Methods and compositions for treating or preventing parenteral nutrition associated liver disease are provided. Methods and compositions for advancing enteral tolerance in subjects receiving enteral nutrition are provided. The methods involve the use of omega-3 fatty acid compositions. In some embodiments the omega-3 fatty acid compositions comprise docosahexanoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. In some embodiments the omega-3 fatty acid compositions comprise fish oil. In some embodiments the subjects to be treated are receiving parenteral nutrition. In some embodiments the subjects to be treated are infants having a low birth weight, very low birth weight, extremely low birth weight, a low gestational age, short bowel syndrome, necrotizing entercolitis, or any combination thereof.
