Iron supplement for 10 month old DD2 - side effects?

[designerbaby]

HI there,
I've been giving my DD2 (10 months) Wellkid vitamin drops for the last couple of weeks - as they contain Iron and Omega 3.

This is because she's exclusively breastfed (won't take a bottle or formula in any form), and not a huge eater, and, TBH my HV put the fear of God into me last time I saw her about breastfed babies not getting enough iron and developmental delays etc. Now I'm back at work and she's obviously not having any milk in the day while at nursery, I figured supplementing might be more necessary and have become more regular about giving them to her.

Thing is, she seems to now have completely stopped eating and has a runny bum? (She's up all night wanting to BF (unlike her, she's always slept well) but I don't have much milk at night having not fed this much for months?). I've read that iron can cause nausea and diarrhoea in adults, but can the amount she's having in these drops be causing problems, and are infants susceptible these side effects do you know? I also remember having a horrible taste in my mouth when I had to take Iron supplements after having had both DDs, and it putting me right off eating???

She might, of course, simply be teething, but she's just finished cutting her two front teeth and manage to eat reasonably (for her) and sleep ok (if Calpol-ed) during that despite being in a bit of pain...

I'm thinking of stopping the supplements for a while to see if things improve, but thought I'd ask if anyone hear had any knowledge /experience of this here to see if I'm barking up the wrong tree? And of course, while I'm not giving her the supplements I'll be fretting about her Iron levels and my 'substandard' milk grin.

Any pearls of wisdom lovely ladies?
Thanks in hope,

db
xx

Stop with the iron suppliments, if she has a good diet she doesn't need them unless she's had a blood test and is low in iron. My son was breast fed, I didn't give him suppliments and he has a very high IQ.

There's nothing wrong with your milk!

Well, she HAD a good diet, but now she's eating bugger-all. That's why I'm fretting a bit? But if it's the iron messing with her appetite, then?

It's ok, I know my milk is FANTASTIC.

Bloody HV at 8month check: "Well we DO worry about exclusively breastfed babies, because breastmilk has no iron in it, and she could become iron deficient which could lead to developmental delays?" Me: "I though 'breast was best?'". HV: "Oh it is, but we do worry about the iron?"

Good job I'm not a first time mum or I'd be COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT (as opposed to only marginally freaked out).

db
xx

I wouldn't give any suppliments unless the GP/paediatrician has said to. A balanced diet will have all of the nutrients that she will need. Keep up with the bf/weaning. She sounds thirsty at the moment

My HV told me to wean ds early Then I was told it was OK for him to have weatabix and I learned later that babies should never be given this as it irritates their stomach!

Weetabix irritates their stomach?
Oh hell?

db
xx