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
What about mixing it in with OJ? I have done this, and it tastes a little fishy, but if I just chug it down it’s okay. It does leave an oily texture in my mouth. I hid some in some fruit juice for my son too. He drank it all, no problem, but I wonder if the sugar in the juice would negate the benefits of CLO.
I started giving my little one FCLO when he was 2. He didn't care for it the first week or so – but I think when starting at an age like that, it's all about the reactions. If you wait or hesitate, or watch them take it, they are apprehensive about it! I'd take a small baby spoon, put a bit on it, serve and walk away without notice. After a couple weeks he started asking for it! I started giving it to my next baby at about 6 months and at 18 months she asks for more each time. 🙂
Personally I take the capsules! Though I've heard a small amount of honey on the spoon helps the gel go down easier.
Thank you for clarification as to what the burn in the back of my throat is all about. I was a little concerned that maybe I was sensitive to it. So glad to realize it's just lactic acid. Maybe I'll follow up with some butter (yum) since I can't do other forms of dairy.
We have the licorice (because it was on clearance, lol) and my boys, 4 and 6, just take a squirt to the back of the mouth followed by a small spoon of honey. They've done this for the past few years.
Babies should always get plain. You can transition to a flavored one at about 12-18 months old.
Thank you, Sarah. That is very helpful. If you have time, why the antioxidant free for my baby and for how long would we need a different type?
Hi Michelle, congratulations on your healthy change in lifestyle! If the fermented cod liver oil is for your baby, get the antioxidant free liquid. If it is for you, either mint or oslo orange liquid is great. I would also suggest taking the butter oil .. we take the capsules in our family (2 per day per person). Hope that helps!
Help! I've been to the Green Pastures site four or five times and I don't know what to order. I'm a 39 y.o. mother of a 9 month old. I am in the process of changing our diet and overcoming a sugar/grain addiction which I believe has robbed me of physical and mental health and vitality most of my life. I haven't had either in over six weeks! I know we need this supplement but there are so many options: with butter oil/without, cod liver or skate, flavors, ghee, liquids, caps and gels…. I don't know where to start! Any suggestions for my first order?? Thank you!
the spicy orange fermented skate liver oil is a great alternative to the FCLO if you're a gagger. i find a glass of raw milk is the best way to take it. my kids take it neat.
Our method of taking fclo has helped several to get it down easier…especially some men who thought they could only take capsules (which is costly in the long haul). Close off the back of the throat with the tongue and to slightly tip back the head. Fill the syringe provided by GP to the appropriate dosage and aim it to the back of the throat and dispense. Swallow and immediately follow with a swallow or two of milk, milk kefir or coffee with cream. It seems the fat in the milk/cream picks up the oil in the milk and helps wash it down, lessening any burn. My children like to follow with elderberry syrup or gum with xylitol, which is a nice treat for taking something difficult.
For those with older children who are reluctant to take it, I would encourage you to lay down the law in a diplomatic way. Sit down with them at a time that is not full of the tension that surrounds dosing time. It would be ideal for both parents to be on the same page if possible. Explain that some things in their life are negotiable, but this is not. Be honest and tell them that you think it is pretty nasty, too, but that you know what the benefits are, so that makes it easier for you. Let them help come up with a solution to getting it down. I feel strongly enough that this is one of the most important things we take that I would be willing to offer some reward or compensation…a quarter for their bank, a treat of some sort, so much praise they are overwhelmed, mom standing on her head, whatever! Take the fight out of it, and don't let it become a battleground. You may have to think about a plan for a few days before you come up with the best solution, but there is always something you can POSITIVELY leverage with children. If all else fails, make a deal with them that they can take the capsules every third day if they take the liquid on the other days with no fight. Stick to whatever plan you agree to, because children will lose respect for a weakly executed agreement.
I know this is long, but am praying it helps someone.
In the Green Pastures blended products (FCLO/BO together), the ratio is 3:1, so I assume this is the right ratio if you are taking them separately.
With regard to a Mother's diet, the baby should still get a FCLO supplement as many Mothers have gut and absorption issues they may not be aware of so it is best to give the supplement to baby directly starting at 3 months. Mothers seem to be especially low in vitamin D – so much so that for a long time, it was assumed that breastmilk didn't even have vitamin D in it. Turns out, it was just the Mother's that had such low levels of it.