Anemia While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is best for your baby. Sometimes, moms can be iron deficient, causing anemia. Anemia can be caused by a lack of iron, folate, or vitamin 12 in your diet. In fact, if a baby was born premature, your doctor will probably recommend extra iron supplements if you exclusively breastfeed. The reason is because these babies have had decreased transfer of iron prenatally. Breastfeeding moms should continue to take prenatal vitamins. In addition, some moms will be recommended by their doctor to take an additional iron supplement if their levels are too low while breastfeeding.After you give birth, make sure you get tested to know your iron level. What is anemia? Anemia is a condition in which your blood has lower than normal numbers of red blood cells. Furthermore, if you are low in hemoglobin, anemia occurs. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives blood its red color. This protein helps carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Anemia is caused by the abnormally low number of red blood cells in your blood. Red blood cells contain protein hemoglobin which carries oxygen to the body's cells. Additionally, you may have low blood pressure due to reduced blood volume. If you don't have enough oxygen, rich blood, you may start to feel weak, dizzy, pale skin, difficulty with memory and concentration, have a shortness of breath and get headaches. Therefore, it is important to get anemia under control. Blood is made up of many parts: red and white blood cells, platelets and plasma, the fluid portion of blood.There are 3 main causes of anemia: losing too much blood from various situations reasons, lack of red blood cell production or high rates of red blood cell destruction. How is anemia treated? Treatment depends on what's causing your anemia. Iron supplements may be needed to correct iron deficiency.In addition, for severe anemia, sometimes blood transfusions may be needed. Women with Vitamin B-12 deficiency, need injections for anemia. Folic acid deficiency anemia can take folic acid supplements for a while.Hopefully, your anemia will get corrected with a treatment of iron pills, shots and add iron in their diets. In conclusion, if you feel you have any signs of symptoms of anemia, consult your doctor. Together, you and your doctor will come up with a treatment plan. With proper treatment, many types of anemia can be eliminated, especially those caused by iron deficiency and vitamin deficiency. IRON RICH FOODS: beef, beef and chicken liver, pork,poultry, clams, oysters, fish, eggs, beans and lentils, tofu, sun-dried tomatoes, potatoes, nuts and seeds, dried fruit, raisins, prunes, apricots, dark green vegetable, iron-fortified grains and pasta FOLATE RICH FOODS: beans and legumes, lentils, pintos, garbanzo beans, black-eyed peas, chicken liver, romaine lettuce and dark green vegetables, asparagus, bell peppers,broccoli, peanuts and peanut butter, orange juice, avocado, green peas VITAMIN B12 RICH FOODS:clams, beef liver, fortified cereal, trout, tuna fish, salmon, haddock,beef, milk, yogurt, eggs