The iron is in form called ferrous gluconate, which is effectively absorbed, gentle on the stomach, and unlikely to cause digestive upset or constipation 11.įloravit provides vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12. Health Canada recommends daily iron supplementation of 16-20mg during pregnancy 2.įloravit is a liquid iron supplement that is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and it promotes the formation of healthy red blood cells. Nausea, constipationand food aversions can make it even more challenging to eat a diet high in iron. It can be challenging to get enough iron from diet alone, especially given the increased requirements for iron during pregnancy and breastfeeding 2. People with digestive conditions such as Celiac disease, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and SIBO 1.People taking acid blocking medications for heartburn 1.People experiencing fatigue, depression, or brain fog 10.Children with behavioural concerns or ADHD 9.People lacking a nutrient-rich diet 1,4.Some groups of people are likely to have low iron, including: Hilary suggests aiming for a ferritin of 70-100 ug/L to support the healthy growth and development of baby during pregnancy, as well as mom’s increased iron requirements during breastfeeding. Since this is a wide range, you can imagine that someone with a ferritin of 7 ug/L would feel very different from someone with a ferritin level of 200 ug/L.Dr. The tricky part is that “normal” ferritin is defined as 5-272 ug/L. Ferritin is not reliable in the first six weeks postpartum, so it should be tested during pregnancy and repeated six to eight weeks postpartum. The best way to understand your iron status is by having a blood test to measure something called ferritin, which is our iron storage. Fatigue in breastfeeding women is significantly correlated with postpartum depression and early cessation of breastfeeding 8.
Sleeplessness in new parenthood is normal, but iron deficiency is a separate and preventable cause of postpartum fatigue. This means mom preferentially gives iron to her baby trough the breastmilk, depletingher own stores. Interestingly, breastfed babies tend to receive the same amount of iron from mom, regardless of mom’s iron level 7. During breastfeeding, a baby requires high amounts of iron to continue healthy growth and development.
There is significant blood loss during childbirth and in the following weeks, resulting in depletion of iron stores in new moms. Health Canada recommends supplementing 16 to 20mg of iron daily during pregnancy to reduce these risks 2. About 18% of pregnant women are iron deficient 3, and research shows that iron deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of maternal and infant mortality, premature birth, low birth weight and impaired cognitive and behavioural development 4-6. Our cells use this oxygen to make energy, and one of the highest demands for energy is growth of a baby in utero 2.Īccording to Health Canada, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency during pregnancy. Iron picks up oxygen from the lungs, loads it onto red blood cells, and transports it to every cell in the body, including the womb.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the body requires significantly more iron to meet the demands for the growth and development of a child 1,2.