Guest guest Posted September 12, 2000 Report Share Posted September 12, 2000 , Neither of my children has ever been tested by their ped. Wendi http://www.lactivist.com breastfeeding resources and info Re: vitamins My DD has never had a blood test for iron. Does most everyone's ped do this? <3 B Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! http://www.lactivist.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2000 Report Share Posted September 13, 2000 MOst doctors I know do this at 12 months. Margaret Nitome@... wrote: > > My DD has never had a blood test for iron. Does most everyone's ped do this? > > <3 B > > Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! > http://www.lactivist.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 > Nitome@a... wrote: > > > > > My DD has never had a blood test for iron. Does most everyone's ped do this? > > > > <3 B My doctor claims to be pro breastfeeding but he said that if I don't add solids he'll want to test for iron levels. He tried to tell me that it didn't matter what my iron intake was. All I know is that I will NOT allow an unneeded test unless there are symptoms first. Joanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 Dear Joanna, IMO, if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding for the first year, without adding any solids or supplements, your Dr. should check your babies iron levels sometime during that second half of the first year. I don't think this has anything to do with whether or not he is pro-breastfeeding. You really should know if your baby's iron levels are low. The test is very simple and if the iron levels are low, pretty simple to up your child's iron intake. If you know that your baby will be getting iron from whatever source - vitamins with iron, iron fortified cereal, iron rich foods, cooking in cast iron, etc. then there may be no need for concern. But I feel that if you know that your baby is not getting any additional iron in his diet after about six months, it would probably be a good idea to have his levels checked. I don't think that babies get the iron they need from breastmilk, I think when they are infants they have a large store of iron that they draw on and eventually deplete after the first six months or so. This should also be kept in mind during the toddler and preschool age - when kids get very fussy about what they will eat and drink. Anyway, that's my opinion on the iron thing - simple test, and pretty easy to remedy if need be. Joan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 In a message dated 9/14/00 3:50:56 PM Central Daylight Time, HappyBNMomma2MSW@... writes: << He tried to tell me that it didn't matter what my iron intake was. >> Actually it doesn't matter what the mothers iron intake is. It doesnt affect what the babys is going to be. Jodi Mommy to twin girls and Mackenzie 7-11-1999 icq#70190079 Go to picturetrail.com/twinsmegmac to see pics of my girls!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 > Dear Joanna, > IMO, if you plan on exclusively breastfeeding for the first year, > without adding any solids or supplements, your Dr. should check your > babies iron levels sometime during that second half of the first year. I happen to know that he has enough iron just from breastfeeding. Actually, iron-fortified formula causes babies natural iron to bind therefore making it less absorbable. And yes, there are studies that prove that to be true. I also happen to know that I have more iron than I even need which means I can easily supply for 's needs. Joanna (a very educated breastfeeder) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 In a message dated 9/14/00 6:25:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time, rmmhenne@... writes: > Does anyone give their toddler vitamins? My 21 month old is a pretty picky > eater and we were wondering if we should give her vitamins. > > melissa > I know everyone here has their own views on vitamins. Mine is... I give a children's multivitamin to my children when they can chew them...every parent should know if their child can handle chewing a vitamin or not... for my children I start them usually around 18 months to two years old. Rhonda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2000 Report Share Posted September 14, 2000 This should also be kept in mind during the toddler and preschool age - when kids get> very fussy about what they will eat and drink. Does anyone give their toddler vitamins? My 21 month old is a pretty picky eater and we were wondering if we should give her vitamins. melissa mom to 12/10/98 and Mikayla 6/22/00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2000 Report Share Posted September 16, 2000 Call your dentist, ask about the local water supply. Most areas have enough flouride, and too much flouride for your babe now will cause discoloration to his teeth!! IMNSHO, don't give flouride supplements!!! Amy Lynn vitamins > >We just returned from the pediatrician and she prescribed vitamins with >fluoride for my baby. Did anyone else take these? What are your thoughts >on this? > >Love, > > >Mommy to since 10-5-98 and Cameron since 8-10-00 >jackpot@... >http://users.pld.com/jackpot/cameron.html > > > > >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! >http://www.lactivist.com > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 16, 2000 Report Share Posted September 16, 2000 Debbie, I would supplement your diet with iron, especially iron rich foods. Depending on what your son is eating, give him iron rich foods too. I think that you