Interesting research on exclusively bf to 6 months and iron

[cmotdibbler]

The babies studied were not anaemic, but they also had plenty of iron stores. And it didn't matter if the mother was anaemic or not. The researchers also measured the iron content of the breastmilk over time.

The full paper can be found here

Good to know!

I read in the Sainsbury's magazine the other day that "all breast-fed babies should be given vitamin drops... A,C and D from 6 months"

I have seen that too, and quite sure my HV will be pushing them on me soon - is the general consensus that they are not necessary?

I hope so cause dd has never had them!

These people who are constantly pushing vitamin supplements on babies - do they ever stop to wonder how the human race survived the millions of years before vitamin drops were invented?

good

seeing as I have totally ignored the vitamin drop thing both times on the basis that it sounds like utter crap

The only babies that really need vitamin D are those with darker skin, living in the north. If your baby goes outside every day, and isn't completely covered all the time, they are v unlikely to need them.

I can't find any evidence that Vit A and C are recommended by anyone. I'll have to go to Sainsburys to find the source of that one.

The Sainbury's Young Families magazine Spring 2008 issue got it's pearls of wisdom from Sara Stanner from the British Nutrition Foundation

I was told by health visitor to give DD vitamin drops when I was exclusively bf till 6 months. She told me which ones to get, when I went to get them at the chemist, the chemist asked whether DD was unwell, when I said no she told me it was unnecessary to give them and when I asked her about iron she said the type HV had told me to get didn't have iron in anyway .

Tis obviously pish, if you look at the quality of their advice here