Ferrous Fumarate taste 🤢

[Strictlymad]

Hello! Just wanted to pick your brains please!
my DS has iron deficiency anaemia, he was on sytrol (sodium federate) for 3 months to boost is full blood count. Now this is much better his paediatrician has switched him to prophylactic iron - ferrous fumarate - as a maintenance to keep his levels up. Is there a flavour free version of this?
we have tried two different brands (2 pharmacies ordering in- galfer syrup being one and aadfer the other) and both have chocolate peppermint flavouring. They are REVOLTING and sooooo strong, I tried 1 ml after my son refused it, his dose is 2.5ml. It was such strong menthol it was like downing mouthwash and this burning remained for 30 mins, my ds was going mad for his water and trying to wipe his mouth (he’s only 15 months).
how can they make something so overpowering for babies? Is there an unflavoured plain version? Or an alternative medication? Thanks in advance!

It's not marketed for babies but I was taking ferrous fumarate gummies during my pregnancy. They didn't taste as good as haribo but close enough. You could check with your gp but if the dosage is the same, I reckon your gp would say it's ok. The other ingredients are just like in a haribo type gummy

Oh! No idea why my comment got hidden... was just trying to suggest an alternative

Thank you I will keep it in mind for future, unfortunately my ds has an unsafe swallow (still on puree food) and awaiting surgery at gosh so would need to be a liquid for now. But hopefully when he can eat that would be better thanks!

Not hidden for me!

Ah ok whew I didn't want to go into mumsnet jail! Sorry to hear about the swallowing thing, that sounds so difficult hope it gets better after the surgery

Google Spatone - it is a wonderful alternative, much better absorbed by the body and none of the horrible side effects that traditional iron supplements can give. It’s a liquid that can be hidden in juice, just has a slightly metallic taste but nothing awful. I was recommended it by a private obstetrician many years ago and still swear by it. DD needed iron supplements before/after major surgery last year and it was great for her as she wasn’t getting along with the ones she’d been prescribed whatsoever