The benefits of giving babies cod liver oil, at what age to begin, how to administer, and the daily dosage as recommended by the experts.
Should babies get cod liver oil as a supplement? If so, how young should this age-old traditional food be started? Are all brands of cod liver oil the same, or are there some that are vetted to be of higher quality?
The short answer is yes, babies need cod liver oil even if they are exclusively breastfed. More on this recommendation, timing, and dosages as suggested by the Weston A. Price Foundation below. (1)
Which Cod Liver Oil is Best for Babies?
Dr. Weston A. Price was very clear about the type of cod liver oil to give babies and children. It should be the high vitamin variety.
Unfortunately, almost all companies that produce cod liver oil have cheapened their manufacturing process over the years to either remove natural vitamins A/D and replace them with synthetic versions, reduce the amounts of A/D, or both.
In other words, most brands of cod liver oil are no longer considered high vitamin. Only a few quality ones remain on the market!
For example, Carlson’s brand of cod liver oil used to be recommended by the Weston Price Foundation only to be dropped from the list because the company started removing some of the natural vitamin A.
A few companies refused to cheapen their products and stopped using Norwegian manufacturers because the natural vitamin A/D was replaced with synthetic versions. A method for producing a high vitamin cod liver oil by fermenting the cod livers (not the oil!) was developed.
The resulting product is produced with no heat or solvents. However, this form of cod liver oil contains some beneficial lactic acid which can produce a mild burning sensation on the back of the throat for about 10% of folks who take it.
In those cases, extra virgin cod liver oil is a good option (such as this brand). This type of cod liver oil is raw and produced without heat or solvents. Additionally, it contains no lactic acid, which is easier for some to tolerate, especially babies and young children.
Health and Developmental Benefits
The benefits of adequate (natural) vitamin A and D from cod liver oil in a growing child’s diet are significant. Two of the most important are naturally straight teeth and improved learning at school.
Other benefits include the development of healthy bone structure, higher IQ, increased lung capacity, lowered risk for autoimmune disease, and markedly reduced risk for respiratory infection among many others. (2)
Appropriate Age and Dosage
What is the appropriate dosage for a young child given that the daily recommended intake of vitamin D has increased significantly in recent years?
When my children reached 3 months old, I started giving them 1/4 tsp of high vitamin cod liver oil daily with an eyedropper. All were exclusively breastfed. Incidentally, I was taking high vitamin cod liver oil myself on a daily basis as well. Moms need natural A/D too!
For example, Sally Fallon Morell, President of the Weston Price Foundation, told me that her grandchildren received 1/2 tsp of cod liver oil on a daily basis when they were babies. They started receiving this supplement at age 3 months and experienced no problems.
This is double the dose that I gave my own children! But, the appropriate daily dosage of vitamin D for children has increased significantly in recent years as scientists uncovered additional information about this remarkable nutrient.
Krill or Fish Oil Not a Good Substitute
It is important to not use krill oil or fish oil as a substitute for cod liver oil. Krill oil contains no vitamin D and very little vitamin A.
Similarly, plain fish oil is not a desirable substitute as it is a highly industrialized product (processed at high temperatures) and contains no natural vitamin A or D whatsoever. Â
High vitamin cod liver oil (this is the brand I’ve used since 2015) is far superior to other forms of marine oils on the market.
How to Give Babies Cod Liver Oil
There are several ways to ensure a baby is getting the proper amount of cod liver oil for optimum growth.
Eye Dropper
The easiest way to give babies cod liver oil is to put the 1/4-1/2 tsp daily dosage in a bottle of expressed Mother’s milk. You can also eye dropper it into the baby’s mouth a drop at a time if you aren’t pumping.
Formula
If you are not nursing, consider using this homemade baby formula developed by a PhD in Nutritional Sciences. It contains high vitamin cod liver oil as one of the key ingredients.
Skin Method
Another option is to apply cod liver oil to the skin. It absorbs quite well this way. For babies, try rubbing some on their bottom during a diaper change.
Note that old-time brands of diaper rash ointment used to contain cod liver oil!
Older Children Â
As children get older, a spoon can be used. My children all take high vitamin cod liver oil right off the spoon and chase with water. My youngest transitioned to this approach at weaning age with no trouble.
This video shows you how to give children cod liver oil based on my own experience over the years and coaching others on Traditional Diet.
