Find Prenatal Supplements & Baby Care

DHA is one of the key building blocks for fetal development, a period during which DHA rapidly accumulates in specific tissues where it is needed upon birth—the brain, eyes, liver, adipose (fat), and skeletal muscle. Once an infant is born, DHA is important for healthy vision, healthy cognition, and a healthy immune system.* Statistically, mothers with high DHA levels during pregnancy have longer pregnancies and fewer preterm births (<34 weeks). Babies born to these moms tend to have higher birth weights and experience earlier gains in visual and cognitive development.*

While growing, the fetus obtains DHA solely through the mother, so it’s imperative that mom has adequate DHA stores to support not only her baby’s developing needs, but also her own. A developing baby accumulates DHA throughout the pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. From week 35 to week 40, on average, a fetus gains 45% more weight. Over the same period, DHA accumulates as much as 840%! As the fetus ramps up DHA absorption, that same DHA is lost from the mother. If the mother already has low DHA status, then this last-minute demand puts her at risk of DHA insufficiency, which can have serious implications. Low maternal DHA upon birth has been associated with an increased risk of postpartum baby blues or changes in mood.* This is especially problematic for mothers who intend to breastfeed, since DHA insufficiency will be reflected in their milk and, ultimately, could also put the infant at risk for DHA insufficiency.

The good news is that mothers who consume more DHA in just the last few weeks of pregnancy give birth to babies with significantly higher DHA levels. This means that it’s never too late to increase your DHA intake.

When choosing a quality prenatal multivitamin supplement, be sure to look for essential vitamins that are provided in their biologically active forms as much as possible, and minerals that are provided in chelated forms so they can be more easily absorbed.

Adequate folate (vitamin B9) levels are critical at conception and during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.* Look for a prenatal supplement that includes folate as methylfolate (5-MTHF) instead of folic acid. Methylfolate is identical to the natural, active form of vitamin B9 found in foods like spinach and beans, while folic acid is synthetic and requires conversion to be used by the body. Many people have genetic variants that reduce this conversion, making it hard to meet folate needs, especially during pregnancy. Since most people don’t know if they have these variants, it’s wise to supplement with the active form, methylfolate (5-MTHF).

Similar to folate, vitamin B12 is better absorbed in its active methylated form, methylcobalamin, compared to the synthetic version, cyanocobalamin.

Another variable to consider is the form of the minerals in the formula. When taken in supplement form, minerals can be difficult for our digestive systems to absorb. Minerals in chelated forms (i.e. those bound to a chelating agent such as an amino acid) have been found to be better absorbed when compared to non-chelated minerals). Specifically, look for chelated iron, as some forms, like ferrous fumarate, may cause constipation, which is undesirable during pregnancy. A prenatal multivitamin/mineral formula that includes chelated iron, such as ferrous bisglycinate chelate, is ideal, as studies suggest it doesn’t lead to constipation.*

Another crucial nutrient for your health and your developing baby is choline. Unfortunately, many prenatal multis either don’t contain any or lack adequate amounts. Higher maternal choline intakes have been shown to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (independent of folate intake) while also improving cognition and lowering levels of circulating cortisol (stress hormone).* This is significant because lowering a baby’s production of cortisol could promote better health over their lifetime.* Research has also shown that children who received additional choline in utero showed increased attention span, memory, and problem-solving at age seven, making choline a nutrient with lasting health benefits and one you don’t want to miss out on.*

To support your health and your baby during the postpartum period, continue to take a complete prenatal multivitamin that includes choline and vitamin D for at least six months after giving birth or while breastfeeding and/or pumping. This may help you reduce essential nutritional insufficiencies, which can often leave new moms feeling tired and may lead to mood imbalances and a host of other unwanted symptoms.*

It’s also important to keep taking an omega-3 supplement. A substantial amount of research suggests that a daily dose of 300mg (or more) of EPA+DHA supports a healthy mood, which many women find they need during the postpartum period. And if you are breastfeeding or pumping, it is another critical time to ensure you’re getting enough EPA and DHA to support both your and your baby’s omega-3 needs.*

Typically, the first and most times the only supplement your doctor will recommend for your baby is 400 IU of vitamin D. Vitamin D is supportive in building and maintaining bone density as well as muscle development and function. It also supports healthy sleep and can help regulate babies' immune function.*

The second supplement to prioritize for your baby is omega-3 DHA. It’s important to note that your pediatrician may not mention DHA, but that does not mean it's not crucial for babies’ growth and development. DHA is the most concentrated in the brain and eye, so it is critical in supporting babies' brain and eye development.* Observational studies have shown that adequate omega-3 levels help to support babies' cognitive, social, and physical development by promoting visual acuity, performance on measures of language and cognition, mental and motor skill development, and attention control.* DHA supplementation is also very important for preterm infants born prior to 37 weeks who miss out on the rapid DHA accumulation from mom during the final weeks of the third trimester of pregnancy.* Additionally, if you're breastfeeding, the levels of DHA in your milk can vary based on your own diet. Supplementing can help ensure your baby gets enough of this vital nutrient.

