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9-month old slightly anemic - suggestions for iron-rich foods and good sources of vitamin C?

post #1 of 8
6/1/11 at 6:57am
Thread Starter 

Hi all - at my 9-month WBV last week, they checked DS's hemoglobin levels and found that they were a bit low. His level is 10.5 and they want it to be at least 11. Of course, the pediatrician went straight to iron supplements and asked us to start giving him Fer-in-sol twice a day.

 

I really do not want to go straight to iron supplementation. Although the ped didn't provide any context to the hemoglobin level, a bit of research on kellymom.com and drsears.com suggested to me that 10.5 is only very slightly anemic. I don't want to risk constipation from the supplement, and I would much rather just make some dietary changes for DS.

 

So, can any of you provide suggestions for iron-rich foods (and vitamin C-rich foods to aid in iron absoprtion) that are good for babies? We are doing BLW and he is a good eater so far. My husband is also wondering if babies can eat organ meats like chicken liver - do any of you know?

 

Thanks for your help!

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post #2 of 8
6/1/11 at 7:02am

Are you cooking in cast iron?  That would be the first switch i would make!

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post #3 of 8
6/1/11 at 7:05am
Thread Starter 

Not at the moment, but we can start doing that more! We do have a cast iron pan.

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post #4 of 8
6/6/11 at 3:17pm

I'm interested too. DS is just a tiny bit anemic, and refuses baby cereal (good for him! that stuff is gross.) and the doc wants us to give him iron supplements... Problem is, we already have a (separate) constipation issue. ARGH!

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post #5 of 8
6/9/11 at 5:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunwise View Post

Hi all - at my 9-month WBV last week, they checked DS's hemoglobin levels and found that they were a bit low. His level is 10.5 and they want it to be at least 11. Of course, the pediatrician went straight to iron supplements and asked us to start giving him Fer-in-sol twice a day.

 

I really do not want to go straight to iron supplementation. Although the ped didn't provide any context to the hemoglobin level, a bit of research on kellymom.com and drsears.com suggested to me that 10.5 is only very slightly anemic. I don't want to risk constipation from the supplement, and I would much rather just make some dietary changes for DS.

 

So, can any of you provide suggestions for iron-rich foods (and vitamin C-rich foods to aid in iron absoprtion) that are good for babies? We are doing BLW and he is a good eater so far. My husband is also wondering if babies can eat organ meats like chicken liver - do any of you know?

 

Thanks for your help!


I would suggest getting a copy of Nina Plancks book, Real Food for Mothers and Babies, before supplementing with anything inorganic. Your library should have it.
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post #6 of 8
7/13/11 at 7:21am
Thread Starter 

Hi all - just thought I would report back. DS's hemoglobin was re-checked this week and we managed to bring it up into the "normal" range (increased from 10.5 to 11.8) without iron supplementation. I did a bunch of internet research and made myself a list of iron-rich and vitamin-c rich foods, and this helped us to be more aware of the iron he was getting in his food. We did also make a concerted effort to give him some kind of heme iron source (meat) every day since that is easiest to absorb.

 

I'm glad to know now that it is possible to correct low hemoglobin with diet. The pediatrician really seemed to discourage that, but I guess that comes from an assumption that parents will not be serious enough about making dietary changes (meaning that supplementation is the easiest route to take). I'm happy to leave my fer-in-sol unopened!

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post #7 of 8
7/13/11 at 12:26pm

Would you mind sharing your list?  Turns out we are in the same boat with our 10 mo. old...he weighs 27lbs ...i am SO not worried about slight anemia and do not want to waste time and $ on Fer in Sol as frankly, i agree with you - dietary changes are a better solution all around.  I havent given LO meat yet - but he adores fish  and seems  to love spinach - between catfish, spinach and the cast iron pan i really thought we were in the clear with this issue!  Some iron rich ideas would be much appreciated!

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post #8 of 8
7/13/11 at 12:31pm

Hi...just have a sec...my 15 month old had the same problem.  Here is the thread I did for it:  http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/1298653/10-m-o-with-low-iron

 

His iron is within normal limits now, but it really scared me when it wasn't!  Good luck!

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