[arkansas parent]

How much omega-3? I have been giving T 200mg of omega -3 a day. Does this seem like the right amount?

[Barksum]

How old is he again? I give my preschoolers 250 mg per day and have since they were toddlers. I've been thinking of upping the amount for one of them, though. My kids take capsules that can be either chewed or swallowed and are for kids 3 years and over. I used to give the kids straight oil by the teaspoon (strawberry or orange flavored, I think) when they were younger.

I've not been able to find any information indicating that there can be an overdose of Omega 3. Usually the reverse, in fact; that is, that a person can be too low.

[arkansas parent]

He is 6 almost 7.
Is it better to give it in the morning or night? Where do you get it from? I give T little critters gummy fish but it only has 200mg.

[Barksum]

I buy Nordic Naturals, usually found in a health food store. It's more expensive than other brands but I've been concerned about contamination (mercury, etc.) and so went with a higher quality. I think most fish oils now are tested, so I'm not sure that the less expensive is 'worse' and the more expensive is 'better', but you can do your own research on that if you're worried. I did find that some have other additives, like preservatives, so I've avoided those. (We live in a section of the country with one of those super fund clean up projects that will never be 'cleaned up', and the locals have been advised to not eat more than X amount of locally caught fish. I'm kind of paranoid about what is contaminated and what isn't anymore!)

The label on our bottle suggests with a meal. I do half and half; half in the a.m. and half in the evening. My 8 and 11 yo boys take a minimum of 1000 mg. per day. Came back to add that my boys have taken 1000 mg since they were 6 years old or so and could swallow the bigger capsules.

[arkansas parent]

Does it say it is for children? All the ones I find only have adult doses (except for the one I mentioned above).

Edited to add : I misread the ones we have. It only has 120mg.

[Barksum]

Nordic Naturals has fish oil in oil by the spoon form and also chewable/swallowable capsules specifically made for children. My older boys take "adult" fish oil capsules; that is, fish oil packaged for adults. You can check out Nordic products and the label info at Welcome to Nordic Naturals There are other brands that are great, too. I'm kind of lazy, I guess, because I go with whatever I can find locally.

[ScrapMonkey]

There are chewables for kids at Costco. The kids hate them, but they eat them. I've never heard a different dosage, so I follow the bottle, 200mg.

[marykath]

I have been giving Dr. Sear's Go Fish. You can order it online, and you can sign up for this thing where they send you one bottle every month and charge your card. It's liquid, and sort of orange flavored. My kids actually like it!
I give half in the a.m., half at night. It seems to make a bit of a difference.

[Barksum]

My kids LIKE their fish oil. Go figure! It's a strawberry flavor.

[arkansas parent]

I called our pharmacy and they told me I need to have our doctor recommend the correct amount. We are taking him Friday.

[wornout]

Hi,
Could someone tell me why you are giving it to your kids? I know the good things about it, but wondering if you are giving it for special needs or anything. Thanks.

[arkansas parent]

I give it for T for his ADHD symtoms (having him checked to confirmed).

[Barksum]

Fish oil is good for the cardiovascular system. Recent research has discovered that those things that improve circulation will benefit the brain. My kids have brain impairment due to prenatal drug exposure. We've found that fish oil helps (not a cure, but a help) with focus, the ability to process information, and with some self-regulation stuff with which they struggle.

We've even found it to be beneficial for other family members who don't have brain impairment, as well.