[blparent] questions about baby's well visit

[Bernadetta Pracon]

Jan,
Your doctor is actually correct. A while back, breast feeding wasn't 
studied as closely; Professionals didn't much concentrate on the 
benefits of breast milk as well as what it lacks. It has been concluded 
that breast milk doesn't have enough vitamin D, and perhaps not enough 
iron. The doc told you to give your son vitamin D from the beginning 
because that wasn't in his diet since he was exclusively breastfed. He 
only told you about the iron now because newborns  are born with enough 
iron to last them three to four months. Later, iron is vital to their 
diet, and breastmilk doesn't usually have enough unless you are taking 
iron tablets yourself. And even then, it's better to feed your baby the 
iron vitamin rather than take it yourself in pill form. Your doctor 
just wants your baby to be in optimal health. I don't think he's 
overreacting or giving you unnecessary advice.
It should also be noted that formula fed babies don't have to be 
supplemented with iron or vitamin d because formula already contains a 
lot of both. With all that said, it's still a thousand times more 
nutricious to breast feed, just have to try and add the supplements.

all best,

Bernadetta