BF toddler, mum gas a massive bleed - impact on her?
DD is 27 months. Last week I had a massive bleed. D&C stopped it but guesstimate is around 1.5- 1.8L over four days. My iron stores are probably shot to hell. They are being tested now
What impact will this have on DD? She still feeds from me at least 4 times a day. If my o
Iron levels are as low as I think they may be at the moment, will it make a difference to her? If I need iron supplements, will they impact her?
She has a great solids diet but is definitely a boobie girl
I thought iron in breast milk started dropping off at about 6 months which is one of the reasons solids are introduced around that time and why they fortify rice cereal with iron? That's what my MCHN told me....
She gets lots if good stuff from your BM, but I think her main source of iron now would be from food.
Sorry about the spelling boo boo in title. Was laying in bed again. Feeding DD. Don't have the energy to feed her sitting up!
The main reason I am asking, which i didn't get to type as she was getting restless - she is TT herself at the moment and having horrible issues with number 2's. She will hold on til she can't anymore and then ends up very distressed. We let her choose nappy or potty to make it as minimally stressful as possible. The consistency at the moment is soft so she isn't straining - I am worried if I take iron it may bind her up and make it more traumatic for her, which I don't want.
I am not taking anything more than a standard multi at the moment as blood levels need to be checked. My nan had a disorder where her body wouldn't get rid of excess blood cells - she had to essentially gave blood taken, like fir a donation, and destroyed, every few weeks - so I have to be monitored before and during stuff like this in case I develop it as well. Sucks. I know I am probably more like mums side - anaemic - than dads side but because it's dangerous the doc isn't prepared to risk it. If I'm not anaemic there us something else wring CID I can't sit up without feeling crap die more than a few hours!
You body will repair you first. It's a reason why often anaemic women can't conceive or breastfeed. If there aren't the nutrients required, it doesnt work. You need to build your strength up. Your body will filter what is ok to pass through the breastmilk. I doubt her iron levels will be affected, though I'm no expert. I'd be more concerned with keeping your supply. You body needs to build blood, so may not be able to produce as much breastmilk.
On another note, this may sound strange, but can you look at some old fashioned remedies for building up your blood? Meat broths are especially good at times like these. Those old school invalid remedies really work. So whilst you might not want calves foot jelly, if you can eat liver at all, your body will thank you for it. You may need to hide it in a stew. Fresh chicken soup, beef soup/stew etc are things your body needs. Made from scratch - you need the nutrients from the bones, so fresh stock. Get your DH to make them if he can. Otherwise, I'm happy to cook stuff up but wouldnt be able to get it to you until the weekend. Even sipping cups of bovril will help you now. Miso soup is also good.
This shouldn't have any affect on your little one. And you will have an easy way of comforting her while resting yourself. There is only a small amount of iron in breastmilk - that's the design, not a fault! so breastfeeding doesn't *take* iron from your body. In fact, for most women (I realise your LO is older now) they don't have a period for a long time while they breastfeed, so they are making a saving on iron. Baby's stores of iron come largely from stores laid down in utero, which may be running low in the second half of the first year, supplemented by breastmilk and then solids when baby is over 6mnths. Conversely formula is heavily loaded with iron, but in a form that is virtually unusable by the baby's body.
I am doing pretty well at staying hydrated myself, so i know she is getting plenty of "fluid" in the milk. and she eats really well in terms of vegies - meat is a bit hit and miss, but we make sure she has iron rich veg in her diet, so i'm not too stressed on her being without the iron - more the impact iron supplements would have on her. being able to comfort feed her the past week has been a HUGE help to both DH and myself (and her, i'm sure) - DVD on for me to watch, her and i laying in bed feeding/cuddling/watching the box (not that she watches much - too busy talking to mummy!) - while DH cooks etc. It's been fantastic - i still feel like i'm helping him with the cooking and stuff, even if i'm not physically helping
BG totally off topic but I can't believe Miss E is over 2 years old already. I remember you announcing your pregnancy lol. Gosh time flies. Just realised my DD3 is turning 3 next month
PS I hope you get some answers soon. Sending you heaps of "healing vibes"
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BF toddler, mum gas a massive bleed - impact on her?
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