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When can babies have cod liver oil?
Can babies have cod liver oil?
Cod liver oil is a supplement, not a food, so give it to a baby only if your pediatrician recommends it. It is very high in vitamin A, which can build up to harmful levels, especially if your baby also takes a multivitamin. For vitamin D, pediatricians usually recommend plain vitamin D drops for breastfed babies instead. Fish like salmon and sardines are a better way to get omega-3 fats.
How to serve cod liver oil by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Skip cod liver oil unless your pediatrician recommends it. Breastfed babies usually get 400 IU of vitamin D a day from plain vitamin D drops, and you can offer smooth pureed salmon or sardines on a spoon for omega-3s.
7–8 months
Keep skipping cod liver oil unless your pediatrician recommends it, and offer fish instead. Mash or finely flake soft-cooked salmon or sardines into lumpier foods, or offer soft flakes that squash easily between your fingers.
9–12 months
Keep offering low-mercury fish about 1 to 2 times a week instead of oil supplements. If your doctor does recommend cod liver oil, use their exact dose and an infant product.
12 months +
Toddlers still get omega-3s best from fish. If a cod liver oil product is recommended, give it with food and check that the total vitamin A from all supplements stays within the daily limit.
Why it’s good
Cod liver oil contains the omega-3 fats DHA and EPA, vitamin D and a lot of vitamin A. These nutrients matter for brain, eye and bone growth, but babies can get them from breast milk or formula, fish, eggs and vitamin D drops without the risk of too much vitamin A.
Safety notes
- Cod liver oil is high in preformed vitamin A (retinol). Too much over time can harm the liver and bones. Do not combine it with other vitamin A supplements unless your doctor says so.
- Never force oil into a crying, coughing or lying-down baby. Oil breathed into the lungs can cause a serious lung injury (lipoid pneumonia).
- Use only products made for infants and children, and measure with the dropper that comes with the product, not a kitchen spoon.
- Cod liver oil is not the same as fish oil. Fish oil is made from fish flesh and has much less vitamin A and D.
- Supplements are not tightly regulated. Choose a brand with third-party testing for mercury and other contaminants.
Introduce cod liver oil on its own, then keep it in
Cod liver oil is made from fish, one of the Top 9 allergens. Refined oils contain very little fish protein, but reactions are possible. Do not give cod liver oil to a child with fish allergy without talking to their allergist.
Cod liver oil for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about cod liver oil for babies and toddlers.
Can babies have cod liver oil?
Only if your pediatrician recommends it. Cod liver oil is a supplement very high in vitamin A, and most babies get the nutrients it offers from breast milk or formula, fish and vitamin D drops.
Is cod liver oil a good source of vitamin D for babies?
It does contain vitamin D, but plain vitamin D drops are the usual recommendation for breastfed babies, because they give 400 IU a day without extra vitamin A.
Can cod liver oil give my baby too much vitamin A?
Yes. Cod liver oil contains preformed vitamin A, which can build up in the body. Giving it alongside a multivitamin or other supplements increases the risk.
What is the difference between cod liver oil and fish oil?
Cod liver oil comes from the liver of cod and is high in vitamins A and D. Fish oil comes from fish flesh and mainly provides omega-3 fats, with little vitamin A or D.
Do babies need omega-3 supplements?
Most babies do not. Breast milk and most infant formulas contain DHA, and fish like salmon and sardines 2 to 3 times a week give older babies and toddlers plenty of omega-3s.
How do I give cod liver oil safely?
If your pediatrician recommends it, give the exact dose with the product’s own dropper, with your baby sitting upright and calm, ideally mixed into food.
Can babies with fish allergy have cod liver oil?
Ask your child’s allergist first. Even refined oils may carry traces of fish protein.
Can cod liver oil help with my baby’s eczema?
There is no strong evidence that cod liver oil helps eczema in babies. Talk to your pediatrician about eczema care and allergen introduction.
At what age can babies have cod liver oil?
There is no set age to start cod liver oil; give it to a baby only if your pediatrician recommends it. Cod liver oil is very high in vitamin A, which can build up to harmful levels. Breastfed babies usually get vitamin D from plain drops, and fish like salmon provides omega-3s.
The takeaway
- Cod liver oil is a supplement, not a food, so give it to a baby only if your pediatrician recommends it.
- Skip cod liver oil unless your pediatrician recommends it.
- Choking risk is low. Fish is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Recommended Drinks for Young Children Ages 0-5 American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Advice about Eating Fish U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.