Healthy Diet Plans >> Articles >> Diet and Wellness

Do Formulas That Contain Iron Cause Constipation?

by Stella Morgan

Rate This Article

Most of the infant formulas available in the market are fortified with iron; some low-iron formulas are also available. Iron is an important mineral to produce red blood cells in a rapidly growing baby. Many adults taking iron supplements can show symptoms of constipation or abdominal distress.

But several studies clear this myth and indicate that iron in the baby formula is not the cause for constipation or abdominal distress like flatulence, diarrhea, colic, or reflux in an infant. This misconception for constipation due to iron consumption forms its roots from the mothers. Often a pregnant lady may suffer from constipation due to the hormonal changes occurring in her body during pregnancy, but the iron supplements taken during pregnancy are often blamed.

On the other hand iron is important in formation of hemoglobin which is a blood protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and vice versa carries carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Iron as a supplement is so important that it is required by even breast fed babies who are six months old. Moreover studies prove that school children who had good iron status as infants perform better on standardized developmental test when compared to children with lower infant iron status.

Healthy full term babies have enough iron stores which coupled with mother’s milk last for six months, but later iron supplements are required. With inadequate iron intake an infant cannot synthesize enough red blood cells and hemoglobin resulting to anemia. The Food and Drug Administration has permitted marketing of low-iron formulas as some pediatricians prefer it over iron fortified formulas. However it is important to understand the fact that a baby absorbs 100 percent iron from breast feeding but comparatively less from a baby formula.

It is wiser to consult your specialist if a baby is suffering from constipation or other gastric symptoms rather than switching baby formulas. It is important to deal with the problem that is infant constipation rather than eliminating iron fortified formulas from the baby’s diet. A baby is only constipated when the stool is difficult to pass and the consistency is hard. Generally most of the babies strain and grunt while having bowel movements, but this is not always an indication for constipation. Constipation can be relieved by giving the baby some extra water or prune juice daily. Include ‘P’ fruits like pears, prunes and peaches and avoid constipating solid foods like rice cereals, apple sauce, bananas or any other food that causes constipation.

Related Topics

Diet Tips Constipation Kids | Easy Constipation
Baby Formula Alternate Breastfeeding
Formula FeedingFormula feeding is becoming popular increasingly today and since babies are the sweetest gift from god, they deserve the best of...
Nutrition Source Cow s milk infants
Cow’s Milk for InfantsNutritionally the first year of life is very critical for a baby and they deserve the best available food options....
Therapeutic Properties Hoxsey Formula
Hoxsey FormulaHoxsey formula derives its name from its maker Harry Hoxsey. He used this alternative medicine to purify blood as well as for...
Baby Diet Infants Diet | Healthy Diet Newborn Babies
Baby Diet Breast milk is an essential part of baby diet. This begins right after birth till the infant is four months old. It continues along...

More..

Related Questions

Food constipation anemia
Dark green leafy vegetables should be included in the diet, this will solve both your problem of constipation and anemia. Include vegetables like...
Losing Weight Formula
Best Weight Loss FormulaThe best weight loss formula is to lose weight through natural methods. This formula is designed by combining regular...
Unhealthy diet poor eating habits causes constipation
Fasting basically means abstaining from partaking any food or drinks, or both, for a certain period of time. This period of time can vary from...
Top Ten Diet Tips Freedom Constipation
Constipation is a condition, accompanied by hard and dry stools, with pain in the defecation process. The stools are infrequent and are highly...
Baby Weight Gain
Advice on Baby Weight GainAn infant's birth weight is determined by the length of pregnancy, prepregnancy weight of the mother, weight gain during...

More..

Newsletter Subscription

Top Searched Keywords

:: diet

:: GASTRITIS

:: obesity

:: diabetes

:: constipation

diet plan fiber diet diet for gallstones personalized diet diabetes foods containing vitamin c good diet nutrients in food kidney stones diet gall bladder diet

Get Current News

Diet and Wellness