I have a mom with baby who has a hgb. 0f 8.3, hct. 27. We both feel
confused by the complexity of issues surrounding anemia and her ped who
blames "too much breast milk interfering with solid intake" as the sole
problem.

1) If hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC are all below the normal
range, in a baby (13 mo.old),is iron deficiency anemia the only reasonable
diagnosis? The ped says it's so clearcut.

2) Can a baby's anemia be treated by treating the mom; i.e., can breastmilk
be goosed up enough to provide enough iron to treat anemia? Or even to
maintain a good level, once it's treated?

3) Does the iron in food sources, or in iron supplements (ferrous sulfate, I
think), inhibit the uptake of the iron in breastmilk?

4) vice versa: Does breastmilk inhibit the uptake of iron from other sources?

5) Baby is quite heavy, above 95th %ile, nurses a lot, eats some but not
lots. Does mom need to cut down on nursing so that baby can eat enough
iron-rich solid food? Ped says she should.

Ann B. Fritz RN,BC
Philadelphia, PA