Home » Pick Your Crowd » Breastfeeding Crowd » Asking 3 time nursing mom a question

Hello, guest
|

Name: sonia

[ Original Post ]

My baby is nine months and he went for his check up it was found he was a little anemic and needs more iron. My husband refuses to give him his vitamins because they stink and when he was first born they made him very sick. I want to do something maybe supplement one bottle a day? I really don't know what to do. I love nursing him and I am afraid if I do this it may be the begining of the end for nursing as was the case with my last one. once I introduced the bottle he was weened within two months. I want to nurse him at least two years but I am also worried that he gets all the nutrion he needs. Plus they say iron is important for their brain development. Have you every had this problem and if so what did you do?

Others can respond as well if you know something about this problem ↓

Name: sonia | Date: May 9th, 2006 6:24 PM

Still wondering ↑

Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: May 10th, 2006 7:27 AM

Hello Sonia,
I apologize for taking so long in answering your post. I haven't been online a whole lot lately.

At this age, if your Little One is anemic, feed him iron rich foods. Check the labels of baby food to find which ones are rich in iron and introduce them to him.

There really is no reason to start your Little One on formula, especially at this age. He is old enough to be on solids and get iron through the solids.

Also iron transfers through our breastmilk.

Are you taking prenatal vitamins with Iron? If not, try this and see if it helps. We should continue taking prenatals for as long as we have a child who is a strong nurser, for our own health as theirs.

If you are still taking prenatals with iron, and you are having this difficulty, inquire with your own doctor as to whether it is safe for you to increase your own iron intake.

And finally, not giving recommended vitamins to his son because they stink is not a valid enough reason, in my opinion. I can understand, obviously, if they make your Little One sick, but is that still the case? Isn't there other vitamins his doctor can recommend? If your son is able to tolerate iron fortified vitamins that are recommended by his doctor, your husband should give them to him. If not, just do it yourself.

I hope some of these suggestions help, and I sure hope your doctor is not recommending formula at this late stage, so many pediatricians who understand the benefits of breastfeeding see no reason for it.

For at this late stage, a child is able to absorb nutrition through other means besides milk. Therefore only one form of milk is needed, so it should really be the best form of milk, which is yours. For as you already know, nursing through the first two years (at least, my Little One is 3), is in your child's best interest as well as yours on many levels.

I truly hope this helps, please keep me informed how you are doing.

And once again I apologize for not seeing your post and responding earlier ↑

Name: sonia | Date: May 11th, 2006 5:52 AM

Thank you. I have been feeding him beans and such but I am just worried. I cannot take vitamins, my stomach is too sensitive but I might be able to incorrperate more iron. I just didn't think it passed through the breast milk. I really just wanted to ask you because you seem so experienced in breastfeeding. Honestly the longest I have ever breastfed one of my children is almost one year. But this might be our last and I really want to hold on to breast feeding as long as I can. Do you plan on having more children? ↑

Name: 3 time nursing mom | Date: May 12th, 2006 8:05 AM

sonia,
I have since done more research, and it looks like iron does not pass through breastmilk. According to what I have read, for most babies, iron is not a good thing for them to have as it somehow makes them more susceptible for certain diseases. This is probably why Mother Nature did not create breastmilk to contain iron.

Interesting.

Now see there. This is a very good reason to double check everything you have been told by lay people. Here I appear, and in some ways I guess I am, to be an 'expert'. But I gave you misinformation.

This is scary for me too. I guess I need to be more careful, eh?

I apologize. Please forgive me.

On the other note:
I hear ya on wanting to hold on to the nursing experience because it may be your last one.

You asked if I planned on having anymore. The jury is still out on that. This may very well be my last, as I am in my early 40's. But since I have not hit menopause yet....we may allow God to decide again.

I truly believe that My Little one is proof that God knows better then we do as to what is best for us.

Meekishly yours,
"3 time experienced, but not quite an expert, nursing mom" ↑

Name: sonia | Date: May 12th, 2006 5:17 PM

Thank you so much for your help but don't worry about giving me miss information. I don't use these sites as my soul source of information. How old is your youngest? I really want more but my husband feels we can't afford any more until I finish school so I am seeking a degree in nursing and then on to becoming a midwife. It is still early in my education and I really don't know a whole lot yet plus I have to do things so slowly with all my children to care for and I really don't like to use daycares. How about you do you go to work or stay at home? ↑