BTDT moms or anyone else who knows -- DHA

Mod-LadyCoconut · #1 May 7th, 2009, 05:25 PM

What is DHA? Do I need to be taking a supplement of it? It was casually mentioned in a prenatal thread in my DDC and I asked what it was and was told to just google it.

SOO, since you're women I know whose opinions I value... what do you know about it? Did you take it when you were pregnant?

Thaanks!

Resi · #2 May 7th, 2009, 05:35 PM

I took it before getting pregnant, while being pregnant, and I'm still taking it for BF. DHA is for infant development of the brain, eyes, and nervous system. It also provides mood and nerve support for mothers. The supplement is a fish oil - omega. I take nordic naturals Prenatal DHA. I buy it online because it's hard to find in stores.

bittersweet · #3 May 7th, 2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resi

I took it before getting pregnant, while being pregnant, and I'm still taking it for BF. DHA is for infant development of the brain, eyes, and nervous system. It also provides mood and nerve support for mothers. The supplement is a fish oil - omega. I take nordic naturals Prenatal DHA. I buy it online because it's hard to find in stores.

Good explanation. I have been taking fish oil for a few months now and will continue when pregnant. I take Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omegas. It has EPA and DHA in them. Only thing to be concerned about with fish oil is heavy metal content from the fish. But most reputable brands (Nordic Naturals is the best IMO) remove impurities and purify the oil. Also, Spectrum makes a DHA suppliment that is from vegetarian sources (algea maybe?).

But this is a fairly recent recommendation (pregnant women and DHA). Our parents didnt take it....many pregnant women now dont take it. And most babies continue to be born healthy.

~Jess~ · #4 May 7th, 2009, 07:56 PM

Yup, I took it before during and after pregnancy as well (still taking it). I also make my kiddos take it every day. Great for brain development.

greeneyes · #5 May 7th, 2009, 08:03 PM

I took it and am still taking it (I'm still taking all of my prenatals since I'm breast feeding). Resi gave a great explanation for how it helps the baby but it's also important to know that it's great for brain function and vision and heart health for mama as well.

Mod-LadyCoconut · #6 May 7th, 2009, 08:06 PM

Excellent. I guess I'll be looking for it tomorrow! I can do it separate from the prenatal though, right?

greeneyes · #7 May 7th, 2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyCoconut

Excellent. I guess I'll be looking for it tomorrow! I can do it separate from the prenatal though, right?

Yep! I get mine from GNC because I like the quality control they have with all of their products, but I have seen it at Target before. And come on, who doesn't like a trip to Target? Maybe even get some digis!

#8 May 7th, 2009, 08:12 PM

Yep its separate from the prenatal.

~Jess~ · #9 May 7th, 2009, 10:18 PM

I've always taken mine separately. I take Carlson fish oils.

ScottishBrit · #10 May 7th, 2009, 10:36 PM

Guess Im the only one that never took It

**jessie** · #11 May 7th, 2009, 11:54 PM

I take it, as well.

Angelaosaurus-rex · #12 May 8th, 2009, 12:13 AM

I never took it. Isn't it in my milk??? Or is it not because I'm not taking it??

Mars · #13 May 8th, 2009, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottishBrit

Guess Im the only one that never took It

Never took it either. Didn't even know what it was.

KellyJ009 · #14 May 8th, 2009, 04:07 AM

I have never taken it either, I asked my OB and she said she wasn't recommending it yet until more testing or something. Now I am worried about my baby's brain!

Emma&Jack's Momma · #15 May 8th, 2009, 05:07 AM

I take it in addition to my prenatal, as well! I take the Enfamil DHA with Lipil or something like that!

Adriana's Mommy · #16 May 8th, 2009, 06:22 AM

I take fish oil as well.. I did when I was pregnant with Adriana and I will with this baby.. Also, Adriana only drinks Horizon organic whole milk with DHA.. Once she's old enough, I'll switch her to a fish oil pill..

I'm kinda bummed that Primacare isnt' being made anymore, but I'm now taking Dr. Greene's Omega 3 fish oil, which is also molecularly distilled for purity.

soImarriedAnerd · #17 May 8th, 2009, 06:41 AM

I started when TTC, And I take it now, I will also take it during BF....resi explain it well. I don't know of more research that needs to be done....they are now saying it the most important supplements (it just bumped folic acid!)....they are pushing it overseas in third world countries (philippines I got tons of info on why I should be taking it even!). The reason we are now deficient in it is because once we learned you don't want mercury in your fish/diet while pregnant they told women NOT to have any fish.....well THAT was how we realized an issue. Now we know fish are important for their DHA but we still know to avoid mercury....so now we supplement! (same with kids---we know we don't want the mercury in them however we know they need the DHA).

~Jess~ · #18 May 8th, 2009, 06:42 AM

You can try giving her cod liver oil liquid. That's what my boys take. It tastes surprisingly good!

**Jenn** · #19 May 8th, 2009, 06:54 AM

I never took it while pregnant but did start after Loch was born. I didn't know anything about it before then. I will continue to take it through my next pregnancy and breastfeeding though.