>My references indicate that iron supplementation, while it likely is not
>harmful to baby,

Pam, I hope some of the more medically-oriented in our midst will respond,
but it is my understanding that iron supplementation IS harmful, feeding
bacteria in the gut that lactoferrins keep in check. A baby who is
supplemented with iron will find her birth iron stores being depleted
sooner. I'm sure I have read a good explanation of all of this on "the net."

>This would not be of concern..but in both cases baby is very irritable,
>...breast feeding well, gaining weight etc....and I was wondering about
>the possiblity of the iron acting as an irritant...at least as something
>to consider.

In my experience iron supplementing is a common irritant in the baby.
Sometimes the iron in mom's prenatal vitamins must be eliminated too.

With the irritation and the more serious harm, we must push for education of
the docs.  It is hard for the mom to take the step of eliminating it.  I
have had some success with educating the parents.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee

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>Pam Novak Cawely RN., BSN, MEd                  @
>Langara College                                 @
>Vancouver,B.C.                                  @
>e-mail:  pcawley @langara.bc.ca                 @
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