And lastly, you might consider adding a probiotic as a helpful supplement to support your baby's health.* The infant gut is believed to lay the foundation for the health of the adult microbiome, influencing overall gut health throughout life.*

Studies have shown that regularly incorporating probiotics into a child's diet can:

• Support a healthy immune response in c-section-delivered babies*
• Support baby's immune health*
• Lessen crying time and other symptoms related to colic*
• Support overall gut health and function*

Please note that probiotics may not be recommended for some premature infants, children using intravenous medical devices, and babies with compromised immune systems. With any supplement recommendations, always consult with your pediatrician first.

With sufficient maternal nutrition, breastmilk naturally provides infants younger than 6 months with a complete source of nutrition. While it’s widely recognized that breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants, many women don’t get enough vitamin D in their diets. As a result, the levels of vitamin D in breastmilk are often insufficient to meet an infant’s needs. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that exclusively breastfed infants should receive a daily supplement of 400 IU of vitamin D.

In addition to supplementing breastfeeding infants with vitamin D shortly after birth, another way to support their vitamin D status is through maternal supplementation. However, the amount of vitamin D a woman needs to provide adequate levels to her infant through breastmilk has yet to be established. Consequently, in the absence of formal recommendations for breastfeeding moms, infant supplementation is highly recommended.

The gut microbiome is non-existent at birth but undergoes extensive development during the first few years of life. Colonization of the gut begins in early infancy and continues until age three, when the composition of the microbiota becomes adult-like. Therefore, the first three years of development are critical for establishing a healthy gut, which shapes children’s immune and digestive health across the lifespan. It’s important to note risk factors for poor gut health include cesarean delivery, preterm birth, exposure to antibiotics, and formula feeding. But do not stress if your child carries one or more of these risk factors—probiotic foods and supplements can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut and stimulate immune function for greater overall health.*

A growing amount of literature finds that probiotics represent a safe and effective way to support a healthy gut microbiota during early development.* Studies have shown that regularly incorporating probiotics into a child's diet can:

• Support a healthy immune response in c-section delivered babies*
• Support baby's immune health*
• Lessen crying time and other symptoms related to colic*
• Support overall gut health and function*

Please note that probiotics may not be recommended for some premature infants, children using intravenous medical devices, and babies with compromised immune systems. With any supplement recommendations, always consult with your pediatrician first.

Babies require adequate nutrition to support the important changes occurring in early development—particularly a sufficient amount of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (which are found in fish oil). Because these foundational nutrients affect numerous cellular and physiological processes associated with growth, EPA and DHA are considered critical for normal development during infancy and toddlerhood. DHA, in particular, is necessary for the growth and maturation of an infant’s brain and eyes, and is required in large amounts during pregnancy and the first few years following birth. Observational studies have shown that adequate omega-3 levels help to support babies' cognitive, social, and physical development by promoting: visual acuity, performance on measures of language and cognition, mental and motor skill development, and attention control.* DHA supplementation is also particularly important for preterm infants born prior to 37 weeks who miss out on the rapid DHA accumulation from mom during the final weeks of the third trimester of pregnancy.*

In terms of dosing, based on infant body body weight, the max safe daily dose ranges from 167 mg EPA+DHA (5-10 lb newborn) to 838 mg (26-35 lb). Please follow label directions to determine the right dose for your baby based on their weight, unless you’ve had your milk tested and can ensure that your baby is receiving the omega-3s they need through your breastmilk alone.

Babies require vitamin D supplementation because their natural sources of this essential vitamin are insufficient to meet their developmental needs. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in helping babies absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are critical for building strong bones.* Beyond bone health, vitamin D also supports the developing immune and respiratory systems in infants.*

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies receive vitamin D supplementation daily beginning within the first few days of life and continuing until they consume adequate amounts of vitamin D-fortified foods. Breast milk, while providing optimal nutrition in most areas, typically contains only 5-80 IU per liter of vitamin D, which is insufficient to meet the daily requirement of 400 IU for infants. Even formula-fed babies may need supplementation unless they consume at least 32 ounces of vitamin D-fortified formula daily.

Depending on the supplement, your baby can start taking them anywhere from birth to 6 months.

To meet the recommended 400 IU of vitamin D, breastfed infants should be given vitamin D3 from birth. If your baby is formula-fed, most standard formulas are fortified with vitamin D. However, if your baby is consuming less than 32oz of formula per day they may still need to supplement with vitamin D3.

