Iron Drops for Anemia

CCM82909

DS2 got his iron levels tested during his 9month screening for lead.  We never had to do this back in TN, but I was told it was routine in TX to do so at 9 or 12 months.  With that being said, I just got a call today saying that his labs came back with low iron and I needed to get an OTC multivitamin with iron.  The nurse recommended Poly vi sol, but DS1 would never take it.  Has anyone done the Floradix?  Would you recommend it over the Poly vi sol if you've tried it?

techg0ddess

I had the same result yesterday. Z was on the low end so doc recommended the Poly vi sol with iron and to put it in his bottle. I put half the dose in one bottle and the other in another bottle. I figure this would be best so we didn't have to send the bottle around to the sitters. It also smells bad (being a vitamin and all) and figured half in his 8 oz bottle would be better than the whole thing . He didn't have any issues yesterday. 

techg0ddess

Oh and I didn't even see an alternative to the Poly Si in the Walgreen so I can't tell ya about the Floradix. 

CCM82909

Thanks!  We ended up just getting the Poly vi sol since no one carries the Floradix around here.  He took his first dose today (with a little bit of convincing) so hopefully it works out okay.

techg0ddess

CCM82909 are you guys having issues with bowl movements now? Z went to real hard turd like poop and pushing so hard to get it out. It was also very dark. I've cut back on the amount I've been giving him (skipping to like every other day and only half the amount) and making sure he's getting more green veggies to eat instead. Hopefully that works for him. I'm also going to switch up formula to the toddler version which has more iron and calcium in it. 

@katimay8979- Maybe ask what the numbers were as well. We just got told it was borderlines so maybe her's were lower. 

CCM82909

@techg0ddess We haven't had issues yet with constipation.  He has had more bowel movements and they've been darker in color, but no straining.  We can hardly get him to take the whole dose, even with mixing it in apple sauce.

Anyone with general tips on getting the baby to take the whole dose?  I'm at a loss and have quit trying for the time being.  On an additional note, this stuff is absolutely horrible in smell.

techg0ddess

he seemed to do better when we put it in his morning bottle cause he sleeps through that most of the time. have you tried doing half in one bottle and half in another? that's what we started with and it worked great . Z isn't a fan of juice and I couldn't even imagine just doing it straight or in water. uck!

CCM82909

I still breastfeed and he won't drink out of a bottle.  I think DH is just wanting to give him more iron-fortified foods and see what happens from there.  

JodiAriel

We use Floradix.  1/2 tsp for one baby and 3/4 tsp for the other (her iron level was lower).  We put it in their bed time bottle with a dose of probiotic as well.  You can get it on Amazon or at Whole Foods or any other health food store.  It's way better than the Poly-vi-sol.