I am intrigued as to whether there is anything I can do to boost ds's haemoglobin/iron levels. He is 4 weeks old, fully breastfed. We have had hideous scary week where he was diagnosed with Rhesus disease and ended up having a blood transfusion on Thursday. He had haemoglobin on 6.8 and it is only with hindsight that I have realised a) how lucky he is and b) how very very pale he was.
He has been given folic acid drops as well as a hefty quantity of blood. My diet since I had him has not been great. And since Tuesday when had out of blue call from paediatric consultant, has been worse than ever.
He is feeding really well, and has gone from 7 pounds 7 at birth to 9 pounds at 4 weeks. But I am interested to know if my taking iron/folic acid supplements would in some way give my breastmilk, and him, an extra boost.
Am fully expecting to be told no, but would be interested nonetheless. INcidentally would not be surprised if I had low iron levels myself- I did antenatally and have had history of borderline anaemia myself. So have started taking the pregaday iron/folic acid supplements again anyway. I have a follow up appointment on Monday about my own health because of the antibodies/raised levels of anti-d in my blood that sparked the whole investigation into ds2 that culminated in the transfusion and will ask for iron to be checked in the inevitable blood test.