What causes low iron in breastfed babies?

Understanding Low Iron Levels in Breastfed Babies
Low iron levels in breastfed infants can be a significant concern for parents and healthcare providers alike. While breast milk is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of infants, it contains relatively low levels of iron. This situation can lead to iron deficiency, particularly as babies grow and their iron requirements increase.
Iron Stores at Birth
Newborns are born with a reserve of iron, which they accumulate during the last trimester of pregnancy. Healthy, full-term infants typically have enough iron stored in their bodies to last for the first six months of life. This stored iron is crucial, as the iron content in human milk is quite low, making it insufficient to meet the growing needs of infants after this initial period.
Absorption of Iron from Breast Milk
One of the advantages of breast milk is that the iron it contains is highly bioavailable, meaning it is absorbed more efficiently than iron from other sources, such as formula or solid foods. However, as infants approach six months of age, their iron needs begin to exceed what can be provided by breast milk alone. At this stage, complementary foods rich in iron become essential to prevent deficiency.
Factors Contributing to Low Iron Levels
Several factors can contribute to low iron levels in breastfed babies:
1. Inadequate Dietary Iron: As infants transition to solid foods around six months, if their diet lacks sufficient iron-rich foods, they may not meet their iron requirements. Foods such as pureed meats, beans, and iron-fortified cereals are important additions to their diet.
2. Increased Iron Needs: Infants experience rapid growth during their first year, which increases their iron requirements. If these needs are not met through diet, iron deficiency can occur.
3. Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration: While exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months, prolonged exclusive breastfeeding without introducing iron-rich foods can lead to deficiencies.
4. Health Conditions: Certain health issues, such as gastrointestinal problems that affect absorption, can also lead to low iron levels in infants.
Consequences of Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency in infants can have serious implications for their development. It is associated with negative effects on cognitive and motor development, which can have lasting impacts on a child’s overall growth and learning abilities. Therefore, monitoring iron levels and ensuring adequate dietary intake as infants grow is crucial for their health and development.
In summary, while breast milk provides essential nutrients for infants, its low iron content necessitates careful attention to dietary sources of iron as babies grow. Parents and caregivers should be proactive in introducing iron-rich foods around six months of age to support their child’s health and development.

How does lactation cause iron deficiency?

During the period of lactation, mothers are susceptible to anaemia because of maternal iron depletion and blood loss during childbirth. Studies have shown that, although breast milk is not a good source of iron, the concentration of iron in breast milk is independent of maternal iron status.

How to increase iron in breastfed babies?

At about 6 months, infants require a source of iron outside of breast milk. An infant’s iron needs can be met through iron-rich foods, iron-fortified cereals, or iron supplement drops. Learn more about iron-rich foods that support an infant’s healthy development.

Does breastfeeding deplete mother’s iron?

Lactating women are also particularly vulnerable to anemia, as their iron stores are depleted to maintain the iron quality in breast milk, especially when their energy and iron intake are inadequate.

What happens to baby if mom has low iron?

Iron deficiency is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including increased maternal illness, low birth weight, prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction.

What happens if you eat too much sugar while breastfeeding?

Mothers who consume large amounts of sugar could be passing the added sugar to their infants through breast milk, which could hamper the child’s cognitive development.

What are the side effects of iron drops for babies?

Common side effects of iron supplements may include:

• Stomach ache.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Black stools.

When is a term infant who is exclusively breastfed at greatest risk for iron deficiency?

However, this iron reserve will gradually decrease and reach its lowest point at approximately 6 months of age8, which can result in IDA in infants exclusively breastfed (EBF) beyond the age of 6 months.

What are signs of iron deficiency in babies?

The most common symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia in a child include:

• Pale skin, lips, and hands, or paleness under the eyelids.
• Irritability.
• Lack of energy or tiring easily.
• Increased heart rate.
• Sore or swollen tongue.
• A desire to eat peculiar substances, such as dirt or ice (also called pica)

Is it common for breastfed babies to have low iron?

Human milk contains small amounts of iron, but breastfed babies generally are not anemic or iron deficient. The reason is found in the gut microbes.

What are the symptoms of anemia in breastfeeding mothers?

Insufficient iron intake, problems with absorption of iron in the gut, or iron loss (bleeding) can cause iron deficiency anaemia. Symptoms of anaemia include tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and difficulty getting breastfeeding started.