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.
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
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
I just wanted to comment on other comments from people saying they gave their baby the FCLO straight into their mouth with a dropper or spoon; I would not recommend this! I just tried it with my 5 month old, and she started screaming and crying harder than I have ever seen her cry. It was terrible. I could tell it was burning her throat because she started coughing a lot. I felt so terrible. I would really recommend mixing it with breast milk and giving it that way to cut the sting. I don’t wish the sorrow of seeing your baby that upset on anyone! Happy ending: she calmed down after getting a bottle of milk from daddy; I had one bottle with the FCLO and one without and she could tell the difference!! This will be trickier than I thought at 5 months!
Ditto! I gave to my 5-month old twin boys. One was ok, and one screamed and cried and coughed for several minutes. I also felt terrible and vowed never to give it straight again (as babies, anyway)…yet all of our baby bottles smell like fish and my little one turns up his nose before he even tastes what’s in the bottle, which is sometimes only breast milk. They can definitely tell if there’s even 1/8 of a tsp in their milk, and sometimes refuse it. I may have to try rubbing it on their skin, although I’m not sure if an equivalent dose gets absorbed that way?
Anyone have any tricks to get the smell out of silicone bottles? I know I should probably switch to glass, but they love the natural breast shape of the silicone ones.
Well Jessica, I feel your pain! So hard to have your little one upset! And my bottles stink too (we use Dr Browns). I tried the dishwasher but it actually did a way worse cleaning job than handwashing. I use one of the bottle brushes with a sponge end and really douse the sponge in soap and use very hot water and scrub a lot. Sometimes I let them soak for 10 min too…They still have a slight smell but not too bad. I find the nippes can really stink unless you hand wash them by actually putting soap on your finger and running it all over the nipple piece, then rinsing on hot. We put about 1/4 tsp in 5 ounces of milk and she will drink it; sorry to hear yours won’t. I have no idea about rubbing it on the skin–would be very curious to know if that would work…although that would make one stinky baby, lol, but anything for good health! 😉
Michelle, thanks for the suggestions! We use Comotomo bottles, and yes, the nipples are the worst. I think the problem was that I added the fclo to only a couple ounces of milk the first time, so it really stunk up the bottles & tipped them off to my trick. Our bottle cleaner is a brush, so maybe that’s also the issue. I can see how a sponge tip would work better, and I will try more soap directly on the nipples. Sarah has a great post on how to get kids to take fclo, which includes the tip about topical application. I was also worried about smelly babies, but she says it dissipates surprisingly fast. I haven’t tried it yet, but may just do it today. Here’s her post: https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-to-get-your-child-to-take-cod-liver-oil/
Could you try soaking them in a mixture of vinegar and water?
Thanks, Kaitlyn. I did try that, and expected it to work better. Maybe I needed to use more vinegar or let it soak even longer. As Michelle P says, it is actually the nipples that are the worst.
I just ordered the green pastures cod liver oil w/ the butter oil capsules. How many would I give my 12 month old daughter?
I have a similar question… I give 1 TBS (15 ml) to my almost 13 month-old baby with a spoon. I believe that this dosage has helped her stay healthy even when mum and dad had strong ‘flu (she only sneezes and can have some mucus in her nose but nothing more). When my husband or I are sick, I increase the dosage (16 ml/daily). My question is – since I thought that this was the right dosage – what is the correct dosage of FCLO for a 1-year old baby? Good information is really very much appreciated as I am afraid I might e harming my baby instead of protecting her!
Thank you so much.
Correcting myself: I give my baby 1 tsp (= 5ml) daily (and not 15 ml!). When I increased the dosage I gave her 6 to 8 ml daily (not 16 ml!). I am not familiar with US measures 🙂
Hello, Sarah. I am giving my 4 months’ baby girl the fermented cod liver oil from Green Pasture. I just give the clo to her without adding other food at the same time, and she seems to be so happy about eating it every time. So will it burn her throat?
Hello, Sarah. I am giving my 4 months’ baby girl the fermented cod liver oil from Green Pasture. I just give the clo to her without adding other food at the same time, and she seems to be so happy about eating it every time. So will it burn her throat?
Hello,
HOw much FCLO do adults typically take and what about children 2 and above? Any suggestions would be appreciated?
We get our oil from here:
I apply it on my baby’s bottom.
I have been making the WAPF homemade baby formula for our adopted baby since he was around 3 weeks old. I did not see that I was supposed to wait on the fermented cod liver oil until he was 3 months old. Now I am worried I have been giving him something harmful with too much vitamins D and A. He is almost 2 months old. Have I endangered his health in any way? Why is it recommended to wait until the baby is 3 months old? I am very worried about this and would greatly appreciate a response.
Hi
Im just wondering if you got a reply to your question. I will be giving this to my second baby much earlier than my first. As I am not able to breast feed.
Thank you
Seana
I make the nourishing traditions baby formula for my 5 month old. I recently took my baby in to see a dietician to make sure I am doing the right thing with my baby getting everything she needs. The dietitian said the Vitamin A level was too high. In the 36 oz formula batch the level is at around 5000IU and she said infants should be getting no more than 2500IU. I am so confused now…. I’ve been reading every where and everyone says something different. Please help! Thank you.
hello i had a question about the fclo i went to the store and found a baby’s supplement called “baby’s dha” by nordic naturals it s says “made from 100% artic cod liver oil” here are the ingredients:
purified artic cod liver oil, rosemary extract (a natural preservative), d-alpha tocopherol, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
is this a good product?? or i should i just buy the FCLO by green pastures? i felt a little better bc the product is specifically marketed for “babies” and i heard about vitamin a toxicity and dangers of using too much vitamin d. my baby its 6months and he is currently being fed comercial formula “Baby’s Only” by Nature One. my milk supply dimished to the point that i dont make milk anymore 🙁 i breastfed my baby until 5months and supplemented with formula (had issues with my supply) anywho… could adding the FCLO be a problem if im giving my comercial formula???? (too much vitamin d and a? and help with the question about the nordic natural baby’s dha vs green pastures FCLO, please!
I have a healthy 2 month old and we just went for our check up at the dr office. The dr recommended a multivitamin for her. I plan on starting her on FCLO at age 3 months and she is exclusively breastfed. Does she need a multivitamin with FCLO and breast milk?