Low Iron

[Mariyaa]

Hiya,

My daughter has VERY low iron levels, she is 4, and so stubborn. it is absolutely impossible to give her any medicine orally. My husband and I struggle giving her Calpol, she ends up spitting it all out. GP has prescribed her Iron, have told the Gp that will be impossible to give to her but was ignored. Anyone have an advice please?

why has she low iron?
shit diet?
digestive issues?
would she take floradix in orange juice?

Totally crap diet. She is a fussy eater, only really eats breakfast food, bread egg and cereal. Thats her whole diet :|

I give her Abidec in her milk, but its not enough she need to be on iron supplement but I know she won't have it.

Anyone had an IV drip of iron for their child? Is that even a thing?

iv iron is only ever considered for severe cases. it has very severe potential side effects and can only be given in hospital.
plus it's half an hour on a drip.

Mix it in chocolate milk.

does she have something she really really likes but us not usually allowed? like smarties/skittles?
they are a great bribe size

I’m having to give my toddler iron at the moment, so I know what you’re going through. He is similar, refuses to take it. At the moment I give it in small sips, holding his arms down while I do it. It’s easier if you have someone else to help. Afterwards I give a chocolate to take the taste away and hopefully make the experience less unpleasant.

At four you might be able to reason with her a bit? Can you try explaining why she needs it and that you have to give it to make her better? (Not that this works with my toddler!).

Have you tried a liquid iron supplement in a drink that she likes ?

This is us right now. It’s bloomin stressful. Iron supplements taste really bad to a toddler. We’ve tried making ice lollies, shakes everything. Nothing works for us. Try and give your child vit c too, ie around the times she eats as it helps iron be absorbed.
Will she eat cereal? Some sweet tasting ones are iron enriched. Chocolate spread ( made with nuts) chicken.
I realise she needs the supplements but anything is better than nothing.
Do you have a consultant? If so call their secretary and tell them the supplements are not working.
Go back to gp? Tell them directly and make it clear you’re worried.
I’ll let you know how we get on, in case there’s a miracle cure somewhere.
My son got pneominia because of his anaemia. It’s been a 2 month nightmare.
Since then he hasn’t eaten more than half of an egg cup of food. So stressed and worried!!!
Consultant is really good though.

Have you tired mixing small amounts of the iron in her juice over the day? So instead of giving 5mls (or whatever your dose is) in one go put half a ml in every drink she has through he day so she's less likely to taste it? Also agree with making sure whatever cereal she has is fortified with iron, lots of kids cereals are. Does she drink lots of milk? If so then you might want to cut this down as too much milk prevents the absorption of iron. Not saying she can't have any but not too much. Vitamin c helps the absorbton or iron so keep going with the abidec!

My ds doesn’t drink any juice or milkshakes. We’ve tried. Doesn’t eat cereal either. White bread has more iron so we’ve tried white bread but he’s used to brown! Although still only has one tiny nibble.