How old should babies be supplemented with cod liver oil_When should babies be supplemented with cod liver oil_How old should babies be supplemented with cod liver oil

Cod liver oil contains vitamins A and D. Supplementing with cod liver oil can promote bone development and prevent rickets. So how old should a baby be to take cod liver oil? When is the best time to add cod liver oil to a baby? Generally speaking, babies take cod liver oil before the age of three. As the baby grows older, the time they spend in the sun should be extended every day.

1. What is cod liver oil? What are its effects? Cod liver oil mainly contains vitamins A and D.

The primary 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 lead to: slow 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 lead to various infections of the respiratory tract, digestive tract and urinary tract.

The primary 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 lead to: reduced intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, impaired calcification of bone tissues; rickets, manifested by irritability, 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 form exists in food in the form of carotene, 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 absorbs 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.

2. In what cases is cod liver oil needed? The following cases require cod liver oil supplementation

If the baby lacks breast milk or does not add egg yolks, animal livers and other foods rich in vitamins A and D, as well as vegetables and fruits rich in carotene in time after weaning; or the baby suffers from chronic diarrhea, liver and gallbladder diseases that affect the absorption of vitamin A and D; or the baby suffers from chronic wasting diseases that increase the consumption of vitamin A and D; or the baby lacks sunlight; or the baby grows too fast and increases the demand, etc., all of which can lead to a deficiency of vitamin A and/or D. The content of vitamin A in milk is higher than that in cow's milk. If the mother has adequate nutrition and a balanced diet, the vitamin A in breast milk can mostly meet the needs of the baby. Vitamin D is found in lower levels in both breast milk and cow's milk, so whether the baby is fed with breast milk or cow's milk, they must be given a preventive dose of 400 units of vitamin D per day starting 2-3 weeks after birth and continued for 2-3 years. Premature babies, twins, and children with the above-mentioned factors that lead to vitamin A and D deficiency need additional supplementation of vitamin A and D. After the age of 2 or 3, children's growth rate slows down, the variety of diet and outdoor activities increase, and usually no additional cod liver oil is needed.