BF at 7months and hardly taking solids - should I worry about LACK OF IRON INTAKE?

[Misspaella]

Hi
DS2 is a few days shy of being 7months and fully bf. We started on the solids about 2 weeks ago (combo of finger food and mashed food) but he is just not interested. I am not worried about the calorie content of his diet - I understand that this comes from his bf BUT I am worried about the lack of iron in his diet as he is over 6months. Food just can't be for fun if iron is actually needed by this point. Right?

Do I need to find other ways of getting iron into him if he is not getting it from food? If so how?

I have searched on google; kellymom etc and still rather confused. Giving a supplement of sorts seems to creep up (in Gill R's book as well) as the answer but what kind? And is that really healthy? I always believed if you had to give supplements it meant you weren't having a good enough diet.

Any advice would be great.

TIA

he will be getting iron from breastmilk - i assume if he doesn't eat much he's still having loads of feeds?

Yes food is for fun until they are 1.{smile]
Iron stores don't suddenly run out at 6months.
Please try not to worry about this too much, as you are still bfing your ds. Iron stores BEGIN to deplete at 6months, so they will still be there. The iron you provide in your breastmilk will be fine for your ds, in the form of lactoferrin which is far more bioavailable than other sources of iron, including vitamin supplements and follow on milk. So he doesn't need a lot to satisfy his daily requirements!
Do try to offer foods naturally rich in iron as well though, and he will increase his food intake as the months go by!
You often have to offer a food 10 or more times to spark his interest - 2 weeks is only a short period of time to be on foods, so give it time!

He is still feeding 6-8 times a day over a 24 hour period.

I was under the impression that the iron from the breastmilk wasn't enough for him after 6 months? Or is this a semi urban myth? He is my 3rd DC but the first I have managed to bf for so long (yippee!) and also the 1st to not be on 3 meals a day....

sorry to hijack, BT, if you get 5 mins would you mind replying to this? I know you have already told me what yours is like but it would be really helpful to have it written as I'm planning to contact the PCT if mine doesn't get better...

well done for getting this far
Yep, there's more iron in formula, but the lesser amount of iron in bm is more easily absorbed so he should be getting what he needs still.

Some children take longer to get going with food than others.

I found the info here useful.

As long as he is getting plenty of breastmilk iron supplies should be fine.

DS didn't get interested in food until about 8-9 months and then hungrily devoured everything we offered.
Interestingly he seemed to wait until his sitting balance and pincer grip were developed enough to sit and get the food to his mouth.

Yes it is a myth, Misspaella (like the name, Spanish roots?). The iron in formula is in a form that is hard to metabolise into a useable form hence why the manufacturers have to put so much in.

My DD didn't really eat until she was walking, at around 12 months. Up until then, most of her food ended up on me or the floor. She's now two, and a good eater - will give almost anything a try - and is extremely healthy. She was exclusively breast fed up until starting on food.

I was stressed about the non-eating for the first couple of months, and honestly, got into a bit of a state about it. Silly, really. I trusted her to take as little or as much breast-milk as she needed, but then felt I had to encourage her to eat food she clearly didn't yet need. If I have another, and the same happens, I'm going to stay nice and relaxed about it...

Others have addressed the iron issue. I suspect it's formula advertising that convinces us that it's something to worry about...

Girls, thank you!

It has put my mind at ease. My older 2 were fully ff by this age and very eager to eat but thankfully this LO is very happy with the bf. I will just take it easy...and NOT fall for the iron issue.

Good to hear Misspaella, glad we all could help and well done!!

SPB - I have answered your thread btw. Good luck!