Baby Iron Deficiency

At Connor’s 1 year check-up he had blood taken to check for Anemia.  I did not learn of his exact levels, but the Pediatrician called me with the results and said he needs to boost his iron intake.  We did not have time to get into specifics, so I began to do some follow-up research on the computer.  I found that both http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron.htm and http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/Iron.htm have good articles to cover iron levels in breastfed babies.

Basically, a breastfed baby receives all of the iron necessary through breast milk up until the point that solid foods are introduced.  This is all the more reason to delay solid foods for as long as possible.  Breast milk, although it does not contain a large amount of iron, 50% iron is absorbed, compared to 7% absorbed from formula.  Once baby begins solid foods it is up to mom to select foods that are higher in iron to help meet your baby’s needs.  I figured, well, what if I just boost my iron intake, since I am still breastfeeding, but apparently it is not that easy.  A certain amount of iron is passed through breast milk and an increased intake will not transfer to baby.

Okay, so what are my options?  Well, I could supplement with iron drops, such as ferrisol, but I’d rather not give my baby that icky sweet stuff full of unnecessary additives, I’d rather give him the good stuff, food!  There are many good sources of iron from food, but it is a balancing act to determine what your baby will eat and how much will actually be absorbed.

I’ve decided to start with what my son already eats and go from there.  There are some good options to give an iron boost, such as brewer’s yeast, which can be added to the oatmeal I feed him in the mornings.  It is important, however to include fruits along with the oatmeal to get Vitamin C for absorption.  Blackstrap molasses can also be added to oatmeal, as is has 3.5 mg of iron.

He also loves dried fruits such as raisins, mangos and apple/pear, grains, such as breads and crackers, sweet potatoes, squash and beans.  I will start with these items and try to add from here.

I found a great list on wholesomebabyfood.com:

• breast milk & iron-fortified infant formula
• dried beans
• winter squash
• sweet potatoes
• broccoli
• mushrooms
• meat & poultry (beef, beef & chicken liver, pork, turkey, chicken)
• greens (spinach, broccoli, beet, tomato )
• egg yolks
• dried fruit (figs, apricots, prunes, raisins)
• prune juice
• tofu
• grains (cooked cracked wheat, wheat germ, cornmeal, millet, brown rice, farina, bran, breads, iron fortified cereals)
• blackstrap molasses (try adding a little to cereal when baby is over 10 months old)
• brewer’s yeast
• shellfish (clams, oysters, shrimp)
• tuna, sardines, canned salmon

As a guideline, they also provide this chart:

The other options I have heard of are Nutrios (like Cheerios with 100% daily iron) fortified cereal especially for infants, Floradix a herbal iron supplement that is easy for your body to digest, and Nutristart a powdered natural multivitamin (http://www.vitacost.com/Rainbow-Light-NutriStart-Multivitamin-Powder) that can be added to cold cereal, applesauce or yogurt.

Personally, I’d like to stay away from the supplements if they are not needed and I’d like to boost Connor’s iron through food alone.  I’d really like to try to find some organic liverwurst because that is full of iron, but I am having the hardest time finding it.  I’ve looked at 2 local Whole Foods and at Trader Joes with no luck, I suppose I’ll have to drive a bit further to see if I can find it elsewhere.

Do you have any suggestions for how to boost iron intake?  I’d love to hear what you have done with your child/children.

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