Omega 3 in the infantile diet of children and babies

Omega 3 fatty acids, like omega 6 fatty acids, are essential fatty acids, that is, that the human body can not manufacture. Omega 3 are present in all cells of the body, but there is a high concentration in the brain and eye, for this reason, it is necessary that the infant receives the amount of these fats daily. While breastfeeding, if the mother is on a balanced diet and consumes a supplement of omega 3 DHA, the amount of this fat that will be contained in the breast milk will be sufficient to favor a proper growth and development of the infant. Breastfeeding and omega 3 fatty acids

The quantity and composition of breast milk varies throughout the days, being the first day of 50 ml, of 500 ml on the fifth day and of about 750 ml on the third day month of baby's life. The production of milk depends in large part on the suction stimulation of the infant, so that the mothers of twins produce more milk, being able to breastfeed perfectly the two children.

If there is maternal malnutrition, the volume of segregated milk decreases. Among the nutrients whose composition is modified by the maternal diet are the fatty acids including DHA, iodine, selenium and most of the vitamins. For this reason, it is essential that the mother receives a balanced diet.

Premature babies have very low reserves of energy, both fat (less than 2% birth weight) and glycogen (less than 0.5% birth weight) in relation to full-term babies. Due to its degree of immaturity, it has been seen in studies that children fed breastfeeding had a better response than those fed formula, and one of the causes is believed to be because breast milk contains DHA directly, while the milk formula contained omega 3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and his body was unable to degrade to DHA. For this reason, the concentrations of DHA in the retina (eye) and the brain were lower in these infants than in those fed with breast milk.

Feeding children with omega 3

In the first year of the baby, the dose of omega 3 comes exclusively from breast milk or formula, since around 10 months begins to introduce white fish in infant feeding , and it is not until 15-18 months when the introduction of blue fish or fatty fish occurs. The rest of foods with omega 3, such as nuts, do not appear in infant feeding until 3 years of age.

For children of preschool age (3-6 years), the biggest source of omega 3 will be fatty fish, which is recommended about twice a week. It can be complemented with 3-4 well-chewed nuts, and can also take some dairy food enriched with omega 3. During childhood, the brain, like other structures, continue to form and grow, for this reason, it is advisable to ingest the dose of omega 3 while they are growing.

omega 3 supplements for children

Children should take omega 3 supplements if a sufficient amount of fatty fish is not consumed, when they reject their taste or are not offered on a regular basis.

Children with fish allergies should NOT take omega 3 supplements from fish en, in this case they can take nuts, flax seeds and soybeans, or take an omega 3 supplement from algae. The benefits of omega 3 DHA in children's health will be to ensure a sufficient dose of these essential fats to allow a proper development of neuronal and visual tissue. Some studies point to a benefit in DHA supplementation for children affected with attention deficit disorder, and may improve their ability to concentrate and study.Marta Anguera Salvatella

Nutritionist