If you have a creative way to get cod liver oil into your babies and children that would be helpful to share, please add in the comments section.  I would be very interested to hear of your experiences as I’m sure others would as well.
References
(1, 2) Weston A. Price Foundation: Cod Liver Oil
If the mother is eating a healthy diet and taking CLO, would there not be enough vitamins passed through the mother's milk to her baby?
My 2 yr. old loves to help me juice in the morning, so when she is almost done with her "green juice" as she calls it I add the FCLO, which she endearingly calls her "yucky vitamin". The funny thing is that she gets excited for her "yucky vitamin" and always "reminds me" to add it to her juice. We use the unflavored kind.
I am wondering how much high vitamin butter oil to give. Is it a one-to-one ratio? Currently, we do 1/4t. of both (clearly I need to increase her doesage). What about for adults and the butter oil?
1 tsp is appropriate for an older child and a bit more for an adult (1 1/3 tsp to equal 4000 IU vitamin D). Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should take 1 Tbl.
For nursing mothers, is that 1 Tbsp. of just the FCLO liquid? I am only taking 1 tsp. the FCLO/BO gel blend, how much should I really be taking of that particular variety?
Hehe, I’m glad I read this … I just went and took a big spoonful. I realize I’m in the extreme minority here, but I find the stuff delicious and have to restrain myself from taking too much (since it’s so expensive). 😀 The suggested serving size on the back of the bottle reads 1/2 tsp (this is the FCLO and HVBO blend) so that’s what I’ve been limiting myself to every day.
I realize this is an older post but isn’t the WAPF recommendation for pregnant and nursing mothers only 2 tsp? I am having a hard time getting even the 2 down!
How much should an older child take (age 11-14)? How much should an adult take?
Or…where can I find the amounts recommended for all ages? thanks!
Hey Ashley!
I have the same problem (so I don't blame my daughter!) and actually the gummy fish I bought HER I can handle way better then the liquid. GP also has them in capsule form I think? Maybe you want to try that?
Thanks Sarah- so I will order the cinna liquid next time and get her to hold her nose or something and follow with cold h2o. It will still be a fight, sadly.. I just don't like the idea of having kids eat healthfully but ALWAYS find it distasteful. She is really picky.. I have tried all the tricks to "hide" the healthy stuff in kid friendly foods that I can find!
😉
Jani
Does anyone have some tips for taking the FCLO as an adult? I took the cod liver oil from Green Pastures no problem before it only came fermented. I tried the FCLO and gagged every time – once I actually threw up. I was pregnant at the time though, so maybe it would be better now, but I seem to have developed a mental block 😉
I had a really hard time taking it too so I put it in the fridge to make it a little firmer, then scrape out my teaspoon- it stays congealed, and then take it like a pill while I down a cup of water. Really helps with the taste- plus the cinnamon flavor is so far the easiest to take
No, that is not what I meant. Thank you for having me clarify this important point. You are right, the homemade formula recipe already has FCLO in it. I think it might be more precise (to make sure the baby is getting the correct daily dosage) to make the formula without the FCLO (the oil doesn't mix well with the milk if you've noticed) and then be sure to add 1/2 tsp of FCLO to one of the baby's bottles each day or divide the dose between 2 bottles.
The gels have some texture issues. Not sure your child would care for it much. My kids have found it easiest to just hold their breath, take the liquid FCLO off the spoon and swallow some water (cinnamon seems to be the favorite flavor). Chasing with water seems best for some reason. Chasing with juice or milk seems to make it even harder to swallow as the mixing of the flavor of the FCLO and the juice/milk is very unpalatable.
My baby has been having green pastures clo with harmless harvest coconut water. A tiny cup of coconut water clo on top. It’s a delicious combo. I take it that way too. She loves it!
So you're saying that if you feed your baby the homemade baby formula (which contains the FCLO) you should still give an extra 1/2 tsp dose of it daily?
Oh THANK YOU for bringing up this issue! I believe very strongly in CLO and came to the same conclusions as you have about green pastures. I am hoping someone can help us though! My 5yo is a VERY fussy eater and I have been giving her the "gummy fish" and raspberry flavoured butter oil. It is like WWIII every breakfast time. Tears, the works and I just HATE knowing that she has such a negative view on something so healthy. "mama knows best" just isn't cutting it here. Any other parents out there have any tricks or ideas? It has to be "well chewed" according to the label… has any one had any luck switching to one of the gels? Thanks!