Fish oil is creating quite a buzz among parents everywhere. We’ve been giving our nine year old daughter and three year old son fish oil for seven months.
I’ve been involved in discussions about this on parenting forums during this time, and the consensus is that it’s a fabulous supplement to be giving children. It’s certainly got my vote!
Why do some parents resort to trying fish oil on their children, you may wonder? Well, some parents try it to help with behaviour problems, from mild, to full-blown ADHD. Some parents want their children to have more focus, or better sleep. I’ve even come across parents who use it for children with bowel problems, to soften their stools.
I personally wanted to try it, because my son, who was two years old at the time, was showing some challenging behaviour. We discipline him, provide interesting things for him to do, and mostly give him healthy foods to eat. The trouble was, his focus and attention span was poor. He would hit, kick, bite, push his sisters. When we tried to talk to him about his behaviour, he would hit us, or kick and pull our hair.
He had a lot of trouble sitting still at any time, and even settling down to sleep proved difficult. The kid was just wired! My fiance and I started to get concerned, and considered getting him diagnosed for ADD or ADHD. Then I remembered vaguely hearing something about fish oil.
It was when my darling partner had his first hospital visit from his paint poisoning that I became desperate. The added stress to my son, and complete change in our routine made his behaviour quite unbearable. One night, I stopped off at a supermarket on the way home from hospital, and by this point, my son was in a particularly vile mood.
A jar of fish oil caught my eye, and as my son announced to the entire supermarket that I hit him all the time (I have never hit any of my children, so you can imagine how mortified I was!), I grabbed that jar in desperation and raced to the counter.
My nine year old daughter is a really well behaved, calm, polite child. She is above average at school, and it’s rare for her to have any sort of behaviour problems, apart from normal child development, testing boundaries, etc. But, I decided to give them to her also, as I’d heard it suggested that even if a child doesn’t have any problems or issues, it’s great for the healthy development and growth of their brains. Plus, I was curious to see if it would have any impact on her as well.
And so I began my oldest two children on fish oil. After one dose, my then two year old son began to hug me more often, and constantly started to tell me he loved me. I could’ve cried with joy! Within a week, his sleep habits at night drastically improved, and he was playing more nicely and calmly.
By this stage, he was still misbehaving now and then (what two year old doesn’t?). But, the great thing was, when we tried to talk to him and explain how we wanted him to behave, he didn’t hit, kick or pull our hair. He sat still, quietly listening to what we had to say. At the end of our talks, he would say ok, instead of screaming ‘NO!’ at us. He began to show genuine remorse afterwards, too.
We quickly realised how much the fish oil was helping our son. Our then eight year old daughter was experiencing less mood swings, and said she just felt better. We also realised that with two kids on these capsules, it didn’t take long for the jar to run out. This was getting expensive! And oohh boy, when we ran out of capsules, our house became like a zoo! Our kids became irritable, and suffered terrible mood swings.
Thankfully, some forum friends recommended a cheaper, yet high quality version of omega 3 fish oil that comes in bulk. Healthy Care Kids Omega – 3. It has 125 lemon-lime flavoured capsules for $14.99. This company tests their fish oil for mercury and pesticide levels to ensure they are safe. Our son eats two a day like lollies, and my daughter bites the ‘fish tail’ off, sucks the oil out, and throws the capsule shells into the bin. I know that some parents squeeze the oil onto cereal, or into a chocolate milk. Whatever works, huh?
We buy these at our local Chemist Warehouse, but there is also an online store here, too.
After a few more weeks of taking these capsules, my son really started to act even more differently. He started hugging me more, telling me he loved me and saying over and over again that he was sorry he’d hit me. Then it dawned on me – I couldn’t remember the last time he had hit me! Or kicked, bitten, pulled hair, or generally hurt anyone in this family.
My son around this time, was also starting to really accelerate his speech development. Prior to this, he was talking just fine, but he really started firing along in his vocabulary.
Other unexpected things that happened for him included: beginning to sort the alphabet in order (not planned, this came from him), he began staying at the same activity for much longer periods, and began to show an interest in learning to read.
Now he is three, he is the little boy we always knew was there inside. He still likes to muck up and be a cheeky little three year old, and we wouldn’t have it any other way, LOL.
Our daughter is now nine, and has topped the nation in her NAPLAN scores, getting band six results in each area (highest for her age is six), and in some areas, her little ‘dot’ indicating her mark, went up and outside of band six! She has always been extremely clever, but I’ve not had her teacher tell me she sometimes daydreams or loses focus this year. This was what other teachers had told me in first and second grade.
She went on to get credits in her uni exams for math, computer skills and science. Plus, she got a high distinction for her uni exam in English. Let’s just say, we knew she had it in her!
My fiance and I sincerely believe that the fish oil is helping our kids become the happiest ‘them’ they can be. Now they really can unlock the true person inside.
I’d like to add, that whilst I have no problem with paid advertorials, this isn’t one. This is my personal recommendation to anyone who is interested. I am so thrilled with the results, and am so keen to share it with other parents, that I tell every parent I know about it, in case it can be of help to them. Unfortunately, in my excitement, I think some parents may have thought I was insinuating their children had ADHD or were badly behaved, LOL. I firmly believe though, that for anyone open to it or able to, these little capsules are worth a try, and I highly recommend them.
Have you tried fish oil for your children? If so, how has it affected your children?
Other reading:
I tried fish oil tablets for my then 2 and a half year old. We had the opposite reaction. Within days of beginning it, my already hyperactive child became twice as bad. He was up until 2 or 3 in the morning, singing and jumping on his bed.
I did a bit of research, and discovered that it is not an uncommon reaction for some children with certain allergies and intollerances!
However, my best friend swears by fish oil tablets for her children, 6 and 9. She finds them to be much more alert, responsive, and obedient when they are taking them.
Oh my gosh, really? Is that a seafood allergy? That would be understandable, I imagine. I was actually reading a forum where a step mum was wanting to try them on her step daughter, but step mum had a deadly allergy to seafood, so they couldn't. We all wondered if flaxseed oil would have the same impact. Theoretically, it should, because it's the same omega-3's, but I guess it's something that would be unknown until someone tries it.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, it's important to know the pros and cons:)
the results you are seeing are fantastic. Amazing stuff isn't it.
I was going to post a comment saying that I was going to run right out and grab some but then I read Jannah's comment. Ack!! LOL
I have a challenging 4-year-old who has been noticeably that way since he was less than two years old. I have found that cutting out additives (ie: artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives) has helped a TON but there are still behavioural issues beyond those of your typical child his age. I tried the Feingold program however did not find he had reactions to regular food, just additives. I wonder about the lemon-lime flavour of the capsules you mention though I realize that it would be possible to find ones without artificial flavours (those the brand you use may be naturally flavoured as well).
I may pick up some fish oil and give it a shot. It's worth a try, right?
Thanks so much for posting this!!
Definitely worth a try.
Hi,I have been using fish oil tablets for my 7 year old and myself over the past 3 months. I have noticed she is more attentive, calm and not as 'hyper' as she was before we started on them. As for myself I have noticed I am not as fatigued, have more energy and am able to concentrate a lot better. Plus improved memory! We are both allergic to seafood, and my doctor suggested them as an alternative.
Great blog!
x
Isn't that funny, eve? They actually suggested it because of the allergy? Wow. It sounds like there just so much more to learn about this supplement, doesn't it?
I take them on and off too, and can notice I feel much better within myself when I do take them.