baby getting too much iron?

Question

My daughter is 3 weeks old and i think she may be getting too much iron because she is kinda having trouble making bowel movements and seems constipated. was given advice to get the formula that doesnt have iron. any advice? i use Good Start Supreme with DHA and ARA (with iron) would i need to switch her gradually to use the same formula? just without iron? or is it ok since it is the same formula... just minus one ingredient

My daughter is 3 weeks old and i think she may be getting too much iron because she is kinda having trouble making bowel movements and seems constipated. was given advice to get the formula that doesnt have iron. any advice? i use Good Start Supreme with DHA and ARA (with iron) would i need to switch her gradually to use the same formula? just without iron? or is it ok since it is the same formula... just minus one ingredient

Answer 1

First of all, babies your daughter's age often grunt and strain when making bowel movements. If the stools are soft, then she is not constipated.

In any event, you should not assume that your baby's problem has anything to do with iron. Iron is essential for a baby to grow, and infants should be fed iron-fortified formula unless a sensitivity is detected by a doctor.

Consult your baby's pediatrician before changing formulas. This will make it easier for him/her to diagnose the actual problem (if there is one) and make sure that your baby does not get sick from a lack of essential nutrients.

Answer 2

this question really hits home. I am a mother of 6. When my 5th child was born he was always constipated. One or two marble size movments once a week. It was always right before he was to see the doctor. I tried to bring this to the doctors attention. The responce I got was constipation is in the mind of the mother. Needless to say that due to the extra strain of the movements my son had to have emergency hernia surgey the day he turned 4 months old. It may not be the Iron that is making your child constipated. I had my child taken off of iron based formula and it made no difference. The only thing I found to work was a tablespoon of dark kyro syrup mixed into the formula. Let me add this to what I am saying. Get it resolved now. I say this because this problem can last for years causing the child to let the the bowels get backed up resulting in an enlarged colon and the soft bowels leaking out around the hard bowels causing he child to have bowel accidents for years. I had to take my child to a specialist for bowel problems for years due to the lack of attention by his doctor to his problem. Do not let anyone tell you that there isnt a problem. The doctor only sees your child so often. you know what is happening on a daily basis

Answer 3

you should use the formula the Dr chooses for your baby. but the constipation can be adjusted by you at home if the baby is other wise normal and healthy... corn syrup.. in a 4 oz feeding and corn syrup and start off small, like a teaspoon, in each bottle till you get the newborn pudding dispenser back on line again. then add some to 1 or 2 bottles a day to keep everything moving. Ask your mom or grandma and they will tell you corn syrup. oh yeah, the dark is turbo and the light is regular. happy diaper changing.

Answer 4

It is hard to find a formula that doesn't have iron in it. I have 3 kids and I have had the same problem and looked for different formula. I believe that Goodstart is a good formula and I would try to supplement her with a couple of ounces of water and see if that helps her have bowel movements. I had my first two daughters of high iron and they were constipated and I had to suppplement them with water to get their diapers active again. It doesn't hurt to give them water if they are on formula. You can switch formulas if you think it would help you, I think Goodstart has a low iron. You can always ask your DR for his advice. Make sure that you don't give her a laxative to fix it. Try the web page below for some advice!

Answer 5

It may be the formula, I would switch to a different kind. You do not need to switch gradually. Unfortunately it is common for formula fed babies to become constipated.

You can try massaging your daughter's stomach in a clockwise direction to get things moving and to relax her.

If you are unable to breastfeed, maybe you can get donor milk from another woman. If you want to try breastfeeding, it is not too late, contact the Le Leche League or your local breastfeeding clinic for more information.

Good luck!

Answer 6

My son had the same problem when he was young and they switched him to soy formula because they told me that some young babies cant handle the lactose as well as he iron so i originally had him on Enfamil with iron and just switched him right away to Prosobee, and it made an incredible difference, i would only give her formula right now i wouldnt try anything else unless the doctor recommends it, because with infants being prone to allergies, i would consult your pediatrician if you want to start something else.

Answer 7

Dont take her off the iron she needs it. Im a mom with a son who is iron deficiency anemic and hes realy bad. Just add a bit of caro syrup to her bottle and it will help with constipation. You should always consult with your doctor when removing the baby from any vitamen I promise he will agree.

Answer 8

how much water is she getting? she should be drinking water too... dont stop the iron formula,, babies need it to make their blood. blood is made in the bone marrow and if she doesnt get enough iron she can get rickets and all kinds of bad stuff. Ask you Dr. if you can give a little prune juice mixed like 4 to one in a bottle... we had to do that with my youngest and he's fine now... good luck

Answer 9

It is possiblke that she is getting too much iron... iff she is getting too much iron you would need to put her a low iron formula.. and I wouldn't wean her just cold turkey it.. give her a bottle of the formula with low iron and after 3-4 days you will see a difference...

Answer 10

No my son did that. Just switch her. no need to do it gradually, but the one with out iron did not work for my baby so if that does not work try lactose free milk. that worked wonders. GOOD LUCK