Help Your Baby Get More Iron

Help Your Baby Get More Iron

September 17th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Iron is one of the most important minerals for health, growth and development in babies and toddlers. In recent years the incidence of iron-deficiency anemia in babies has gone down due to iron-fortified infant formulas and supplementation, but the risk is still very real. Especially in the second year of life, after your baby has been weaned from the breast or from formula feedings, getting the right amount of iron is of vital importance.

Why Does Baby Need Iron?

Iron helps the body to create new red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout the body to keep organs and muscles growing and functioning. Without enough iron, your baby’s body can’t grow and develop normally. When iron stores are depleted, your baby isn’t getting enough oxygen in the bloodstream, which can result in fatigue, poor weight gain, poor appetite and changes in heart rate. There are long term effects as well to severe cases of anemia, which could even lead to hospitalization and blood transfusions.

What Baby Foods Provide Iron?

The best sources of iron in your baby’s diet are fortified infant cereals and meat. Continuing infant cereal into the second year of life can help to prevent iron deficiency anemia in your baby. Meat and poultry are also great sources of iron, but many babies and toddlers don’t eat much of these foods because they can be difficult to chew. You can mix meats with fruits or vegetables to make them more appealing, or try meat in a soup, where it has been cooked in broth and become very tender and easier to chew. If your baby isn’t interested in meat, try eggs, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, beans, peas, and whole grain bread. Choose fortified foods whenever you can to add extra iron.

One of the major causes of iron deficiency anemia in older babies is drinking too much milk. Make sure that your baby is not drinking more than 24 ounces of milk a day. Milk in large quantities can block the absorption of iron and also cause bleeding in the stomach lining, leading to iron loss. Milk is a healthy and important part of your older baby’s diet, but it is possible to drink too much and do damage to your baby’s body, so keep on eye on baby’s intake.

What About Iron Supplements?

Most multi-vitamins for children contain iron, but it is always a good idea to double check. The vitamin drops used for babies should clearly state on the label that they contain iron. Follow the manufacturer’s and your doctor’s instructions for dosage, and do not mix vitamin drops containing iron in with milk, as it blocks the absorption of iron. If you can’t get your baby to take it directly, which is not unusual as it has a strong smell and taste, mix it with a small amount of fruit juice, or add it to food. Just make sure when adding it to food that it is a portion you are certain your baby will finish eating, in order to get all of the supplements.

Children who have developed anemia may need a stronger iron supplement to recover the stores their bodies have lost. Your doctor will discuss this with you if it becomes necessary. Luckily, iron deficiency anemia is entirely avoidable in most cases, as long as you make sure to add extra iron to your baby’s diet early on.

Keeping Tabs on Baby’s Iron

Keeping Tabs on Baby’s Iron

September 8th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Babies are at a very high risk for iron deficiency anemia, a condition that results from a lack of iron in baby’s system. Most anemia is caused by a diet that is low in iron. While the best thing you can do to prevent iron deficiency anemia in your baby is to make sure there is enough in baby foods, being vigilant about anemia is a good idea too. Because iron-deficiency anemia can be hard to distinguish from other problems, you will probably need your pediatrician’s help to make sure your baby is getting enough iron.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

The most common symptoms of low iron are fatigue, dizziness, lack of appetite, paleness, and changes in heart rate. Most of these you are unlikely to notice in a baby, mainly because your baby can’t tell you what she is feeling, or because they require medical instruments and training to detect.

In the long term, iron deficiency can lead to behavior and learning difficulties, the severity of which depends on how long your child suffered from anemia and how serious the deficiency was. These long term effects, however, should be avoidable with vigilance and early detection of the problem.

Because the symptoms can be hard to notice and easy to confuse with other problems, your doctor is the best person to determine whether or not your baby is getting enough iron.

