Vitamins??? I don't get it...

[klynnw]

we went for our 6 month well baby check up the other day. Everything is going great, ds is up to 15 lbs, 14oz and is 26 1/2 in long. He's hitting his milestones, so we are very happy. But, our ped said that he should be getting a vitamin that contains extra iron, unless I switch him to formula, in which case then he wouldn't need it. I don't understand, b/c I thought breastmilk already had everything in it that he would need. The ped did not suggest I switch him to formula, but just wanted me to add this vitamin. I just don't see why? Also, ds gets rice cereal and fruit twice a day, so shouldn't the iron in the cereal be enough? My first ds was ff so this is kind of new territory for me. Any thoughts? Do you all have your babies on vitamins?

[Tufftitty]

There's enough iron in the rice cereal to supply a pregnant woman. I'm exaggerating, but there is more than enough in there for your LO. I've also read that there is a small amount of iron in BM, but it is very readily available to the baby unlike supplements where the body can only use a portion & the rest constipates you. Here's a good link with the low down. DS is 14 months now, his doctor never said a word about a supplement, and he never had any problems with anemia. I wouldn't do it.http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html

[whitnessforhim]

Our pedi recommended the vitamins too. Never used them. DD's doing great.

I don't see how they are necessary at all.

[madelsmama]

I've never given either of my children a vitamin while they were breastfeeding. In fact, since I've never given iron-fortified cereal to my second child, she's not received iron from that source, either.

Breastmilk has iron. Formula has more, but the iron is breastmilk is more bioavailable absorbed much easier than that which is in the formula.

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

[Stephanie]

I agree with madelsmama.

We had an iron check at 9 months with dd, and her iron levels were just fine. She was not on any infant cereal or vitamins.

[Brianna]

I never gave Rylan vitamins or baby cereal. His iron level have always been good.

[klynnw]

Thank you all......this is what I thought. It seemed like a vitamin would be overkill to me, but I didn't know for sure.

[trylyn5]

My ped recommended a vitamin d supplement but no iron.

[USAFeyez06]

It is overkill... my ped suggested the same thing, I tried the drops (iron, and a couple others) and she become constipated right away. Took her off 2 days later and never looked back.

My experience... so I wouldn't either.

[jgassa]

My ped also suggested the iron suppliment at 6 months. I should have listened to him and not people on this board. I'm sure that most babies will not have problems with their iron levels...but some might. Your baby is already eating the iron fortified cereal. She's probably fine. My son's iron is so low they are very concerned about his heart. It is a very scary time for my husband and I right now. He's on a perscription strenghth iron suppliment now. We have two weeks to try to bring it up (6.25). You can ask to have the iron level tested to be sure. They will do it anyway at 9 months. My son happened to get a low grade fever, otherwise we never would have known until it may have been too late.

[rissa523]

There are better ways to give your baby enough iron. According to http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html you shouldn't need to supplement at all, but I have heard you should make sure baby has enough iron. If your baby is eating solids, good safe foods for 6 months old that include some level of iron are; acorn squash, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, butternut squash, green peas, nectarines, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, tofu, yellow squash, or zucchini. These are best bought fresh and lightly steamed to soften then mashed. These foods are generally accepted as safe as starter foods from 6 months of age. When your daughter reaches 8 months of age, broccoli makes for a good source of iron. I truly doubt that if you are getting enough iron in your diet, your baby will get enough iron in breast milk.
sources: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.html and So Easy Baby Food by Joan Ahlers & Cheryl Tallman

[trylyn5]

My ped also suggested the iron suppliment at 6 months. I should have listened to him and not people on this board. I'm sure that most babies will not have problems with their iron levels...but some might. Your baby is already eating the iron fortified cereal. She's probably fine. My son's iron is so low they are very concerned about his heart. It is a very scary time for my husband and I right now. He's on a perscription strenghth iron suppliment now. We have two weeks to try to bring it up (6.25). You can ask to have the iron level tested to be sure. They will do it anyway at 9 months. My son happened to get a low grade fever, otherwise we never would have known until it may have been too late.


Please know that no one here intended to give you bad advise for your baby. We had no way of knowing his circumstances. A bf baby normally doesn't need iron supplements. I am so sorry you're going through this. I gotta say I'm being much more careful with my dd's diet now too.