Following birth, babies receive DHA through breast milk, formulas fortified with DHA, or DHA supplementation (i.e. fish oil). For exclusively breastfed infants, an important consideration is whether the mothers’ omega-3 levels are sufficient. If a breastfeeding mother has been tested and found to have acceptable omega-3 levels, then the baby does not need additional supplementation. However, given the evidence that many women of childbearing age do not consume sufficient omega-3s, it should not be assumed that breastfeeding mothers have adequate omega-3 levels to provide their babies with adequate amounts of DHA through their breastmilk alone. In the absence of formal testing (or if testing reveals that the mother has insufficient levels), breastfed children should supplement with DHA, similarly to non-breastfed children. And regarding formula-fed infants, although many infant formulas are now fortified with DHA, because the quantity and quality of DHA may be less than ideal and react poorly with exposure to oxygen or heat, children may not be receiving the amount of DHA expected. Because of this, it is advisable to provide your baby with additional supplementation with a high-quality, triglyceride form omega-3 fish oil.

Research indicates that introducing probiotics to your baby’s diet around 6 months can be beneficial. It is also advised to consult with your child’s pediatrician before starting probiotics, particularly if your baby is younger than 6 months. The first three years of development are critical for establishing a healthy gut, which shapes children’s immune and digestive health across the lifespan. Risk factors for poor gut health include cesarean delivery, preterm birth, exposure to antibiotics, and formula feeding. Probiotic foods and supplements can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut and stimulate immune function for greater overall health.*

Nordic Naturals recommends weight-based dosing for infants 0 to 12 months rather than age-based dosing to better account for the wide range of nutritional needs among infants of the same age. This approach is especially important for preterm or growth-restricted infants, whose rapid catch-up growth and unique metabolic demands are better matched by weight-based dosing protocols used in clinical studies. Regulatory bodies, such as the Netherlands Health Council, recommend 20 mg/kg/day of DHA for infants 0–5 months, recognizing that body weight is a more accurate reflection of an infant’s nutritional requirements than chronological age. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations also specifically recommends DHA intake of 10–12 mg/kg body weight for infants aged 6–24 months, further highlighting the advantages of weight-based over age-based dosing for this group. This approach is further supported by research showing that individuals with higher body weight or BMI—which is closely linked to body fat percentage, though not a direct measure—need relatively larger amounts of omega-3s to reach the same tissue concentrations as those with lower BMI or body weight.

Scientific evidence shows that omega-3 fatty acids are critical for neurodevelopment and immune function during infancy*. Since the brain and eyes grow rapidly in the first year, infants have high and variable requirements for omega-3 fatty acids, which are best met by tailoring doses to individual body weight rather than age alone.

In summary, weight-based omega-3 dosing for infants is supported by both clinical research and physiological evidence. This approach is uniquely suited to the dynamic and individualized needs of infants, potentially providing more accurate and effective supplementation than age-based dosing.

Weight-based dosing may be especially important for infants because of their unique and rapidly changing body composition. By six months, infants accumulate significant body fat, which can store fat-soluble nutrients like DHA and EPA, but this does not guarantee these nutrients are available for essential functions such as brain development.* Research shows that individuals who weigh more often have lower circulating levels of these nutrients after supplementation, highlighting the need for higher doses to achieve physiological effects. As infants gain more body fat (adipose tissue), this fat may not release stored omega-3s into the bloodstream as efficiently. Because of this, infants who weigh more and/or have a larger percentage of body fat may need higher doses of omega-3s to ensure enough reaches their blood and vital organs.

Growth velocity is another critical factor: infants can double their weight within the first 4-6 months, while older children and adults experience much slower and more predictable changes in body size. This rapid and variable growth makes age-based dosing unreliable for infants, as two babies of the same age can have dramatically different weights and, consequently, different dosing needs. Since infants and young children require high levels of circulating omega-3s for brain development, weight-based dosing helps ensure each infant receives an adequate amount, accounting for rapid and variable growth that is not present in older age groups.

This formula provides more DHA than EPA (with a DHA: EPA ratio of 1.4:1) primarily to support specific developmental needs, particularly in the brain and eye, which are especially important for infants.* Expert consensus and regulatory guidelines recommend that the amount of EPA in infant formula should not exceed the amount of DHA. As a result, the DHA: EPA ratio should be at least 1:1 or higher in favor of DHA.

Although DHA is the primary omega-3 fatty acid found in the brain and retina—and has received the most research attention—evidence shows that EPA also plays a significant role in infant health. While DHA is essential for brain and retinal development, EPA enhances DHA utilization, supports immune system development, and provides unique developmental benefits.*

Research suggests that not getting enough EPA can interfere with brain development in infants, because EPA helps DHA get properly absorbed into their tissues. Also, only a small amount of DHA—about 4% to 11%—can be turned back into EPA. This means that if pregnant women take only DHA supplements and don’t get enough EPA from their diet, they might not keep a healthy balance of eicosanoids, which are important signaling molecules in the body.