How often should newborns be supplemented with cod liver oil?

After a newborn is born, some parents often supplement their children with cod liver oil, because cod liver oil has high nutritional value, can promote the baby's absorption of body elements, and strengthen bones. Newborns can generally start supplementing with cod liver oil four weeks after birth. Only a little bit can be eaten each time, not too much, and you can stop eating it after the baby is two or three years old.

How old should babies take cod liver oil?

Cod liver oil is a nutrient that babies need to supplement. Many mothers are not sure when to give it to their babies and how old the babies should be. Let me introduce it to you below.

Cod liver oil should be supplemented from 15 days after the baby is born (that is, the third week), initially one drop a day. If the bowel movement is normal, you can increase the dosage to 2 drops per day after a week, and gradually increase it until you take one pill per day. As long as the baby does not have diarrhea, continue to eat this medicine until the age of 2 years.

According to a large number of studies, babies need 10 micrograms (equivalent to 400 units) of vitamin D and 400

Micrograms (equivalent to 1330 units) of vitamin A, if eaten in large quantities, will be stored in the liver and subcutaneous fat, but excessive intake can cause poisoning. However, as long as the daily intake of vitamin D does not exceed 20-25 micrograms

(800-1000 units), and vitamin A does not exceed 2000 micrograms (6670 units), it will not be an overdose.

Generally speaking, babies can take cod liver oil until they are 3 years old. The best time for babies to supplement cod liver oil is between half a month after birth and two years old. If the baby has no obvious signs of calcium deficiency, there is no need to supplement calcium. Just take 400IU-800IU of cod liver oil every day until the age of two. In the northern region, it can be extended to three years old. This is a preventive amount. Because breast milk and milk powder contain high calcium content and very little vitamin D, calcium supplements can meet the baby's current body needs. Cod liver oil promotes calcium absorption, so cod liver oil must be supplemented. In addition, sunlight exposure to the skin is also the best way to absorb calcium.

The role of cod liver oil in babies

In a narrow sense, cod liver oil is the oil refined from the liver of marine fish. In a broad sense, cod liver oil also includes the liver oil of marine animals such as whales and seals. At room temperature, it is a yellow, transparent liquid with a slight fishy smell. It is mainly composed of glycerol lipids with a high degree of unsaturation, as well as a small amount of phospholipids and unsaponifiable matter. Cod, turbot, etc. are traditional raw materials for cod liver oil production internationally. China mainly uses sharks, rays, large yellow croakers, mackerel and pufferfish.

The main components of cod liver oil are fat-soluble vitamins A and D.

Vitamin A: The main function is to maintain normal growth, reproduction, vision, integrity of epithelial tissue and anti-infection immunity. Vitamin A

Deficiency of it can cause delayed bone development in babies; affect the development of tooth enamel cells, leading to imperfect teeth; damage the structure of epithelial tissues; and low immune function can easily cause various infections of the respiratory tract, digestive tract and urinary tract. Vitamin A is mainly found in animal liver, especially fish liver, followed by milk and eggs. The other is in the form of carotene, which exists in vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, beans and green leafy vegetables. Carotene is converted into vitamin A in the liver.

Vitamin D: The main function is to promote the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by the small intestinal mucosa; and to promote the reabsorption of calcium and phosphorus by the renal tubules. Vitamin D deficiency can cause reduced intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, bone tissue calcification disorders, rickets, etc. Symptoms include irritability, sweating, irritability and bone changes. Vitamin D is mainly found in the liver of animals, especially the liver of marine fish. In addition, the human body can also absorb vitamin D from sunlight. 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin can be converted into vitamin D under the action of ultraviolet rays.