Contents:
- Medical Video: Medical School - Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Iron deficiency anemia in nursing mothers
- Can you breastfeed if you have iron deficiency anemia?
- Are iron supplements needed if nursing mothers?
- Does your baby need iron supplements?
Medical Video: Medical School - Iron Deficiency Anemia
After giving birth, you still have to pay attention to your health and nutritional intake so that your baby can receive the best nutrition from breast milk. One of the health problems most often experienced by nursing mothers is iron deficiency anemia.
Iron deficiency anemia is a lack of red blood cells due to iron deficiency. This lack of red blood cells results in the spread of oxygen to all organs of the body obstructed.
When the body experiences a lack of oxygen in blood circulation, the body's organs cannot work optimally. What are the effects on nursing mothers and their babies? Consider the following explanation.
Iron deficiency anemia in nursing mothers
Iron deficiency anemia is common in breastfeeding women and during pregnancy. The main cause is blood loss during labor and inappropriate diet. If you have anemia, immediately consult a doctor because this condition can have a bad impact when you breastfeed and also on your baby.
In conditions of iron deficiency, the amount of iron stored is reduced, but the amount of iron flowing in the blood and functional iron may not be affected. People with iron deficiency do not have enough iron reserves to use if the body needs additional iron.
Can you breastfeed if you have iron deficiency anemia?
Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby, even when you suffer from iron deficiency anemia. If you want to breastfeed your baby, you can do it safely.
It is true that you lose iron through breast milk. However, if you breastfeed exclusively, you usually will not experience menstruation for four to six months. Therefore, You will not lose a lot of iron through menstrual blood so this helps keep your iron levels balanced.
So, you are still advised to breastfeed your baby exclusively, even if they have iron deficiency anemia.
Are iron supplements needed if nursing mothers?
If you experience anemia during pregnancy, ask your health care provider whether you need to continue consuming it iron supplement while breastfeeding. Iron supplements are generally very safe to consume while you are breastfeeding.
For breastfeeding women, the recommended dose for iron is 9 milligrams per day. If you lose a lot of blood through bleeding after giving birth, you might be advised to check your hemoglobin level. This test assesses the severity of your anemia and whether you still need to take iron supplements.
Does your baby need iron supplements?
If your baby is born prematurely or has low birth weight, the baby may be deficient in iron. If this is the case, your baby may need iron drops.
Ask your doctor for advice about how much iron you should give your baby. If you have anemia, it is not uncommon for your baby to experience anemia too. However, that is not necessarily the case.
Giving breast milk to your baby or iron supplements will help increase iron levels in your baby. However, it's best to consult a doctor first about any problems.