How Your Baby’s Doctor Diagnoses Low Iron

Most babies will have a simple blood test done between 9-12 months of age to check for hemoglobin levels in the blood. Because iron helps the body to create hemoglobin, low levels are a sign of iron deficiency. A CBC (complete blood count) test will also show the number and size of your baby’s red blood cells. If the count is low and the red blood cells are small and less pigmented, odds are good your baby isn’t getting enough iron.

There are other tests your baby’s doctor may perform, including checking iron levels in the blood directly, and checking your baby’s stool for signs of blood. In most cases however, a diagnosis won’t require extensive testing. The results of the blood tests should be enough for your doctor to recommend a therapy if necessary. This may involve both diet changes and iron supplements.

Preventing Anemia

The best way to prevent anemia is to make certain your baby’s diet contains enough iron. During the first year of life most babies will get the required amount of iron from breast milk or iron-fortified formula. After the first year, however, the risk may increase as babies no longer breast or bottle feed and switch to cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is known to block iron absorption in large quantities, so keep your baby’s consumption in check, not more than 24 ounces a day. Be sure to feed a diet full of iron rich foods such as meat and poultry, eggs, leafy green vegetables and legumes.

You can also give your baby a daily multivitamin supplement that includes iron. Serve it separately from milk to be sure it is absorbed fully. As long as you follow these preventative measures, your baby is unlikely to develop an iron deficiency. If you need more concrete assurance, however, you can request that your baby’s doctor perform the blood tests to check for iron deficiency anemia.

Why Your Baby Needs Iron

Why Your Baby Needs Iron

August 30th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Iron is a vital mineral to life, for people of all ages. Babies, however, have a special need for iron as their bodies are growing and developing at a rapid pace. Many babies are not getting enough of this essential nutrient, and serious health problems can result.

What Iron Does

Iron helps the body to create hemoglobin, which is what keeps red blood cells healthy, and makes them red. It carries oxygen throughout the body and provides it to muscles and organs, all of which require oxygen to function properly. As babies are growing quickly, their bodies require iron to create new red blood cells.

Dangers of Iron Deficiency

Babies get iron from their mother in the womb, but after birth it must be included in baby food diet for healthy weight gain and development. Babies who do not get enough iron can develop iron-deficiency anemia, a condition which can cause numerous problems including poor weight gain, fatigue, dizziness, rapid heart rate and decreased appetite.

Iron deficiency symptoms can be slow to appear, as the body’s stores of iron are depleted over time. If they are not replaced, the symptoms will start to manifest. Most cases of anemia are caught prior to symptoms developing thanks to routine testing for hemoglobin levels in babies between 9-12 months of age. Rare serious cases of iron-deficiency anemia do occur, however, resulting in hospitalization.

What Leads to Iron Deficiency

In most cases, a lack of enough iron in the diet is the reason for a baby or toddler to develop anemia. There are other potential causes as well, however.

When your baby makes the switch to cow’s milk at around a year old, the risk of anemia from low iron increases due to two factors. First, your baby is no longer receiving the extra iron found in breast milk or iron-fortified formula. Second, too much milk can actually block iron absorption. This is a big reason why babies under a year old are not advised to drink cow’s milk. Too much milk can damage the lining of the stomach and result in internal bleeding that can further deplete iron supplies. To prevent this cause of iron deficiency, keep your baby’s milk intake to no more than 24 ounces a day. If your baby is taking an iron supplement or multivitamin with iron, serve it separately from milk.

Periods of rapid growth can also deplete iron stores, as the body is using them up at a quicker pace than normal. If you see signs of a growth spurt in your baby, try to add extra iron either in the form of supplements or food in order to replace the stores that are being used up.

If your baby was premature or had a low birth weight, the risk of iron deficiency anemia is increased. Because larger babies who spent longer periods in the womb were able to absorb and store more iron, their supply will last longer and not need to be replenished quite so quickly. A premature or low birth weight baby will need extra help to build up iron stores and avoid anemia.

If you suspect iron deficiency anemia in your baby, talk to your baby’s doctor. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, your pediatrician will be able to guide you in the right steps to take in order to bring iron levels back up.

