milk and iron absorption

[amy2410]

Can you help - my DD is 7 months next week. We started weaning at 22 weeks. I have been using both AKarmel book and Gina and both say that at the meal you introduce protein you should stop feeding milk as it inhibits iron absorption. I'm sure this is true - why would they publish it otherwise!!? I just wondered if anyone knew if this is really a big issue esp if she is on formula that surely has iron in it too.

I tried dropping the milk today with my DD, fed her chicken casserole ala Gina and no milk to follow. When I put her down for her nap she wouldn't settle so I went in and gave her a bottle and she drank 6oz and fell asleep in my arms.

Normally she only drinks about 3oz anyway after her lunch and even though I have now introduced protein at this meal I still feel I should be giving her milk afterwards. It just seems wrong to drop and DD seemed to agree with that!!

Any guidance would be gratefully received.

ps she loved the chicken casserole!

I got round that issue by splitting up milk and solids i.e. I gave milk an hour or so before offering solids so ds wouldnt cut down on his milk so quickly but still have room for his solids e.g.

7am - milk
8am - breakfast
11am - milk
12pm - lunch
3pm - milk
5pm - dinner
7.15pm - milk

I would personally go with whatever works for you and your lo and if she wants milk after food then give it to her.

Does it really say milk prevents iron absorption? Follow on milks have added iron don't they

We alternate solid meals and milk feeds just because otherwise its too much food for dss little tum. We offer him water with his solid meals (he doesn't drink it though) and when he's a bit bigger will start offering apple and orange juice (fresh of course ). Worked beautifully for DS1 and he never devloped anaemia

If she wants her milk, give it to her. tbh she'll still be getting the bulk of her nutrition from her milk til she's about 1 so I wouldn't sweat it too much

oo, almost exactly the same as seona

thanks for support, sometimes you get so tied up with what the books say you stop trusting your own instincts. Will feed her milk after lunch tomorrow and see how it goes. Seeing HV on Monday too so will see what she says and post back if she has any words of wisdom! Main thing is DD is v.happy (apart from when I didn't feed her milk after lunch today!!)and it is not as though I am feeding her poison!! It is just food. Cripes I never thought I would worry about things like this before I had a baby!!