How old is the baby taking DHA supplements

After the baby is born, DHA can be supplemented under the guidance of a doctor. The critical period for brain development is from 6 months to 3 years old, which requires special attention. The main ways to supplement DHA include breastfeeding, formula milk powder addition, deep-sea fish complementary food, algal oil preparations, and doctor guided supplements.

1. Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best source of DHA for infants, and a daily intake of 200 milligrams of DHA by breastfeeding mothers can be transmitted to their infants through breast milk. It is recommended that lactating mothers eat salmon, sardine and other sea fish rich in DHA 2-3 times a week, or choose clinically proven special nutritional supplements for lactation. Premature and low birth weight infants have a higher demand for DHA and need to adjust their supplementation plan under the guidance of a pediatrician.

2. Formula milk powder can be supplemented with DHA when breastfeeding is not possible. In China, the DHA content of infant formula milk powder should be 0.2% -0.5% of total fatty acids. When making a purchase, it is necessary to check the nutrition chart to ensure that it contains sufficient amounts of ARA arachidonic acid, and the ratio of the two should be 1:1 to 1:2. Note that the water temperature for brewing milk powder should not exceed 50 ℃ to avoid damaging the nutritional components.

3. Deep sea fish complementary food

After adding complementary food, low mercury deep sea fish such as cod and salmon can be introduced from 7-8 months old, with 20-30 grams per 2-3 times a week. It is recommended to use low-temperature cooking methods such as steaming and boiling to avoid DHA oxidation caused by frying. Babies who are allergic to seafood can try adding foods rich in alpha linolenic acid such as flaxseed oil and walnut oil, which can be partially converted into DHA in the body.

4. Algae oil preparation

Algae oil DHA is a plant derived DHA extracted from microalgae, which does not contain fishy odor and has low risk of heavy metal pollution. It is suitable for fish allergies or vegetarian households. The selection should be based on the national infant food standard certification, and avoid adding sugar and essence compound preparations. The recommended daily intake for children under 3 years old is within 100 milligrams, and vitamin E should be added to prevent oxidation.

5. Doctor's guidance on supplements

Premature infants, babies with developmental delays, or babies with metabolic abnormalities may require medical grade DHA supplementation. Prescriptions need to be issued after evaluation by a pediatric healthcare physician, commonly including DHA+ARA compound drops, DHA emulsions, etc. During the supplementation period, it is necessary to regularly monitor growth and development indicators to avoid adverse reactions such as abnormal coagulation function caused by excessive intake. In addition to DHA supplementation, it is important to ensure that babies have sufficient sleep and moderate exercise every day to promote neural development. Avoid prolonged electronic screen stimulation before the age of 2 and engage in more parent-child interactive games. Pay attention to observing whether the baby has allergic reactions such as rash and diarrhea, and regularly undergo child health check ups during the supplementation period. Reasonably combining foods such as egg yolks rich in choline and beef rich in zinc can synergistically promote brain cell development. If the baby refuses to eat, deviates from the standard curve in growth and development, etc., they should seek medical attention in a timely manner to adjust their nutrition plan.