Why Are Omega-3 and Omega-6 So Important for Babies?

These two essential nutrients have gotten a lot of hype lately for their crucial role in infant nutrition, and parents want to know exactly why they're so important for their babies. Omega-3 and omega-6 are two families of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, or LCPUFAs for short, and they help our bodies function normally. So, if you want to understand omegas better and what they mean for your baby's diet, keep reading!

What Are Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids?

LPCUFAs are a special family of complex fats. In this family, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the omega-3 essential fatty acids, and arachidonic acid (ARA) is one of the omega-6 essential fatty acids. 

DHA and ARA are considered "essential" because we need them for our bodies to function, but our bodies cannot produce them on their own so we have to ingest them through our diets.

DHA and ARA are also important components of breast milk and common baby formula ingredients. In fact, DHA is a required ingredient in European formulas, although the FDA considers it optional. As for ARA, it remains an optimal ingredient in both European and American infant formulas.

Now that we understand what omega-3 and omega-6 are, let's take a closer look at how they benefit your baby.

How Do Omega-3 and Omega-6 Support Your Baby's Development?

A healthy balance of DHA and ARA is vital for the normal development of your baby's brain, nervous system, sensory organs (especially the retina), and cognitive performance. These essential fatty acids help your little one learn and think and also support healthy vision. What a powerful duo!

DHA is the predominant fat in the brain and retina-it accounts for up to 97% of the omega-3 fats in the brain and up to 93% of the omega-3 fats in the retina, playing a crucial role in cognition and vision.

Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA also have anti-inflammatory effects that support a strong immune system. Omega-6 fatty acids, on the other hand, like ARA (arachidonic acid), play an important part in hormone production, cell growth, and immune function. Other omega-6 fats, like linoleic acid, can support heart health by positively influencing cholesterol levels.

Omega Fatty Acids in Formula and Breast Milk

If you formula feed your little one, you'll be glad to know that the European formulas we offer on our shop meet the strict nutritional standards set out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which regulates the permissible levels of DHA and ARA in infant and follow-on formula. As of 2022, the EFSA has set a minimum requirement of 20 mg of DHA per 100 calories of infant formula with no minimum for ARA.

Experts explicitly support infant formula fortified with DHA and ARA as studies have revealed that formula without these fatty acids can result in significantly lower fatty acid levels in formula-fed babies than breastfed infants since breast milk naturally contains these nutrients.

If your baby is breastfed, it's important to be aware that the DHA intake of your maternal diet affects how much DHA you can pass on to your baby through your breast milk, as confirmed in a study conducted by the International Breastfeeding Journal in the USA.

This also means that you can take steps to ensure your breast milk contains sufficient levels of DHA for your baby by consuming more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fish, eggs, flax seeds, and walnuts. Our Western diets tend to be rich in omega-6s from foods like safflower and soybean oil, mayo, and tofu, so breastfeeding mothers don't usually need to explicitly try to increase their ARA intake.

Conclusion: Importance of DHA and ARA in Babies' Diet

PUFAs are a beneficial part of your baby's diet that supports brain and visual development, among other bodily functions and overall health. While DHA is a mandatory ingredient in European formulas, it is optional in the USA. ARA remains an optional ingredient in both. Thankfully, most baby formula manufacturers recognize the importance of these essential fatty acids and ensure that they are fortified in the milk, whether required by law or not. Breast milk naturally contains these nutrients for breastfed babies, and mothers can adapt their diets to ensure sufficient quantities of both.