Iron Supplements While Nursing

Updated on November 29, 2006
M.G. asks from Centerview, MO
7 answers

I was wondering if anyone knows if it is healthy or not to take iron supplements while breastfeeding. I still breastfeed my 9 month old son between 4-6 times a day. I am taking prenatal vitamins and I eat a lot of food that is high in iron, but lately it doesn't seem to be enough. I have all of the signs for having a low iron count- tired, headaches, pale, brusing. I have heard that too much iron can be harmful for a baby. Any advice or knowledge on the issue would be great!

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B.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Your symtoms can be indicative of other disorders as well. One other thing to consider would be a blood sugar disorder or yeast syndrome. If you eat as much iron filled foods as you have stated and are taking your prenatal supplements, then you are probably fine with the iron. However it is worth checking into. You can get a CBC done to check your blood count thru your dr. In the meantime make sure you are sticking with low glycemic foods and eat on the same schedule that you would feed your child on....breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. Food is very important and I know for myself I feel the exact same when my blood sugar is out of whack. If you snack on pretzels or bagels, stop because they are horrible for your blood sugar. Stick with whole grains if you eat grains and in all honesty the Bradley method diet should do you good. I saw that you were a firm believer. I had 2 of my kids that way and having experienced it myself I cannot understand why other women go on a rant saying they don't know why you would want to focus on pain rather than the baby...It is ALL about the baby and how you can sense so much more about the baby during the process when you keep your head on thru that pain. Did you feel pain in your labor? With one of mine I didn't until I was 8cm and started to panic and that didn't happen until 15 minuted before he was born.

Sorry for the tangent.

Definitly get your iron level checked and see if a diet change would help you too. Congrats on your baby, Good luck trying for #2 and finding the root problem to your symptoms and God Bless!

B. :)

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M.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Hi M.. Are you getting enough vitamin C? I think (you might want to double check) vitamin C helps your body to absorb the iron. So you might need to make sure you're getting enough of the other nutrients your body needs to be able to absorb the iron. Also, some vitamins and minerals are fat soluble and some are water soluble. I would look up that info as well, so you know if you need to just drink water when you're taking your supplements or eat a little something too. The only thing I would watch for in your baby is constipation. Too much iron can cause constipation, so just make sure your baby is getting plenty of fluids, and he'll be fine. By the way, I did a natural, drug free birth too. I LOVE the Bradley Method. And so does my husband. It's always nice to find others like us! I have an 8mo, and just found out I'm pregnant w/ our second! Hope you're blessed with a second soon. In fact...have you considered that that may be it? Have you taken a pregnancy test recently? I had a lingering cold for like 3 weeks and when I found out I was pregnant, I realized that must have been it...all the nutrients were being stripped from me for my nursing son, and unborn baby so my immune system was shot! Now that I'm doubling up on my prenatals and eating right again I'm doing much better! Good luck!

love,
Missy S

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M.S.

answers from Wichita on

I also took supplements before pregnancy, but the company I get my vitamins and supplements from said to only use prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. During the pregnancy, my dr. did ask me to take iron supplements, but it was only for one month. (p.s. I also use the Bradley method)

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P.D.

answers from Tulsa on

Well there is a great product called limu. that is actually a food i can be found at this web page, it has 87 vitamin and minrals, and will had energy to your life. Since it is a food it is safe for you and baby. www.lymphmassage911.originallimu.com good luck may God bless you Patti

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D.T.

answers from Tulsa on

don't go by symptoms have your iron checked by a doctor. It's a relatively easy test and can be done in the office.

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A.P.

answers from Kansas City on

Pre-natals have a lot of iron in them already. I'd check with your doctor. Hope everything is ok.

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K.M.

answers from St. Louis on

My doctor gave me iron because I lost blood and refused a transfusion. I had to take iron 4 times a day while I was nursing. It doesn't harm the baby. Good luck with everything!!

K.

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