Does Breast Size Affect Ability to Breastfeed?

Does Breast Size Affect Ability to Breastfeed?

August 15th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Many women worry that the size of their breasts will impact the amount of milk they are able to provide for baby. Fortunately, there is no correlation between breast size and milk production. No matter what the size of your breasts, you can still successfully breastfeed your baby.

Breast Size and Milk Production

The only difference between larger breasts and smaller breasts is their capacity to store milk. Larger breasts will be able to hold more milk, and thus a woman with larger breasts may be able to go longer between feedings without feeling engorged. A woman with smaller breasts will likely feel full sooner and need to relieve the pressure either through feeding or pumping. Many women find their breasts grow even larger post-partum than during pregnancy. You may be several cup sizes above where you started when you found out you were pregnant. When your milk comes in, your size will likely peak, and then subside a bit later in the breastfeeding process.

The storage capacity of your breasts does not mean you can’t make the same amount of milk! It just means less milk is being held in the breast at any given time. Your body can quickly and easily replace the milk as the baby feeds. You can produce just as much milk with small breasts as with larger ones.

Women with very large or very small breasts may have some issues with getting baby latched on. It will take a bit of practice to figure out what works best. You can try different ways of holding the baby, or use pillows under baby’s head to get it in the right position. With some trial and error you will soon find the right placement.

What Does Affect Milk Supply?

The production of milk is a supply and demand process. Every time your baby feeds, the body kicks into gear to replace the milk that was used. The more often your baby feeds, the more milk your body will produce to keep the supply up to the need. If you have to go a long time between feedings, such as if you are at work all day, pumping during the day will keep your body producing milk. It doesn’t take long for milk production to slow down or to pick up based on the demand. If you find your milk seems a bit low, add a pumping or feeding session and it should come back up quickly.

Other factors will affect your milk production as well. Poor diet, dehydration, illness, fatigue and stress can all cause milk production to slow down. Make sure that you are eating a healthy, balanced diet and drinking plenty of fluids to support your body’s ability to make milk. It might be hard to get a good night’s sleep with a baby in the house, but rest whenever you can – even a catnap during the day can help. Taking good care of your body will keep your milk supply strong.

There are certain medications that can inhibit milk supply. Talk to your doctor before taking any medication, whether over the counter or prescription while you are breastfeeding. Even some medications deemed safe for the baby can be detrimental to your milk supply.

Women have the natural ability to produce the perfect baby food for their babies. No matter what your breast size, your baby will get the best nutrition possible from breast milk, and will be able to get enough to grow and thrive as long as you take good care of yourself.

Expected Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week

Expected Pregnancy Symptoms Week By Week

March 25th, 2010 by admin  |  1 Comment

Most pregnancy information focuses on the growth and development of the fetus, and what you need to do to help that process along. But there are many pregnancy symptoms and changes that you yourself will experience during pregnancy that may or may not have any bearing on the infant itself. It is important to understand what pregnancy symptoms to expect, and how to take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your baby when it arrives.

Pregnancy Symptoms During First Trimester (Week 1 – Week 14)

The first few weeks of pregnancy is often the most difficult for the mother. It starts with morning sickness, which can actually come on throughout the day, at any time. This nausea is rarely beaten by anything you do. It is important to keep your strength up, and to nourish your body. Even if you don’t feel like eating, remember that your baby is taking most of the nutrients your body has stored, and it is important to get something down. Eating small meals can help, but if solid food doesn’t work you should take in plenty of fluids, as well as chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.

The first trimester can also bring fatigue, so make sure you are getting plenty of rest. If you don’t work, taking naps during the day can be a huge help. You may also experience some tenderness in your breasts, which can usually be relieved by wearing an extra-supportive bra that limits movement. You will also have increased urination, so be sure to drink lots of water. Drinking water and juices will also help you avoid the issue of constipation that will generally arise in the first trimester, and last throughout the pregnancy.