are probably on the borderline where the doctors will say ds is anemic, but it isn't really a big deal. If his iron count has stayed the same for 2 months without giving the iron more than 4 or 5 times then it isn't a big deal at all. How old is your son? Spinach is a tough digester--what about iron-fortified cereal like cheerios? Amy Lynn Re: vitamins > >Joan - my little man was tested for anemia again yesterday and he tested at >11.5 and apparently 12 is ok and 11.5 is not. I have iron vitamins with >flouride to give him and haven't wanted to - can you tell me more about your >statement " Iron deficiency in children is not something to mess around it " ? > >Does anyone know if I just give him like more spinach if that would do the >trick instead of the vitamins? > >I mean is 11.5 REALLY low are just KINDA low? > >My little man tested at 11.5 last time two months ago and I have only given >him those vitamins like 4-5 times over the last two months. Would >increasing vitamins in my diet help at all? > >TIA Debbie > >_________________________________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at >http://profiles.msn.com. > > >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! >http://www.lactivist.com > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2000 Report Share Posted September 17, 2000 >My doctor claims to be pro breastfeeding but he said that if I don't >add solids he'll want to test for iron levels. He tried to tell me >that it didn't matter what my iron intake was. All I know is that I >will NOT allow an unneeded test unless there are symptoms first. > >Joanna Okay, so give your baby a cheerio, or a bit of banana, or something one time and then tell the doctor you've started solids--it won't be a lie--and you don't have to do it more than once. Beyond that if they ask how much--say a few bite every day, and it stays right down. Amy Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2000 Report Share Posted September 17, 2000 I don't >think that babies get the iron they need from breastmilk, I think when >they are infants they have a large store of iron that they draw on and >eventually deplete after the first six months or so. Infants use the iron they have stored in addition to the iron from breastmilk (which is roughly 50% absorbable vs about 10% absorbable from formula.) The biggest difference is that a bf baby ingests lactoferrin in bm that aids in the digestion of iron in other foods that the baby also consumes. Amy Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2000 Report Share Posted September 17, 2000 I will not give flouride supplements, since I personally have discolored teeth from the excessive flouride I was given (from several sources). Lynn > > Call your dentist, ask about the local water supply. Most areas have enough > flouride, and too much flouride for your babe now will cause discoloration > to his teeth!! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 17, 2000 Report Share Posted September 17, 2000 I agree that your iron intake does not signifigantly affect your breastmilk. However, what *is* in your breastmilk is highly absorbable (is that a word)? Here is a link. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/3490/iron.html There are also links to other supplementation issues, including flouride. This is a great site! HTH Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2000 Report Share Posted September 18, 2000 > Okay, > so give your baby a cheerio, or a bit of banana, or something one time and > then tell the doctor you've started solids--it won't be a lie--and you don't > have to do it more than once. Beyond that if they ask how much-- say a few > bite every day, and it stays right down. > > Amy Lynn This is exactly what we've planned. The appointment is next month (Oct 6). We skipped the 9 month because it was nothing more than a weight check for us. The one year appointment will be much easier because nurses and bit less and eats solids a bit more. He's also ahead when it comes to reaching many milestones. Joanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2000 Report Share Posted September 18, 2000 Amy Thanks for your advice. My son is just about 7 months old and hasn't quite mastered the cheerios yet, but working on it. Looking at the jars of baby food the peas have as much iron as the spinach and grahm crackers have some iron in them - so I am just going to try and make sure he gets some each day along with working on my diet. Thanks again. Debbie > >Reply-To: breastfeeding (AT) e >To: breastfeeding (AT) e> >Subject: Re: vitamins >Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2000 06:18:43 +0100 > >Debbie, > >I would supplement your diet with iron, especially iron rich foods. >Depending on what your son is eating, give him iron rich foods too. I >think >that you are probably on the borderline where the doctors will say ds is >anemic, but it isn't really a big deal. If his iron count has stayed the >same for 2 months without giving the iron more than 4 or 5 times then it >isn't a big deal at all. How old is your son? Spinach is a tough >digester--what about iron-fortified cereal like cheerios? > >Amy Lynn > Re: vitamins > > > > > >Joan - my little man was tested for anemia again yesterday and he tested >at > >11.5 and apparently 12 is ok and 11.5 is not. I have iron vitamins with > >flouride to give him and haven't wanted to - can you tell me more about >your > >statement " Iron deficiency in children is not something to mess around >it " ? > > > >Does anyone know if I just give him