At what age do children supplement with DHA

Children generally need to supplement DHA from 6 months old, mainly through breast milk, formula milk, or complementary foods. The key stages of DHA supplementation include infancy, early childhood, and pre school age, and specific needs are related to feeding methods and growth and development status.

1. Infant supplementation

Infants under 6 months of age can obtain sufficient DHA through breast milk or formula containing DHA. Mothers should ensure their own DHA intake during breastfeeding, such as consuming deep-sea fish 2-3 times a week. Infants who cannot be breastfed should choose formula milk powder with added DHA, without the need for additional supplementation.

2. Preschool supplementation

1-3 year old children need 100 milligrams of DHA per day, which can be supplemented with foods rich in DHA such as salmon, cod, algae, etc. through complementary foods. Children who are allergic to fish or have an unbalanced diet can use algae oil DHA supplements under the guidance of a doctor, and avoid choosing children's fish oil containing sugar or additives.

3. Preschool supplementation

Children aged 3-6 require approximately 150-200 milligrams of DHA per day. In addition to continuing to supplement with foods such as fish and eggs, children with poor concentration or picky eaters can supplement with DHA supplements in the short term. When choosing, the ingredients should be checked for algae oil or fish oil, and avoid taking them together with vitamin A/D complex supplements.

4. Special Needs Supplementation

Premature and low birth weight infants need to supplement DHA in the early postnatal period, usually calculated at 20-40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. Children with delayed neurological development and visual problems should develop personalized supplementary plans after evaluation by a doctor, and the effectiveness of rehabilitation training should be improved.

5. Precautions for Supplementing

DHA supplementation should not be excessive, as exceeding the daily limit for a long time may affect immune function. When choosing supplements, it is important to note that the EPA content should not be too high, and algal oil DHA is more suitable for children. During the supplementation period, the growth and development curve of children should be regularly evaluated, and if diarrhea or allergy symptoms occur, they should be stopped immediately. DHA supplementation for children should be mainly based on diet, gradually introducing DHA rich complementary foods after 6 months, and ensuring 2-3 times a week intake of deep-sea fish for children over 1 year old. It is recommended to consult pediatrics before using supplements to avoid co administration with iron and calcium containing preparations that may affect absorption. Daily consumption can be paired with foods rich in linolenic acid, such as walnuts and flaxseed, to promote the conversion of DHA in the body. Regularly conduct visual and cognitive development screening, and dynamically adjust supplementary plans.