Baby Nutrition Care

Fish oil, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids, is one of the supplements that can provide us with a number of benefits. Its benefits on the heart have been proven by the Eskimos, whose diet comprises largely of the fatty fish found in their Arctic habitat. It has been found that heart disease and cholesterol problems are practically non-existent amongst the Eskimos, a fact that has been attributed to their Omega-3 fatty acid rich diet.

There has been a lot of information in the press regarding the lack of omega 3 fatty acids in our diet. Omega 3’s are present in oily fish such as tuna, mackerel, salmon and sardines. These fatty acids are essential, as the body cannot produce them itself and has to obtain them from dietary sources. They are particularly important in the last 3 months of pregnancy for the healthy development of baby’s brain, eyes, immune system and nervous system. Some researchers also maintain that a lack of Omega 3’s during pregnancy can increase the chances of suffering from postpartum depression or the baby blues after baby is born.

The benefits of fish oil for the baby’s brain development do not end with childbirth, either. Many very well-controlled, double-blind studies have confirmed that babies who receive breastmilk enhanced with the brain-buillding omega-3 fat, DHA, will have higher IQs and a much lower incidence of learning disabilities, including autism and mental retardation, compared to babies who consume only “standard” breastmilk. The lack of DHA in infant formula is also believed to be the primary cause of higher rates of cognitive delay among formula-fed babies.

For the best growth and development of our babies, pregnant and nursing women need adequate amounts of omega-3s. This means encouraging pregnant and nursing women to eat fish regularly. It also means that young children need to consume foods with omega-3s. Infant and baby foods must include a source of omega-3s.

What is DHA? Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid derived from alpha-linolenic acid. It is a nutrient that has been studied for its role in heart, brain and eye health. Although it is found in most tissues throughout the body, the highest concentrations of DHA are in the brain, nervous system and the retina of the eye, and it helps support normal development in these areas. According to a research, high concentrations of DHA are found in the cerebral cortex of the brain. The brain is 60% fat, and DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain, comprising 25-35%. DHA is found in even greater concentrations in the retina, i.e. 50-60%.

DHA plays an important role in cerebral development, especially during the crucial period of fetal development and infancy. Pregnant mothers transfer DHA directly to the fetus to support rapid brain and retina development of the infant. Studies have shown that DHA plays a major role in the mental development of infants and supports the mental function of children and adults throughout life. Low DHA levels have been linked to low brain serotonin levels which again are connected to an increased tendency to depression, suicide, and violence.

The best source of DHA for a baby is breast milk. A recent study found that breast fed children performed significantly better in cognitive and academic tests compared to children who were not breast fed. In fact, DHA is the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid in breast milk.

Maternal diet influences the level of DHA in breast milk. A study by the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas found that DHA supplements of 200 mg daily double the DHA content of nursing mothers’ milk relative to those who received placebo. The newborn baby must also continue to get enough DHA in breast milk or milk formula immediately after birth. Concentrations of DHA in breast milk have decreased by 50 percent in Canada and Australia over the past 15 years, according to studies.

An intake of approximately 300 mg DHA/day during lactation is considered as a reasonable target for ensuring the elevation of DHA in breast milk to at least 0.35% of total fatty acids. After the baby is born, if the mother is breastfeeding, the amount of DHA in breast milk will depend again on her dietary intake of this nutrient. DHA is found in the diet in high amounts in fatty fish (like tuna, mackerel, anchovies, salmon, herring, sardines) and in flaxseeds, flaxseed oil, canola oil, fish oil, and walnut oil.

A study concluded that the presence of DHA in breast milk explains why breast fed babies have a cognitive advantage over babies fed with infant formula containing no DHA. The study found that the breast fed children demonstrated an 8 point intellectual advantage when they were administered standard IQ tests.