iron deficiency for babies what is its effect?

Question

How will an iron deficiency affect my baby?

Answer 1

See below:: Iron is necessary to make red blood cells, as well as for normal growth and development. Iron deficiency in infancy may be associated with developmental delays or behavioral problems.A full-term infant born from a healthy mother will have enough iron to support growth and development until four to six months of age. After that, iron needs to be absorbed through the diet.

Answer 2

Anemia: Iron deficiency is a concern because Iron deficiency can delay normal infant motor function (normal activity and movement) or mental function (normal thinking and processing skills)

Answer 3

Blood test: Your baby can look pale, feel tired, sleep more than usual and/or have a decreased appetite. Often times, a baby won't have any symptoms and the deficiency will be picked up via screening labs.

Answer 4

Lab work: Babies at high risk for iron deficiency include those born prematurely and babies who aren't eating any solids (like rice cereal) after 6 months old. For toddlers, those who drink more than 24 oz of cow's milk a day or follow a vegetarian diet are at highest risk. Because children can have iron deficiency without symptoms a lab test is needed for diagnosis (screening is usually done at 12 mo).

Answer 5

A blood test: It is hard to tell whether or not a 6 month old baby has iron deficiency without doing a blood test. Babies often are a bit deficient in iron because they grow so fast, and new growth (new muscle cells, new blood cells, etc. . .) requires iron. Breast milk, iron-fortified formula, and iron-fortified baby cereal all supply needed iron for a baby's growth.

Answer 6

Portable crib: Most hotels will have cribs available to rent, but it might make sense to invest in a portable "pack and play" type crib. Babies need to sleep on a firm surface, and should not be in the bed with you. Also, since hotels are not "babyproofed", the portable crib can also be used to help keep an older baby safe.

Answer 7

Crib: Most hotels will provide a crib. Avoid sleeping in the same bed with you baby.

Answer 8

Infant crib: Your infant should sleep in a crib when traveling. Portable cribs are convenient for parents and familiar for babies. If you cannot bring your own portable crib, ask your hotel to supply one for you. Sleep routines can become altered when traveling; you can resume your usual routine once you return home. If using an older crib when you visit family, check to make sure it meets modern standards.

Answer 9

Travel crib: If you travel frequently you might consider purchasing a travel crib. Some of them are very compact to make transport easy, there are even some that are like "pods" that use an inflatable mattress. Most hotels offer cribs as an option, but again it depends on comfort levels and how clean the crib might be.

Answer 10

Crib: Most hotels have cribs you can rent or borrow. Just remember to wipe them down with disinfecting wipes first because you never know who chewed on the crib last.

Answer 11

Crib: Most hotels can provide a crib for your infant - just call ahead and request one. If this is unavailable, a folding crib is an option - graco and baby bjorn both make them.

Answer 12

Hotels have cribs: Travelers can ask for a baby crib at hotels. Just check the crib to be sure it is safe. Babies can also sleep in a foldable playpen (be sure the playpen is set up safely, and won't collapse or tangle up the baby). Before going to bed, learn the fire exit routes, in case guests have to evacuate in the darkness of night.

Answer 13

Crib: Most hotels have cribs available for guests with infants. When you make reservations request a crib, or purchase a portable crib/playpen and bring it with you. Make sure the mattress fits snugly, without gaps between it and rails. Bars should be no greater than 3/8" apart (shouldn't fit a pop can between bars). Have fun on your trip!

Answer 14

No: Not generally. Usually repositioning does wonders, making things of interest be on the other side of the room. Of course, make sure there isn't abnormal neck tightness, and that the flatness isn't too far gone. A pediatrician can tell if a helmet is necessary, but most don't need that. Once they sit up for awhile, starting at 4-6 months, the head returns to a normal shape.

Answer 15

No: If a baby has a flat spot on the back of the head (from sleeping always in the same head position), the baby's head will look asymmetric. This is a cosmetic problem, because the baby's brain works just fine. If the parents want to round-out the head, they can purchase a helmet program (a custom helmet is made and must be adjusted many times) to improve the head shape and appearance.

Answer 16

No: Depending on the type of head deformity, such as in the case of craniosynostosis or premature closure of the plates forming the newborn skull, the treatment is surgery and is emergent. Your doctor can help you know if your child has this condition.

Answer 17

No: It depends. If the condition is mild, simple repositioning, increasing tummy time, and occasionally neck exercises are all that is needed to correct the problem (especially if it is treated very early on while the skull is still remolding). If it is a very severe problem, you may consult a specialist to determine if a helmet is medically appropriate or necessary. Best to consult your doctor.

Answer 18

No: Not necessarily. It depends how flat the head is. There are specialists that will measure your babies head and tell you if it is flat enough to need a helmet.

Answer 19

Child health: The helmet use is based on the age of the child at time of detection. In the younger child under 6 months of age the first step is to reposition the child off the affected side and if it does not improved by 7/8 months one then considers the option of moving to the helmet.

Answer 20

Leave them alone: The best thing to do is to leave them alone. Try to get rid of the offending agent, heat, over bundling; consider an office visit if baby's skin does not improve. It may be eczema or another common childhood rash.

Answer 21

Find the cause: Low hemoglobin is not always due to iron deficiency, your doctor has to find the cause of the low hemoglobin and treat it if possible.

Answer 22

Need more info: If you are anemic, the cause needs to be ascertained and treatment directed at the cause. If your anemia is due to iron deficiency and you do not wish to take iron pills, replacement iron can be administered by intravenous infusion.

iron deficiency for babies what is its effect?

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