Iron supplements are perfectly safe to take when youre breastfeeding. If necessary it is easy to offer the baby foods which are naturally rich in iron.
You would be the one that would be affected by the low iron.
Iron supplement breastfeeding. Human milk contains relatively small amounts of iron but it is very well absorbed so breastfed babies rarely need iron supplements says Dr. In fact introducing iron supplements and iron-fortified foods especially during a babys first six months can actually decrease the effectiveness of the babys natural iron absorption according to lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata of the KellyMom website. Its definitely okay to continue taking an iron supplement while breastfeeding.
You also had a concern about whether or not a low iron level for you would affect your baby. Your body is going to take everything it needs to make milk for your baby. The milk making process is pretty selfish.
You would be the one that would be affected by the low iron. I recommend talking to your doctor and they can decide based on. Currently the best evidence is that this is achieved by prolonged breastfeeding avoidance of unfortified formulas and cows milk and the introduction of iron-fortified and vitamin C-fortified weaning foods at approximately 6 months of age.
Despite much research there are many areas of uncertainty regarding iron supplementation of infants including that. The optimal age for introducing iron-fortified. Supplements During Breastfeeding Breastfeeding mothers need the same amount of iron as they do during pregnancy.
Women are often advised to continue taking prenatal vitamins as long as they are breastfeeding and these vitamins usually contain a large dose of iron. But the amount of iron in your breast milk wont be affected by your supplements. Iron supplements are perfectly safe to take when youre breastfeeding.
For breastfeeding women the recommended dietary allowance RDA for iron is 9 milligrams mg per day. If you lost a lot of blood during birth from a postpartum hemorrhage you may have your hemoglobin level tested after birth. Research shows that it is your age that will determine the amount of iron you will need when breastfeeding.
To be more specific it is recommended that you consume around 10 mg of iron a day if you are between 14 and 18 years of age. For women in the age group of 19 to 50 years around 9 mg a day is the required dosage. Routine iron supplements for baby.
Breastfeeding authors Wambach and Spencer 31 say that unless a baby is anaemic iron supplements could be harmful during the first six months after birth and are not usually needed. However guidance varies between countries. Rotbäckchen Mama Iron is a food supplement based on natural ingredients.
Delicious fruit juices and strawberries guarantee a pleasant and purely natural taste. The needs-based dosage covers additional iron needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding in a healthy and natural way. Iron is one of the most important trace elements in the body.
Human breast milk contains only a small amount of iron but full-term human infants are born with a substantial supply of iron stored in their liver. There is debate among nutritionists and clinicians as to whether exclusively breastfed infants require iron supplementation and when to begin supplementation with iron-fortified foods such as cereal. In addition iron supplements and iron-fortified foods can sometimes cause digestive upsets in babies.
A study Dewey 2002 found that routine iron supplementation of breastfed babies with normal hemoglobin levels may present risks to the infant including slower growth length and head circumference and increased risk of diarrhea. The AAP clinical report Diagnosis and Prevention of Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Infants and Young Children 0 Through 3 Years recommends giving breastfed infants 1 mgkgday of a liquid iron supplement until iron-containing solid foods are introduced at. Iron normally is present in breast milk in small amounts.
When prescribed by a health care professional iron preparations are not known to cause problems during breast-feeding. However nursing mothers are advised to check with their health care professional before taking iron supplements or any other medication. Most mineral supplements eg iron calcium copper chromium zinc taken by the mother do not affect breastmilk levels.
Water soluble vitamin supplements eg B vitamins vitamin C taken by the mother usually increase breastmilk levels. Breastfeeding is best for your baby. Sometimes moms can be iron deficient causing anemia.
Anemia can be caused by a lack of iron folate or vitamin 12 in your diet. In fact if a baby was born premature your doctor will probably recommend extra iron supplements if. Iron supplements are given to breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women who have low blood iron levels in their body.
If you are a new mother and suffering from anemia you can take iron pills or other supplements after consulting your doctor. The high lactose and vitamin C levels in human milk aid the absorption of iron and breastfed babies do not lose iron through their bowels. If there is concern about your babys iron levels your healthcare provider can perform a simple haemoglobin test.
If necessary it is easy to offer the baby foods which are naturally rich in iron. The answer to the question Do breastfed baby need extra iron is in most cases no. Your pediatrician needs to take a refresher course in Breastfeeding 101.
Although human milk contains very little iron breastfed babies rarely become anemic. There are several reasons for this.