Why doctors say that constipation on infants is normal and is not caused by iron in formulas?

Answer 1

The reasons they believe that iron doesn't constipate babies is because there isn't a lot of iron in formula anyway and they doesn't believe its enough to cause constipation.

Answer 2

It is difficult to believe that iron causes constipation. Iron is known to be an irrirtant to the gastric mucosa. If it does it could be body's protective effect. I think the other formulas have more soothing effect. It is better to supply iron from food sources e.g. minced meat (not pork) and some grains high in natural iron. The baby can be put on these natural food from 4 month of age as the cow milk does not contain enough iron. Of course mother's milk is the best. The Quran recommends breast feeding for 2 1/2 years . If for some reason mother can't feed then another women can feed. This was common practice 1400 years back and was much better than present practice of bottle feeding . As this is perhaps not possible today, then we should go for natural iron sources as I mnetioned above otherwise the chances are that baby will develop serious iron deficiency anemia around the age of 2.

Answer 3

DO NOT switch to a low-iron formula!!! If you doctor suggests it, possibly, but they are (the low-iron brands) truly for less than 3% of the infant population. First try incorporating more liquid into the diet via water and juice. Also use high fiber solids. Pears are great, apples are actually low-fiber. And stay away from rice cereal, it causes constipation in a lot of babies. But whatever you do DON'T go to a low-iron formula.

Answer 4

Best Constipation Cures

Answer 5

Switching to a low iron formula could cause bigger problems, such as anemia, than constipation. Most babies get constipated and it is not usually a problem unless it is uncomfortable for the baby. Pears are really good at helping to get things moving. If the baby doesn't eat solids you can substitute one ounce of water with one ounce of 100% pear juice in the bottle.

Answer 6

i think doctors are full of crap when they say that constipation is ot due to iron in formula. they just want you to keep coming back so they can get your money!! when my daughter was a baby she was constipated all of the time. the same thing i asked my doctor if it was the formula and he said no. well i tried everything to help her then decided to change her formula from similac to enfamil and the next day she was normal again i was so happy! if it wasn't the formula then why was she ok after i canged formula? kind of od isn't it?

Answer 7

My niece was on formula with extra iron and she had the complete opposite problem. She had extremely loose bowel movements. It is also not true that breastfed babies don't get constipated. Someone on here was saying that yesterday. My son was on breastmilk for his first 10 weeks and he was constipated until he went on soy formula.

Answer 8

I think high-iron formulas create constipation. With my own two infants, it did. When we switched to milk after they turned one, the constipation stopped.

Answer 9

Iron in all people could reason constipation.... i could blend it with juice if toddler is having issues, extremely of water, like apple or prune, so it may help stability out the constipation. additionally, i could provide it by spoon, no longer bottle so its extra secure. you additionally can attempt enfamil ar, it has the rice proteins in it yet its made to easily be feed by a bottle like reg formula and its additionally much less stressful on the tummy.

Answer 10

With my baby, the pediatrician ran an ultrasound that showed her intestines were really bunched up which can be common. She presribed Glucolax for her and it helped her have better bowel movements.