My first son was EBF for 6 months until starting solids, and my second until 7 or 8 months before starting solids. Both of them showed low hemoglobin when tested at the 9-month check-up. They were put on the liquid iron supplements, and the test levels were within normal range after about 6 months. I plan to EBF my daughter until she's really ready for solids (I feel that I may have pushed my first two a bit, as the pediatrician kept telling me they HAD to have cereal added to their diets by 6 months, and then after the iron tests came back low, she told me that it was because I hadn't started feeding them the cereal soon enough). Is there any way to boost iron in breastmilk? I do take a multivitamin with iron every day, and I try to eat well.
Iron supplementation??
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I've read in Dr. Sears' Baby Book that breast milk by itself has enough iron, but once you add solids or formula or anything else, it's not absorbed as efficiently as milk alone.
If you're curious or concerned, they could check levels for you at the doctor's office using a drop of blood from the finger. We have not tested, we probably should. I keep forgetting to give DS a multivitamin now that we're getting some solids.
If you're curious or concerned, they could check levels for you at the doctor's office using a drop of blood from the finger. We have not tested, we probably should. I keep forgetting to give DS a multivitamin now that we're getting some solids.
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http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html
Note: Additional iron intake by the mother will not increase iron levels in breastmilk, even if the mother is anemic. Iron supplements taken by mom may produce constipation in baby. Anemia in the nursing mother has been associated with poor milk supply, however.
La Leche League recommends that babies be offered foods that are naturally rich in iron, rather than iron-fortified foods. Read more about when to start solids here: Solid Foods and the Breastfed Baby
Foods that are high in iron include:
breastmilk
winter squash
sweet potatoes
prune juice
meat & poultry (beef, beef & chicken liver, turkey, chicken)
mushrooms
sea vegetables (arame, dulse), algaes (spirulina), kelp
greens (spinach, chard, dandelion, beet, nettle, parsley, watercress)
yellow dock root
grains (millet, brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, breads with these grains)
blackstrap molasses (try adding a little to cereal or rice)
brewer's yeast
High-iron foods to save until the end of the first year or later:
dried beans (lima, lentils, kidney)
chili con carne with beans
tofu
egg yolks
grains (cooked cracked wheat, cornmeal, grits, farina, bran, breads with these grains)
tomato
dried fruit (figs, apricots, prunes, raisins)
meat (pork)
shellfish (clams, oysters, shrimp)
tuna, sardines
Warning: Some of the foods listed above are not suitable for babies. Dried fruits should not be given to babies under a year old, due to the choking hazard. Also, pork, fish, shellfish, wheat, citrus fruits and eggs are highly allergenic and may not be suitable for babies under a year or who have a family history of allergies. See Suggested ages for introducing allergenic foods for more information.
Note: Additional iron intake by the mother will not increase iron levels in breastmilk, even if the mother is anemic. Iron supplements taken by mom may produce constipation in baby. Anemia in the nursing mother has been associated with poor milk supply, however.
La Leche League recommends that babies be offered foods that are naturally rich in iron, rather than iron-fortified foods. Read more about when to start solids here: Solid Foods and the Breastfed Baby
Foods that are high in iron include:
breastmilk
winter squash
sweet potatoes
prune juice
meat & poultry (beef, beef & chicken liver, turkey, chicken)
mushrooms
sea vegetables (arame, dulse), algaes (spirulina), kelp
greens (spinach, chard, dandelion, beet, nettle, parsley, watercress)
yellow dock root
grains (millet, brown rice, amaranth, quinoa, breads with these grains)
blackstrap molasses (try adding a little to cereal or rice)
brewer's yeast
High-iron foods to save until the end of the first year or later:
dried beans (lima, lentils, kidney)
chili con carne with beans
tofu
egg yolks
grains (cooked cracked wheat, cornmeal, grits, farina, bran, breads with these grains)
tomato
dried fruit (figs, apricots, prunes, raisins)
meat (pork)
shellfish (clams, oysters, shrimp)
tuna, sardines
Warning: Some of the foods listed above are not suitable for babies. Dried fruits should not be given to babies under a year old, due to the choking hazard. Also, pork, fish, shellfish, wheat, citrus fruits and eggs are highly allergenic and may not be suitable for babies under a year or who have a family history of allergies. See Suggested ages for introducing allergenic foods for more information.
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Originally Posted by lunapier  Thank you, quirkylayne! Our ped also recommended rice cereal as well for the iron. I thought about taking iron pills (as I was lightly anemic during the pregnancy). After reading your post, I will continue to EBF our 6 month old son. |
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I'm not sure of your location but perhaps you could find a more breastfeeding supportive ped? They are out there! You could ask in your tribal area.
Here are examples of things my ped is saying -
At 4 and 6 months - he is just getting breastmilk, right?
At 9 months - not too many solids, right?
At 12 months - just breastmilk and water to drink, right? Nursing 10x a day is perfect!
She did emphasize iron at this point as we do live in a lead risk house. Iron is important, you want to make sure your dc is getting enough because it inhibits lead absorbtion.
Good luck as you continue to give your baby the best food!
Here are examples of things my ped is saying -
At 4 and 6 months - he is just getting breastmilk, right?
At 9 months - not too many solids, right?
At 12 months - just breastmilk and water to drink, right? Nursing 10x a day is perfect!
She did emphasize iron at this point as we do live in a lead risk house. Iron is important, you want to make sure your dc is getting enough because it inhibits lead absorbtion.
Good luck as you continue to give your baby the best food!
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