like more spinach if that would do >the > >trick instead of the vitamins? > > > >I mean is 11.5 REALLY low are just KINDA low? > > > >My little man tested at 11.5 last time two months ago and I have only >given > >him those vitamins like 4-5 times over the last two months. Would > >increasing vitamins in my diet help at all? > > > >TIA Debbie > > > >_________________________________________________________________________ > >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > > > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at > >http://profiles.msn.com. > > > > > >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! > >http://www.lactivist.com > > > > > _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2000 Report Share Posted September 19, 2000 >food the peas have as much iron as the spinach and grahm crackers have some >iron in them - so I am just going to try and make sure he gets some each day >along with working on my diet. You can help tip the scales for iron by cooking with cast iron. It an make a tremendous difference in your hematocrit (the blood test for iron). If your 7 month old isn't big on solids yet, but is willing to drink from a sippy cup, why not offer some chicken broth that was heated in a cast iron pan? Even the foods you make for yourself in cast iron cookware will offer more iron in your breastmilk, and more in your baby's body. Do you have access to a grocery-store deli? There's a liverwurst in most delis that is high in iron. It's also high in fat, so use it sparingly! If you get a 1 " chunk, you can make little cubes to feed to your baby, or to yourself, which will help get iron into your system. At 7 months though, there shouldn't be any concerns about iron levels. Most breastfed babies store enough iron for the first 6 months of life... it's the second 6 months that moms need to be aware of giving foods that are a good source of iron, or assist the body with absorbing iron. Seems like I read that cow's milk prevents good absorption of iron... and VitC helps it along. Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2000 Report Share Posted September 19, 2000 Thanks for the info - I don't have any cast iron kitchenware - but perhaps I will have to look into getting something...sounds like that would really help...thanks again Debbie _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2000 Report Share Posted September 20, 2000 I would check with Salvation Army or resale shops for cast-iron cookware. It can be pricey, but sometimes those places get it when somebody wants to unload used pieces. Amy Lynn Re: vitamins > > > >Thanks for the info - I don't have any cast iron kitchenware - but perhaps I >will have to look into getting something...sounds like that would really >help...thanks again > >Debbie >_________________________________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at >http://profiles.msn.com. > > >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! >http://www.lactivist.com > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2000 Report Share Posted September 20, 2000 Good luck Debbie, did Cheerios for the first time the week before 7 months, but then she prefers finger food above all else (she also puts EVERYTHING in her mouth for the last 3 months!) Amy Lynn Re: vitamins >> >> >> > >> >Joan - my little man was tested for anemia again yesterday and he tested >>at >> >11.5 and apparently 12 is ok and 11.5 is not. I have iron vitamins with >> >flouride to give him and haven't wanted to - can you tell me more about >>your >> >statement " Iron deficiency in children is not something to mess around >>it " ? >> > >> >Does anyone know if I just give him like more spinach if that would do >>the >> >trick instead of the vitamins? >> > >> >I mean is 11.5 REALLY low are just KINDA low? >> > >> >My little man tested at 11.5 last time two months ago and I have only >>given >> >him those vitamins like 4-5 times over the last two months. Would >> >increasing vitamins in my diet help at all? >> > >> >TIA Debbie >> > >> >_________________________________________________________________________ >> >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. >> > >> >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at >> >http://profiles.msn.com. >> > >> > >> >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! >> >http://www.lactivist.com >> > >> > >> > >_________________________________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at >http://profiles.msn.com. > > >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! >http://www.lactivist.com > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2000 Report Share Posted September 20, 2000 Debbie, I got a nice size skillet for $10 at Long's Drugs. You can also check camping or outdoors stores. Wendi http://www.lactivist.com breastfeeding resources and info Re: vitamins > > > >Thanks for the info - I don't have any cast iron kitchenware - but perhaps I >will have to look into getting something...sounds like that would really >help...thanks again > >Debbie >_________________________________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at >http://profiles.msn.com. > > >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! >http://www.lactivist.com > > Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! http://www.lactivist.