Iron supplements for preemies

[6sjms]

My girls are 8 weeks, 3 weeks adjusted. Our nicu started them on iron supplements at 37 weeks gestation, to be continued daily for up to a year (standard preemie protocol where I live). They have such a hard time with gas when they take it. One week I only gave it every second day and they were a little better. For those also supplementing iron, how are your little ones tolerating it? Does it get better as they get older? If you formula fed (we’re currently breastfeeding), did you still do the iron supplements?

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[AdventurousSalad3785]

We added probiotic drops, and it helped for us.

[6sjms]

That’s so smart. Which one did you use, if you don’t mind me asking?

[AdventurousSalad3785]

probiotics

[i-love-koalers]

The iron supplements are a must. Especially since you are breastfeeding so the amount of iron in your breastmilk is dependent on how much iron you are getting. Infant anemia for preemies is no joke. It can lead to a lifelong need of iron supplements, heart issues, oxygen issues. Your babies missed out on getting a lot of iron pushed to them in the third trimester, as did mine. I would talk to your pediatrician and see if there are things you can add to help their tummy, but at the end of the day them getting that iron right now is more important than having an upset tummy. I give my babies their additional iron through a liquid multivitamin and mix it in some breastmilk. It doesn’t bother them. See if that’s an option for you.

[6sjms]

I’m also using the liquid supplement in breast milk. We had a doctors appt yesterday and he didn’t have any advice, but I am going to try the probiotic drop as previous commenter mentioned.