Why your baby needs a high fat diet

Forget the old “low‑fat is best” mantra. Babies (especially under age 2) naturally thrive on high-fat nutrition, which is essential for healthy brain and nervous system development.

Why healthy fats matter

• Brain development: fats make up roughly 60% of the brain’s weight, and myelin sheath, the electrical insulation covering neurons, is about 75% fat. Babies need around 50% of their calories from fat to support early brain wiring.
• Learning, memory & focus: studies show young children need fats to support neural signaling pathways linked to cognition.
• Energy requirements: babies have higher energy needs due to rapid growth. Fat is the most energy-dense source of food, essential for meeting these demands.
• Hormone & gut health: fat supports baby’s hormone production, immunity, and build cell membranes, which regulates growth and metabolism in babies.
• Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins: vitamins D, A, K and E need dietary fat for proper absorption. These vitamins support immune function, bone development and blood clotting.

But the key is quality fats, like those from avocados and olive oil, not processed or trans fats.

What it means for parents

• Favor whole-food fats: avocado, olive oil, coconut, ghee, yolk, fatty fish (or our nutrient-dense pouches!)
• Include omega‑3s like DHA/EPA
• Avoid low-fat baby food, it's often more carb-heavy and less satisfying.