[WildNettle]

I have a few friends w/babes about the same age as mine who are contemplating iron supplementation b/c "breastmilk no longer supplies enough at this age" (5-8 months is the age range). Is this true? I understand the mainstream approach to this is to feed iron fortified cereals, but we def aren't going that route. I am honestly not all that concerned, but I would like some info to pass along to friends, so they aren't supplementing unnecessarily.

 

[mb05]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Good question!<br><br>
--LLL also recommends red meat as one of the first foods because of its iron (& because babies only have an adequate iron content supply for the 1st 6 months...)<br><br>
--it's also recommended that a breastfeeding mom either eat a well-balanced diet or continue with pre-natal vitamins so she can pass the iron in her breastmilk... the iron from breastmilk is absorbed into the body better & more easily... supplemental iron & vitamins at this age pass through too easily and end up in their poopie diapers)<br><br><a href="http://www.llli.org/FAQ/vitamin.html" target="_blank">http://www.llli.org/FAQ/vitamin.html</a>

 

[ASusan]

I'm bumping this for other suggestions or links to read.<br><br>
DH has been doing his own reading about exclusive BF for the first 6 months and has come to the conclusion that 4 months is when we need to start talking about supplimentation and/or starting fortified solids.

 

[PatioGardener]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ASusan</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/10385092"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">DH has been doing his own reading about exclusive BF for the first 6 months and has come to the conclusion that 4 months is when we need to start talking about supplimentation and/or starting fortified solids.</div>
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This is against the recommendations of ALL the medical societies and associations. What has brought him to that conclusion?<br><br>
It is good to remember that the iron in breastmilk is absorbed really really well until other milks (formula or cow milk) are introduced, or solids. Cow milk and formula actually prevents the iron from beining absorbed as well <i>and</i> causes microscopic bleeding in the intestines if introduced before the gut has sealed, causing loss of iron that way too!<br><br>
If iron rich meat is introduced when baby is ready for solids (after 6 months, can sit up, has lost tongue thrust, and is reaching for food) then iron deficiency doesn't occur. There was a great randomised controlled trial that proved that babies fed meat at 6 months (I think it was beef) had irons levels that were fine, and actually had better zinc levels that babies fed fortified cereal.<br><br><b>ASusan</b>, would you like some links to info about why it is beneficial to wait until at least 6 months to introduce solids?<br><br>
ETA: yes, you are looking for links - just re-read your post! Here are some from Canada:<br><a href="http://www.cps.ca/english/media/newsreleases/2005/march8.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cps.ca/english/media/news...005/march8.htm</a><br><a href="http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/N/BreastfeedingMar05.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cps.ca/english/statements...edingMar05.htm</a>