Prenatal Vitamins Causing BIG problems

[emilyash]

Apologies for the rather crude nature of this post.

I'm EBF'ing my 3 month old. The iron in the vitamins I'm taking are giving me serious fissures, so much that I bleed every time I poop, and sometimes in between.

How badly does she need the iron in them? I've tried stool softeners to no avail...tried probiotics, tried metamucil...forgot to take my vitamins for a few days and the fissures healed and my stools were soft. Can I just take a regular no-iron multi instead? Do I need to supplement her?

I can't afford the $50 copay to see my dr about this ongoing but not major problem....anyone have any experience with this?

[sparklefairy]

Originally Posted by emilyash

Apologies for the rather crude nature of this post.

I'm EBF'ing my 3 month old. The iron in the vitamins I'm taking are giving me serious fissures, so much that I bleed every time I poop, and sometimes in between.

How badly does she need the iron in them? I've tried stool softeners to no avail...tried probiotics, tried metamucil...forgot to take my vitamins for a few days and the fissures healed and my stools were soft. Can I just take a regular no-iron multi instead? Do I need to supplement her?

I can't afford the $50 copay to see my dr about this ongoing but not major problem....anyone have any experience with this?

"Breastmilk levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and folic acid are fine even if your diet is deficient. If supplements are needed, they are for your benefit -- not baby's."

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vi...-vitamins.html

I like Rainbow Light multis -- they have an iron-free formula. I've never had iron-deficiency issues, not even after hemorrhaging after my first birth, not even while breastfeeding through a pregnancy during which I didn't gain nearly enough weight.

[Heba]

Originally Posted by sparklefairy

"Breastmilk levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and folic acid are fine even if your diet is deficient. If supplements are needed, they are for your benefit -- not baby's."
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vi...-vitamins.html

Iron supplementation has little if any effect on iron levels in breastmilk. Breastmilk contains only small amounts of iron but it is highly bioavailable. Babies also have iron stores from pregnancy which will last into the second half of the first year of life. It is rare for a bf baby to be iron deficient.

[craft_media_hero]

What abt switching to iron rich foods like kale, beets, and such? nak