Adding fish oil to formula

[pookie81]

Just wondering if anyone has tried adding fish oil to formula milk. I heard something on the radio about it but didn't pay too much attention. I really want to try and introduce it to my baby who is 3 weeks old but I guess I am a bit hesitant at the moment.

Why would you want your 3 week old baby to have fish oil??

You're right to be hesitant, pookie.

There is some evidence that fish oils contain substances that modern/junk food diets leave out, and some people take supplements because of this. There is also an initiative which involves giving them to school kids (on not very good evidence that I can see).

But no one suggests that a baby needs them as an extra - I'd be especially cautious, as some formulas already have supplements in them (the prebiotics added to some formulas come from algae, which produce omega 3, the fatty acid contained in the fish oils). You could be giving your baby far too much.

What's good for adults is not necessarily good for babies! After all, plenty of fibre is good for grown ups, but you wouldn't give it to a baby

What made you really want to introduce it? Was it something they said on the radio?

i know it has been linked to good concentration , but there was a bit of controversy about it lately.

i personally would not add a thing to formula - esp. in such a new baby!

when you are weaning, introduce fish then ! i think formula does have omega 3? might be wrong though...

would not do it personally

Wait til weaning at least

i think formula has fish oil in it already, part of how they make it. remember reading the side of a formula box once to see what goes into it.

the blue aptamil has fish oils in it

dizzybint, yes, you are right - fish oil is already in some brands of formula
this site has some info and you will see this on the side of the pack, as they are not suitable for babies whose parents want them to be vegetarian.

It's another source of prebiotics.

(Can't resist pointing out that breastmilk has prebiotics too, but they are human, not from fish or from algae)

Just a thought - I am allergic to fish & so is DD I'm not sure whether the fish oil would provoke an allergy but I wouldn't want to take a chance.

I have a book by Nutritionist Suzannah Oliver - 'What SHould I Feed by Baby' and she advises adding 1 tablespoon of Udo's Oil (mix of Omega 3, 6 &9) once a day to formula milk. I have been doing so for a few weeks now and 12 week old baby has been fine. Of course if you choose a formula that has it already there is no need to add. I chose an Organic formula and it does not have any.