Iron is an important part of a baby's diet. It is mainly used in the development of hemoglobin, which is the structure in a red blood cell that attaches to oxygen. Without adequate iron, a baby may become anemic, which can be dangerous for a developing newborn. Babies receive iron from their mothers' breast milk, but formula babies or mothers with poor iron levels can use supplements in the infant's diet.
Ferrous Sulfate
Ferrous sulfate is found in supplements and dietary foods. Breastfeeding mothers can give their infants ferrous sulfate by eating oysters, meat, poultry and fish. Ferrous sulfate is the main component in heme, which is a part of the hemoglobin that attaches to oxygen. Ferrous sulfate is found in enriched baby formula.
Ferrous Fumarate
Ferrous fumarate is found in some vegetarian supplements. Vegetarian mothers may have low iron levels, in which case their babies do not receive enough iron in their diets. Freeda is a product that can be used for mothers who need to improve breast milk iron when breastfeeding. Ferrous fumarate is also found in cereal and enriched baby formula.
Ferrous Gluconate
Ferrous gluconate is used by the body when other iron sources are low. This supplement is used to improve iron levels and helps prevent other conditions. Ferrous gluconate is one of the last choices in supplements for iron deficiency because it's used by the body only when other iron sources have been depleted. Breastfeeding mothers can eat beans, lentils, flours, cereals and grain products to improve breast milk iron. Ferrous gluconate supplements are included in fortified baby formula, cereals, and liquids.
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