There’s now more evidence that consuming supplements of the omega 3 fatty acid DHA - naturally found in breast milk - could allow new moms to contribute to the development of their baby’s brain and visual system.

A study found that children whose mothers received a 200mg dose of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for the first four months of breastfeeding performed better on a test of sustained attention than those whose mothers received a placebo, suggesting supplementation of DHA during breastfeeding elevates these levels.

DHA is an essential fatty acid naturally present in breast milk, and a key building block of the developing infant’s brain and visual system. The human body cannot produce sufficient amounts of DHA for the needs of the eye and brain consequently it must be consumed through foods, such as cold water fatty fish, or in supplemental form.

Source: DHA from mother boosts infant development