Fish oil is full of omega 3 fatty acids, which are important nutrients that help to promote proper heart and brain function. According to an article in the New York Times, pediatricians believe omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil may be helpful in combating childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. If your child's pediatrician suggests adding omega 3 fatty acids to your child's diet, you can do so by increasing the amount of fish your child eats or finding a palatable fish oil supplement to get her the nutrients she needs.
Step 1
If your child is under a year old, don't worry about giving him additional fish oil. The Ask Dr. Sears website states that children who are breast feeding get enough omega 3 fatty acids from breast milk. Wait until your child is over a year old before offering him fish or fish oil supplements.
Step 2
Feed your child fish often. Choose low mercury fish, such as sardines, salmon and trout. Expose your child to fish early to help her develop a taste for fish. The Guardian UK suggests preparing a variety of entrees using fish to see what your child likes best, such as salmon on noodles with soy sauce or tuna baked with pasta and tomato sauce.
Step 3
Find a fish oil supplement that your child likes. Straight fish oil can have an unpleasant taste. Several vitamin companies now make fish oil pills in gummy form, making the supplements more palatable to children. Visit your drugstore to look for candy-like fish oil supplements that your child will take without complaining.
Step 4
Teach your child to swallow pills. Swallowing a whole fish oil pill will prevent her from ever having to taste the fish oil.
Step 5
Try masking the fish oil's flavor. If you prefer to give your child a liquid fish oil supplement, try mixing the oil into a fruit smoothie or citrus juice to hide the fish oil taste.
Tips and Warnings
- "ADDitude" magazine suggests that children take 1 g of omega 3 fatty acids per day.
- Buy pharmaceutical grade fish oil to ensure the supplement you are giving your child is low in mercury.
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