Formula - with or without iron?

azukow27

We just made the switch to formula and our pedi recommended starting with a formula with iron.  I was worried about constipation, but he said most babies are fine and it is best to see how your LO reacts before going without iron since most babies need that extra bit. 

Well, DS smells like iron!!  Anyone else's LO smell like iron???  Obviously I will tolerate it if it is better for him, but his pooping has definitely changed.  He went almost 2 days without going (which is very unusual for him, even when he was breastfed) and is farting like crazy, but he doesn't seem bothered by it at all.  He would normally go 1-2 times a day before we started with formula.  Anyone having issues with formula with iron?  We are giving him Similar Advanced EarlyShield and his BM's definitely have changed from when he was breastfed.......just looking to hear what others are doing (with or without iron) and how it is affecting their LO.

JARbaby

I founf it VERY hard to fine it without iron. It is very important. Smelling like it is not big deal.

susie1079

The low level of iron in formula is usually not a problem. It may be the lactose. Maybe he needs a low-lactose, lacto-free or Soy formula.  We had to use a lacto-free formula.

fxz109

Babies need iron.

It's not the iron that's changed his bowel habits, it's probably just the formula in general.

rylen11

All mass-available formula in the US has iron in it -- I think it's actually legally mandated.