How long should babies take cod liver oil?

Children's health is always the most concerned issue for parents. We all know that cod liver oil can improve the body's immunity and is more conducive to bone growth and development and promotes calcium absorption. However, every baby has different physical conditions. Many parents are afraid that their babies cannot better absorb the nutrients in cod liver oil, so they don't know when to supplement their babies so that they can absorb better. Let's learn about how long it is better for babies to eat cod liver oil.

Is cod liver oil good for babies?

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

The main function of vitamin A is to maintain normal growth, reproduction, vision, integrity of epithelial tissue and anti-infection immunity of the body. .Vitamin A deficiency can cause: delayed bone development in children; affect the development of tooth enamel cells, resulting in imperfect teeth; damage to epithelial tissue structure; low immune function can easily cause various infections of the respiratory tract, digestive tract and urinary tract.

The main function of vitamin D 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 disorder; rickets, manifested as fright, sweating, irritability and bone changes.

Vitamins A and D are fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin A is found in animal liver, especially fish liver, followed by milk and eggs. The other is in the form of carotene in food, such as carrots, tomatoes, beans and green leafy vegetables. Carotene is converted into vitamin A in the liver.

Vitamin D is mainly found in the liver of animals, especially the liver of marine fish. In addition, 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin can also be converted into vitamin D under the action of ultraviolet rays. The human body gets vitamin D from sunlight and from food.

It can be seen that cod liver oil is not the only source of vitamin A and D for children.

It is necessary to supplement your baby with cod liver oil, but the more the better is not necessarily true. The recommended daily intake of vitamin A and vitamin D is 2500-5000 units and 400-800 units, respectively. Vitamin A and D can cause poisoning if large doses are taken in a short period of time, or if excessive daily intake is taken for a long time. Symptoms include decreased appetite, lack of weight gain, irritability, sweating, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, joint pain, muscle pain, etc. Commercially available concentrated vitamin AD drops (concentrated cod liver oil drops) contain 50,000 units and 5,000 units of vitamin A and D respectively per gram. There are about 30 drops in 1 gram, so 3-5 drops per day are sufficient.

We often see some parents who say that they have added various vitamins to their children, but why do their children still have a poor appetite? Why are they not gaining weight? After carefully inquiring about the baby's feeding situation, it turns out that they are fed with formula milk and cod liver oil, or multivitamin syrup. The result is that although the dose has not reached the toxic dose, it is already an overdose. After stopping the cod liver oil, the appetite is significantly improved.

Therefore, when we feed various infant formula milk and fortified foods, we must carefully read the content of vitamin A and D in the formula. We should pay attention to the total daily intake of the baby, including from various vitamin-fortified foods, to avoid excessive dosage and even poisoning.

How long should babies take cod liver oil?

It is generally believed that giving children cod liver oil should start from the neonatal period, that is, starting from 3 to 4 weeks after birth, concentrated cod liver oil should be added, starting with one drop a day and gradually increasing, but not more than 5 drops. It is best to take it after a meal.

For premature babies, twins, and newborns with digestive tract diseases, cod liver oil should be added from the second week after birth, with a maximum of 5 to 7 drops per day. After one month, change to 3 to 5 drops per day. At the same time, you can take an appropriate amount of calcium supplements, no more than 0.5 grams per day

The above is an introduction to how long it is better for babies to eat cod liver oil. After understanding it, we know that the growth and development of each baby is different, and cod liver oil should be consumed according to the baby's physical condition. Babies with signs of calcium deficiency can appropriately supplement some cod liver oil after the baby is 3 to 4 weeks old. If the baby is in good physical condition, there is no need for separate nourishment.