Can Iron In Baby Formula Cause Constipation

Constipation is one of the more common side effects of iron supplementation.

Can iron in baby formula cause constipation.

Iron fortification and gastrointestinal distress there is a misconception by some health professionals and parents that infants fed iron fortified formulas have more gastrointestinal distress such as colic constipation diarrhea or gastroesophageal reflux. Sometimes switching to another brand will help the milk based formulas are not all the same. The result can be hard dry stools that are difficult to pass. If your baby becomes dehydrated his system will respond by absorbing more fluid from whatever he eats or drinks and also from the waste in his bowels.

2 examples of these are nutramigen and alimentum. For most kids that does not make a difference and the iron is very important for growing babies. Of these constipation and irritability appear to be the most common concern. Iron fortified formula tends to offset the problem of anemia in babies.

Allergies to some of the proteins in the formula could cause the discomfort. Instead of switching to a low iron formula consider switching to a formula without milk protein. Decreasing breast milk in your baby s diet can sometimes lead to dehydration contributing to constipation. The worry makes sense after all when adults take iron supplements they can get constipated.

However if your baby is allergic to iron this formula might not work. The kidshealth website states that infants strain during a bowel movement because they are lying on their backs but if your baby cries or has hard small stool he is constipated. While it s true that iron supplements often cause constipation in children and adults the type of iron found in a baby formula does not cause constipation in infants. The constipation can be formula related though.

Can iron in baby formula cause constipation. According to the clinical studies conducted by the american academy of pediatrics iron fortified formula do not cause constipation in babies. While the amount of iron in formula is too low to cause constipation the higher amount in iron drops can. You can view the product on amazon by clicking here.

Here s another question pediatricians get every so often. Furthermore iron is a necessity in babies nutrition as without it the baby can suffer from development and growth delays.