How Does Iron Deficiency Anaemia Affect Breastfeeding? Causes, Impacts, Risk Factors And Preventions

Find out “How Does Iron Deficiency Anaemia Affect Breastfeeding?” Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a condition where not enough oxygen-carrying haemoglobin is produced in the red blood cells. This can result in fatigue, breathlessness and an overall lack of energy. While IDA is common during pregnancy, it can also affect breastfeeding mothers and their babies. In this article, we will explore how IDA affects breastfeeding, its causes, impacts, risk factors and preventions.

How Does Iron Deficiency Anaemia Affect Breastfeeding?

Iron is essential for the production of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body. If you’re iron deficient, you may become anaemic. Being anaemic can make you feel tired and lethargic, and can affect your ability to concentrate. It can also make you more susceptible to infections.

If you’re breastfeeding and iron deficient, it’s important to get your iron levels checked and treated. This is because low iron levels can affect your milk supply, and your baby may not be getting enough iron from your breast milk. If you’re found to be anaemic, your doctor will likely recommend that you take an iron supplement. You may also be advised to eat more foods that are rich in iron, such as leafy green vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, beans and lentils.

What is iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition where there is not enough iron in the body to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body. This can lead to fatigue, breathlessness and an inability to concentrate. Iron deficiency anaemia can also cause problems with breastfeeding, as low iron levels can impact milk production. There are a number of risk factors for iron deficiency anaemia, including pregnancy and blood loss. However, it can be prevented by taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods.

What causes iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron is essential for the production of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency anaemia can therefore lead to fatigue and a reduced ability to breastfeed effectively.

There are a number of causes of iron deficiency anaemia, including:

• Blood loss: This can be due to heavy menstrual bleeding, blood loss during childbirth or breastfeeding, or any other kind of injury or surgery.
• Poor absorption of iron: This can be due to certain medical conditions such as coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It can also be due to taking certain medications (such as proton pump inhibitors) or having had gastric bypass surgery.
• Increased need for iron: This can occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding when there is a greater demand for iron.

Risk factors for developing iron deficiency anaemia include being female (due to blood loss from menstruation), being pregnant or breastfeeding, having a history of iron deficiency anaemia, being vegetarian or vegan (as dietary sources of iron are more limited), and having certain medical conditions that affect iron absorption.

What are the impacts of iron deficiency anaemia on breastfeeding?

There are a number of impacts that iron deficiency anaemia can have on breastfeeding. Firstly, it can lead to fatigue and a general feeling of weakness. This can make it difficult to maintain a good milk supply, as well as make it harder to breastfeed for long periods of time. Additionally, iron deficiency anaemia can cause problems with the production of breast milk. This can result in lower quality and quantity of milk being produced, which can be detrimental to the health of both mother and child. Finally, iron deficiency anaemia can also increase the risk of infection, both for the mother and child. This is due to the fact that iron plays an important role in the immune system, and when levels are low it can make individuals more susceptible to illness.

What are the risk factors for iron deficiency anaemia?

There are several risk factors that may contribute to iron deficiency anaemia. These include:

• Being pregnant or breastfeeding: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are at a higher risk for iron deficiency anaemia because they need more iron to support their growing baby.
• Having heavy menstrual periods: Women who have heavy menstrual periods lose a lot of blood, which can lead to iron deficiency anaemia.
• Losing blood due to injury or surgery: Any type of blood loss can cause iron deficiency anaemia.
• Having a diet that is low in iron: Iron is found in food such as red meat, dark leafy greens, beans, and fortified cereals. If you don’t eat enough of these foods, you may be at risk for iron deficiency anaemia.
• Being unable to absorb enough iron from food: Some people have a condition that prevents their body from absorbing enough iron from food. This can lead to iron deficiency anaemia.

How can iron deficiency anaemia be prevented?

Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition where there is not enough iron in the body. This can happen if there is not enough iron in the diet, or if the body is not able to absorb iron from food. Iron deficiency anaemia can cause tiredness, shortness of breath and paleness. It can also affect the ability to breastfeed.

There are a number of ways that iron deficiency anaemia can be prevented. These include:

• Ensuring that there is enough iron in the diet. This can be done by eating foods that are rich in iron, such as red meat, dark leafy greens, beans and lentils. If necessary, supplements can also be taken.
• Helping the body to absorb iron from food. This can be done by taking vitamin C at the same time as eating foods that contain iron. Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron from food.
• Donating blood regularly. Blood contains iron and donating blood helps to keep levels of iron up in the body.

Points To Remember

• Even if you have iron deficiency anaemia, it is recommended to start breastfeeding your baby. The best way to do so is to consult your medical expert for iron supplements or intravenous infusion of iron.
• Prescribed iron supplements are safe during breastfeeding.
• The dose of iron decreases after pregnancy. Therefore, in many women, the supply of iron can also be met by prenatal multivitamins or iron-rich foods.
• To make sure the baby gets enough iron, add iron-rich or vitamin C rich foods to your baby’s diet. [9]
• If you have problems due to which you are unable to breastfeed your baby, give them iron-fortified formula milk instead of cow’s milk.

Conclusion

Iron deficiency anaemia can have a significant impact on breastfeeding, both in terms of the quality and quantity of breastmilk produced. In addition, it can also lead to tiredness and fatigue, which can make it difficult to cope with the demands of motherhood. If you suspect that you may be iron deficient, it is important to speak to your doctor so that you can receive treatment and minimise the risks associated with this condition.