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# Feeding your child to maximize intelligence
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/feeding-your-child-to-maximize-intelligence/
- Published: 2005-11-29T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T08:15:02.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By GUEST COMMENTARY BY JOEL FUHRMAN, M.D.*

The first year of life is a critical year that sets the stage for your child’s healthy body and mind. Continual exposure to breast milk, while the brain is rapidly growing, assures your child will develop his or her full intelligence potential.

Scientific studies have documented that DHA (a long-chain omega fat) is a critical component of breast milk that contributes to brain development and increases intelligent of breast-fed babies. The recognition of the importance of this critical fat for brain growth has recently resulted in governmental intervention to assure that formula manufactures add DHA to baby formulas.

To supplement a healthy diet, pregnant and breastfeeding moms should be taking a multi-vitamin, plus a daily DHA supplement containing approximately 150 to 200 mg if DHA, to assure adequate DHA content in breast milk. Even after food is introduced, continued breast feeding is important and necessary past the first birthday for maximum disease resistance, immune function and of course, brain development.

Exposure to dairy proteins from cow’s milk has been shown to have long-term negative consequences when used very young in life. The introduction of cow’s milk is better off delayed as long as possible.

Most authorities are in agreement today that exclusive breast feeding is the ideal way to feed infants in the first six months of life. As the digestive tract matures during the first two years, the spaces between the cells that allow the mother’s immunoglobins to be absorbed, gradually get tighter reducing the potential for food allergies. When breast feeding is continued past the six-month milestone, while food is being introduced, the continual immunoglobins from breast milk decreases the likelihood of food allergies.

After six months, foods should be introduced gradually, one by one, with the introduction of one new food every two days so the parents can watch for signs of food allergies or sensitivity to a particular food such as a skin rash or digestive discomfort. If you have a strong family history of allergies, potentially allergic foods — such as nuts, dairy, soy, corn, wheat and eggs — should be delayed even further and the time of exclusive breast feeding can be extended even longer.

DHA fat also is important for your child to take after weaning from the breast of from formula. The brain does not stop growing at 1 or 2 years old. So DHA supplementation, along with a healthful diet and a good multi-vitamin, are good insurance policies to purchase for your child’s future. It just makes sense. (Dr. Joel Fuhrman is a board certified family physician and healthy-food chef, specializing in nutritional medicine and author of “Disease-Proof Your Child.” For more information visit DrFuhrman.com.)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 29, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/112905.pdf?ref=smdp.com)