Pregnancy Symptoms During Second Trimester (Week 15 – Week 27)

This is the easiest trimester of pregnancy for the mother. Most of the pregnancy symptoms from the first trimester, such as fatigue and nausea, will begin to fade and eventually disappear. You will still have frequent urination, and you may still experience constipation. Keep up a high fiber diet with lots of fluids to avoid this. Your spouse will enjoy this phase of the pregnancy as well, as your breasts begin to become enlarged. Do not be surprised if you have some seepage from your breasts, particularly after a warm shower. Lotion on your nipples and breast area can help prevent dryness caused by the seepage.

Due to hormones released during this trimester, your blood tends to circulate faster. This is what gives your skin the pregnancy glow, but it can also cause bleeding gums, nasal congestion, or leg cramps. Make sure to address any concerns with your doctor, and rest frequently whenever needed.

Pregnancy Symptoms During Third Trimester (Week 28 onwards)

This final trimester of pregnancy can be rather uncomfortable, and most women are happy to go into labor to end it. As your baby continues to grow, he will begin kicking you in the ribs. You will also have some shortness of breath, heartburn, and back pain due to the baby pushing on your lungs and stomach, and the sheer weight of the baby on your body. Circulation is still increased, so you may experience some spider veins, especially in the legs. If the uterus presses on veins near the legs, you may also experience some swelling of the ankles and feet. Fear not, the discomfort will be over soon!

Early Signs of Pregnancy

Early Signs of Pregnancy

March 11th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

You have been trying for weeks or maybe months. Every little thing that feels different in your body makes you wonder. You are tracking every date of every little change and every event that takes place. You are ready and you are waiting, but how will you really know when you are pregnant? What are the signs?

Well, rest assured that there are definite signs that you are pregnant. Usually, the first sign that tips a woman off is when she misses her menstruation. This is a dead giveaway that there is now a new life growing inside your body. However, when you look back to the week or two prior to your late menstruation, you might, on hindsight, realize that there were other telltale signs of your pregnancy.

Fatigue is one of the early signs of pregnancy. Even before you miss your menstruation or have your pregnancy confirmed by a test, your body is already working very hard to grow that baby. Everything is changing and changing quickly and your body is striving to keep up with those changes. This is likely to cause fatigue in the first few weeks of your pregnancy, beginning soon after conception.

Another noticeable sign of early pregnancy is the shift in hormones. You just might feel moodier than usual. Early in pregnancy it is also common to feel nauseous. While this generally doesn’t come on until about the eighth week for many women, it is not uncommon for it to happen earlier. Morning sickness or nausea due to certain smells and foods can be a sure sign something is up.

One of the most noticeable signs of early pregnancy is breast tenderness. Women generally tend to experience changes in their breasts soon after conception. After all, the breasts are a crucial part of having a baby and the body begins immediately to prepare the breasts to produce milk.

In addition to the above-listed signs of early pregnancy there are a few others that commonly occur. These include food cravings or aversions, the need to urinate more frequently, dizziness or fainting, heartburn or constipation, higher body temperature, lower back pain, bloating, and implantation bleeding (spotting when the embryo implants on the wall of the uterus).

It is important to know that not every woman will experience all of these symptoms or experience them to the same degree as another woman. Some women will feel ultra fatigued, but notice no other signs. Some women will feel nothing at all until they miss their menstruation. One woman might not even experience the same signs from one pregnancy to the next. This means that, while the above early signs of pregnancy are common, you have to be aware of your own body and how it feels.

It can also be frustrating that these symptoms are very similar to those experienced each month when you are due to menstruate. This means that you cannot be sure if you are pregnant until you take a pregnancy test. If you are trying to become pregnant, then this can feel like the most frustrating thing in the world. The best thing to do is stay calm, try to remain stress-free, and wait until you can confirm your pregnancy with a test. Once you know for certain that you are pregnant you can celebrate the new life growing inside you.