>Are they sure this is necessarily iron-def anemia?  Iron is breastmilk is
>fairly stable and more easily absorbed than iron in any other form.  Is mom
>vegetarian?  Or possibly B-12 deficient for some other reason?  That could
>cause anemia in baby also.
>Becky Saenz, MD, IBCLC
>


I haven't  heard that vegetarianism  in the mother could cause the
baby to be anaemic - do you mean if the mother is a vegan?  B12
deficiency in the mother may be  an issue with veganism, and I read
this is a possible cause of anaemia in the baby.

But I would question the definition of low levels of iron in a 4
month old baby. Why in earth  test the baby if there are no clinical
signs of anaemia?  Who's to say what is 'normal'  levels anyway, in a
fully bf baby?  Do we know?

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK

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