Meezerowner
Mum of twin girls
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- Jan 27, 2012
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Long term BFers please wade in with advice here. My twins are nearly 26 months now and are still BFing at night.
My little twin 2 has iron def anaemia which we have been struggling to improve with medication (which she refuses passionately) and diet (she eats the right things but doesn't eat enough).
At our appointment with the paediatrician today he told me to stop the BF and to stop giving them cow's milk too. His argument was that it is too filling and stops them eating particularly noting that breast milk is sweet and the iron content is low.
Now they don't guzzle cow's milk all day long actually they really dont have that much (1-2 small cups - if that, and not before meals) and they are only BFing at night (with the occasional blip!). I really don't think that is what is effecting her appetite and I dont think that I should cut out all milk altogether that sounds crazy to me. For a start I reckon we'll end up with a calcium deficiency as well.
But part of me is a bit worried that this is my fault now for letting them continue BFing so long. But I don't think any of us are ready to stop yet.... am I being selfish here and should I be pushing them into weaning completely?
I asked to be referred to the dietitian (we saw one at about 8 months but obviously their eating habits have changed since then as they were doing BLW and mostly picking the odd thing up to eat). The doc said the dietitian would tell me the same thing about the milk.
On a side note I know all the right foods to be feeding her we do all the iron rich stuff and most of the food is home cooked too... unfortunately I cant control whether or not they actually eat stuff!
She is crazy about eating fruit and veg which is good and she does like meat too its just the quantities that are small.
Anyways any thoughts from long term feeders or others that have dealt with anaemia welcome.
My little twin 2 has iron def anaemia which we have been struggling to improve with medication (which she refuses passionately) and diet (she eats the right things but doesn't eat enough).
At our appointment with the paediatrician today he told me to stop the BF and to stop giving them cow's milk too. His argument was that it is too filling and stops them eating particularly noting that breast milk is sweet and the iron content is low.
Now they don't guzzle cow's milk all day long actually they really dont have that much (1-2 small cups - if that, and not before meals) and they are only BFing at night (with the occasional blip!). I really don't think that is what is effecting her appetite and I dont think that I should cut out all milk altogether that sounds crazy to me. For a start I reckon we'll end up with a calcium deficiency as well.
But part of me is a bit worried that this is my fault now for letting them continue BFing so long. But I don't think any of us are ready to stop yet.... am I being selfish here and should I be pushing them into weaning completely?
I asked to be referred to the dietitian (we saw one at about 8 months but obviously their eating habits have changed since then as they were doing BLW and mostly picking the odd thing up to eat). The doc said the dietitian would tell me the same thing about the milk.
On a side note I know all the right foods to be feeding her we do all the iron rich stuff and most of the food is home cooked too... unfortunately I cant control whether or not they actually eat stuff!
She is crazy about eating fruit and veg which is good and she does like meat too its just the quantities that are small.Anyways any thoughts from long term feeders or others that have dealt with anaemia welcome.
and am afraid of either hurting her physically or choking her with the drops. As you cant keep her head still enough to dispense them safely. The times I have got it in she just spits it straight out anyway. 
