Nutrient Needs During the First Two Months of Life

Fat and fatty acids

Total fat provides about 55% of total energy intake for infants under 6 months of age. The most common sources of fat in infant formulas are soybean, safflower, sunflower, coconut, and palm oils. The fatty acid composition of breastmilk varies, depending on the mother’s diet.

Deficiency of n-6 fatty acids has been linked to skin lesions and poor growth in formula-fed infants. The AI for n-6 fatty acids is higher for infants and children than for adults – about 8% of total energy intake for 0-6 month olds. The primary source of n-6 fatty acids in infant formula is linoleic acid.

The AI for n-3 fatty acids is about 1% total energy intake for young infants, and slightly less for older infants. Breastmilk concentrations of n-3 fatty acids vary, depending on maternal diet, but are adequate. Most formula manufacturers in the US add docosahexaenoic acid  (DHA) to infant formulas. Arachidonic acid (ARA) is also added; formulas supplemented with DHA but no ARA have been associated with growth delays.