Maureen,
I share your concern about putting graphite cream on nipples!  Graphite
and pencil leads are carbon compounds, and do not contain the element
lead...the danger with pencils used to be chewing the leaded paint.
        I can't imagine how iron dextran would harm a breastfeeding
infant.  Dextran is a high molecular weight substance made from sugar
molecules that is used to partially replace blood.  It's meant to stay in
the bloodstream.  I would hesitate to deprive a toddler of the documented
benefits of extended bf in reducing incidence of Crohn's disease if there
are no documented risks to this treatment.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]