Surveys and observational studies have suggested it could be beneficial for infants to encounter wheat, egg and cow's milk from an earlier age, while there are also concerns that delayed weaning could cause anaemia, due to a lack
of iron in breastmilk.
The level
of iron in breastmilk is just where it's meant to be and can not be changed by mother taking extra iron, unless she is very anemic.
NOTE: A nursing mother CAN NOT increase the level
of iron in her breastmilk by increasing her own iron intake.
So does taking a prenatal Vitamin with high iron content like the citra natal 90dha, increase the amount
of iron in my breastmilk?
Anemia is uncommon in the breastfed baby due to the following reasons: 1) a healthy, full - term infant has ample iron stores at birth to last him at least for the first six months of life, 2) although the amount
of iron in breastmilk is small, it is readily absorbed at a rate of 49 % compared to 4 % of the iron in formula.
Not exact matches
The
iron in breastmilk is very well utilized by the baby (about 50 % is absorbed), while being unavailable to bacteria, and the breastfed full term baby does not need any additional
iron before about 6 months
of age.
The
iron in breastmilk is very well utilised by the baby (about 50 % is absorbed), while being unavailable to bacteria, and the breastfed full term baby does not need any additional
iron before about 6 months
of age.
Babies older than 6 months should be started on solids so that they learn how to eat and so that they begin to get another source
of iron, which by 7 - 9 months, is not supplied
in sufficient quantities from
breastmilk alone.
Babies older than 6 months should be started on solids mainly so that they learn how to eat and so that they begin to get another source
of iron, which by 7 - 9 months, is not supplied
in sufficient quantities from
breastmilk alone.
The original
iron stores
of a full - term healthy baby, combined with the better - absorbed
iron in breastmilk, are usually enough to keep baby's hemoglobin levels within the normal range the first six months.
As long as your baby is exclusively breastfed (and receiving no
iron supplements or
iron - fortified foods), the specialized proteins
in breastmilk ensure that baby gets the available
iron (instead
of «bad» bacteria and such).
While
breastmilk is touted as nature's perfect baby food, it doesn't supply sufficient
iron for many babies
in the second half
of their first year.
The
iron in breastmilk is absorbed at a percentage
of 50 - 70 % while the
iron in iron - fortified cereal is absorbed at a rate
of 4 - 10 %.
This reserve came from mom during the last trimester
of pregnancy, so without an adequate supply
of dietary
iron (whether through a combination
of breastmilk,
iron - fortified formula and cereals, or foods naturally high
in iron), babies can be at risk for
iron - deficiency anemia.
Palmer reviews the evidence
in terms
of timing
of solids, covering calorie, protein,
iron, zinc, fatty acid needs and more, and fnds no evidence
of a need to begin any kind
of supplementation to the average exclusive
breastmilk diet
in the first year
of life after term birth, and beyond.
But because
breastmilk is fairly low
in iron (albeit a highly bioavailable form designed specially for infants), once kids run out
of their pregnancy
iron stores, they need a more reliable source
of the mineral
in addition to the milk.
Given that there is slightly more
iron in the homemade formula than even
in breastmilk, there is no need to supplement additional sources
of iron for an infant until about the age
of 6 months.