Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by
Iron is an important mineral that’s necessary for your body to function properly. It helps your red blood cells carry oxygen to your organs and tissues, which are essential for energy, growth and development.
Breastfeeding moms need to be aware of how much iron they’re getting from their diet because it’s often difficult to meet your daily requirements while nursing.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that breastfeeding mothers who are not supplementing with formula or solid foods should eat foods containing at least 10 milligrams of iron per day.

Iron is an essential mineral that plays a role in many body functions. It is needed for the formation of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to cells. Iron also helps carry other molecules through the blood stream.
The body absorbs iron from plant-based foods better than it does animal sources. Many foods contain iron, but some are better sources than others. When you’re breastfeeding, your diet can affect how much iron you have in your body and how well your baby’s growing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that breastfeeding women get about 10 milligrams of iron each day — about double what non-pregnant women need (5 milligrams).
Iron is a mineral that is essential for the formation of red blood cells and the transport of oxygen throughout your body.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you’re breastfeeding, your doctor may recommend taking an iron supplement to prevent this condition.
Food sources for iron include lean meats, seafood, beans and other legumes, tofu, fortified cereals and breads, leafy green vegetables (especially spinach), broccoli, dried fruits and juices.
Iron is essential for the formation of red blood cells. It’s also important to cognitive development, the nervous system and muscle function.
Though your body stores iron, it’s not enough to cover what you’ll need during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Your baby will get some of that iron from your breast milk but not all of it. So it’s important to consume plenty of iron-rich foods while breastfeeding, such as:
Vegetables like spinach, dark leafy greens and beans
Dried fruit (unsweetened)
Lean meats (such as beef, pork and poultry)
Iron is an essential mineral that plays a role in the formation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout the body.
About 15 percent of pregnant women and 5 percent of nonpregnant women in the United States are iron deficient, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Iron deficiency during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, premature delivery and anemia. Your doctor will test your iron levels at your first prenatal visit. If your iron level is low, she’ll recommend taking an iron supplement and eating iron-rich foods to help increase it.
Iron vitamins for breastfeeding mom
Iron deficiency is a real concern for new breastfeeding mothers as baby’s needs are now your own, and you lose blood during delivery, which means there is a higher possibility of becoming anemic. With this information in mind, there are some very simple changes one can make in order to get their iron intake back on the right track towards replenishing what the body has lost. As with most things when it comes to parenting, knowledge makes all the difference.
Breastfeeding moms need iron, but the supplements tend to be expensive. When you’re living off of a budget, this can add up. Thankfully, there are cheaper alternatives that do the same thing. For me, I’ve used Floradix for years and had no problems with it whatsoever. I’ve also recommended it to friends who were also very satisfied. The key is to continue drinking lots of fluids and eat iron rich foods while taking these tablets.
Iron deficiency can cause several unpleasant conditions in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.They include tiredness, weakness, headache, irritability and difficulty concentrating, to name just a few. These symptoms might appear during the early stages of pregnancy even before a baby bump is visible. Fortunately, some methods can be employed by expectant mothers to support healthy iron levels.
I think what you are doing to supplement your iron levels (take a multivitamin, eat more meat and dark leafy greens) is a better solution than iron supplements. Iron supplements typically contain 50mg of iron and this is generally an upper limit before you can have adverse effects of iron excess in the body. That’s why it is critical to balance the amount of iron that your body absorbs by eating meat and dark leafy vegetables.
During slow growth period, body should have enough iron. If you do use iron supplements, however, make sure that it is taken after consultation with your doctor as its overdose can cause side effects like vomiting and constipation.