through supplements, preferably EPA-free algae oil. It should be noted that if your baby is still drinking formula milk, and the formula milk already contains a certain amount of DHA, you must carefully calculate the DHA content, choose a supplement with appropriate content, and do not blindly overdose.
By:Kitty