The question: Can maternal iron supplements cause a 6-month-old to become constipated?  

While you're at home without access to your textbooks, these online resources may be of help:  

This page on LactMed's site includes a report on one study of women who were administered intravenous iron sucrose for iron deficiency at 2-3 days postpartum.  No adverse reactions were found in the infants of these mothers.  

LactMed:   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501468/

This next page from the Infant Risk Center references the AAP's recommendation to begin introducing solid foods at 6 months of age, and discusses the importance of introducing iron-rich complementary foods at 6 months of age.  I used the search terms "constipation" and "iron" and after a quick scan of the info, found nothing on constipation in infants unless I missed it.   https://www.infantrisk.com/content/introducing-solid-foods

Kellymom.com has a lengthy page on the topic, "Is baby ready for solid foods?" with a discussion on complementary foods that are naturally rich in iron, as well as a page on iron supplementation for infants.  The author also states, 
"Iron supplements taken by mom may produce constipation in the baby." 

https://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron/#:~:text=Iron%20supplements%20taken%20by%20mom,with%20poor%20milk%20supply%2C%20however.

https://kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/iron/  

La Leche League International's website includes this information on constipation in breastfed infants, with mention of possible constipation among breastfed infants related to the addition of iron to their diets: 

"Once solid foods are introduced to your breastfed baby around six months of age, there will be many changes in his elimination patterns. The stools will have a stronger odor and different color and consistency. It is normal to find bits of vegetables in the diaper, as even cooked vegetables are harder to digest than many other foods. After the introduction of solids, it is indeed possible for your baby to experience constipation or diarrhea, which are possible clues that he is not tolerating a new food. Some foods with iron added, such as rice cereal or infant formula, could cause constipation in some infants. Be sure to breastfeed before offering solids, to make sure the more nutritious food comes first. For more guidance, read the LLL information about best strategies for starting solid foods."  https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/constipation/

Hope this helps!

Debbie

Debra Swank, RN BSN IBCLC
Program Director
MoreThanReflexes Education
Elkins, West Virginia USA
http://www.MoreThanReflexes.org

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