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2000 Report Share Posted December 14, 2000 A friend told me that she knows of a ped in my area who is a young woman who has 2 kids and bfs herself, I am going to call her for a consultation and if I like her i'm switching. I even went to the AAP's website today to double check, and it says right there that iron, flouride, and vitamin D is not necessary for the first 6 months. My doctor told me he just went to a conference about this and they were discussing how the risk of rickets is a big problem with bf babies. As my dh pointed out, the conference was probably given by a drug company who wanted all of the doctors to recommend their vitamin supplements. > >Reply-To: breastfeeding (AT) e >To: breastfeeding (AT) e> >Subject: Re: some questions >Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 22:25:51 -0600 > > >The ped gave me a prescription for a flouride and iron supplement today. >I > >just took it and didn't say anything but I don't plan to give it to him. >I > >really hate that I can't be open with my baby's doctor. But it didn't >seem > >worth a lecture > >I hate this!! We had this, too. We told the dr we weren't going to give >them to Cam and we got the lecture. Now Cameron has an appt on Monday. >When the ped asks about the vitamins, 's just going to say that Cam is >taking vitamins. Technically he is-he's taking them from me! > >Love, > > >Mommy to since 10-5-98 and Cameron since 8-10-00 >jackpot@... >http://users.pld.com/jackpot/cameron.html > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ _____ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2000 Report Share Posted December 14, 2000 , If they are worried about rickets they should recommend that you take your baby out into sunlight. It doesn't take much. Part of the reason there is an increase of rickets is that everyone is so concerned about skin cancer that no one goes out into the sun anymore. We need sunlight to metabolize Vitamin D. Taking your baby out for just a few minutes a day is more than enough. There is no reason to give supplements. Wendi http://www.lactivist.com " When individuals have been born gently, welcomed kindly into the community, breastfed for many years, they do not become greedy people. They come from a place of fullness and balance with all our relations. " Jeannine Parvati Baker Re: some questions >Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 22:25:51 -0600 > > >The ped gave me a prescription for a flouride and iron supplement today. >I > >just took it and didn't say anything but I don't plan to give it to him. >I > >really hate that I can't be open with my baby's doctor. But it didn't >seem > >worth a lecture > >I hate this!! We had this, too. We told the dr we weren't going to give >them to Cam and we got the lecture. Now Cameron has an appt on Monday. >When the ped asks about the vitamins, 's just going to say that Cam is >taking vitamins. Technically he is-he's taking them from me! > >Love, > > >Mommy to since 10-5-98 and Cameron since 8-10-00 >jackpot@... >http://users.pld.com/jackpot/cameron.html > > > ____________________________________________________________________________ _________ Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! http://www.lactivist.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2000 Report Share Posted December 14, 2000 , Your dh has a very good attitude! Good luck with your ped search. Amy Lynn mother to 1-25-98 and 2-10-00 Want great toys? Non-violent, educational, fun! check out www.discoverytoysinc.com, or e-mail me privately for a catalog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2000 Report Share Posted December 15, 2000 Wendi, my dh asked the dr about that and he said sunlight wasn't enough! > >Reply-To: breastfeeding (AT) e >To: breastfeeding (AT) e> >Subject: RE: vitamins >Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 10:53:25 -0800 > >, > >If they are worried about rickets they should recommend that you take your >baby out into sunlight. It doesn't take much. Part of the reason there is >an increase of rickets is that everyone is so concerned about skin cancer >that no one goes out into the sun anymore. We need sunlight to metabolize >Vitamin D. Taking your baby out for just a few minutes a day is more than >enough. There is no reason to give supplements. > > >Wendi >http://www.lactivist.com > > " When individuals have been born gently, welcomed kindly into the >community, >breastfed for many years, they do not become greedy people. They come >from a place of fullness and balance with all our relations. " > Jeannine Parvati Baker > > > > Re: some questions > >Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 22:25:51 -0600 > > > > >The ped gave me a prescription for a flouride and iron supplement >today. > >I > > >just took it and didn't say anything but I don't plan to give it to >him. > >I > > >really hate that I can't be open with my baby's doctor. But it didn't > >seem > > >worth a lecture > > > >I hate this!! We had this, too. We told the dr we weren't going to give > >them to Cam and we got the lecture. Now Cameron has an appt on Monday. > >When the ped asks about the vitamins, 's just going to say that Cam >is > >taking vitamins. Technically he is-he's taking them from me! > > > >Love, > > > > > >Mommy to since 10-5-98 and Cameron since 8-10-00 > >jackpot@... > >http://users.pld.com/jackpot/cameron.html > > > > > > > >____________________________________________________________________________ >_________ >Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : >http://explorer.msn.com > > > >Give the Gift of Life Breastfeed! >http://www.lactivist.com > > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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