I have been looking in the archives for discussions about the use of high
iron formulas when supplementing a mostly breastfed baby (trying to form an
answer to send a pediatrician who remarked "there's no iron in breastmilk").
One of the most fascinating and useful references was posted by Valerie; a
link to the CDC for a review of the literature on the dangers of too much
iron.  This includes a line about the dangers of too much iron in infant
feeding.
Anyone old enough to remember how I.F. Stone used to publish an entire
newsletter referencing only government sources to show the "news behind the
news"?  Valerie is doing that for us.  Please recertify as an IBCLC,
Valerie,  we need your contributions to be identified as coming from someone
with knowledge of breastfeeding, the norm in infant feeding.
I have a question for the group: low iron formulas are no longer available,
at least in my area.  Although the link to constipation and irritablilty
seems to be disproven, I don't really find any evidence yet which convinces
me that the high iron in formula is harmless to the breastfed infant.  How
do I answer the families who are well read and aware of this issue?  Do the
pediatricians on the list have a viewpoint on this?  There is no milk bank
in the New York City area, by the way.
If I missed a whole discussion in the archives, let me know. I'm looking for
current opinions.


Happy Holidays all,


Kate Sharp, IBCLC, LLL
LC in NYC
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