Formula Not Fortified with Iron

There is a low iron Similac formula which is almost impossible to fined in stores - you would have to order online or special order it through a pharmacy. My cousin had to order cases from amazon.com, but it helped her daughter's constipation and gassiness. Just so you know, 6-12 month of age is the time when an infants' iron stores are the lowest and the majority of iron is supplied by formula. Low iron in the body leads to anemia. Just be sure your child is getting iron from other sources (ie food). Your doctor probably won't check for anemia until 1 year of age.

Couple of questions first... (only b/c my son did experience constipation and it wasn't what I thought!)
1. How long has it been since her last BM? Per my pediatrician, an infant isn't "constipated" until is has been at least 5 days AND they are straining to go.
2. Have you changed anything with her routine or diet?
3. Have you called the doctor?

I believe that Enfamil makes an Iron-free formula, but I would not switch without the doctor's input. Your baby needs some iron in her diet and you will need to find out how to do so safely. You may have to order the iron-free stuff b/c it isn't really recommended and is difficult to find!

E., There are no formulas on the market any more that do not contain iron...because babies need iron for their brain to grow! They need iron. Try Similac Sensitive it works very well. I work for a pediatrician part time and have had huge success with this formula. Try adding more fruits and vegetables, and remember that they will not poop as often once they are eating solids. Hope this helps.

you are correct. the iron will consitpate. give baby a bit of water in bottle. this can help.

Hi E.,
While I'm not an expert on formula and my last baby never had any, I'm wondering - did your doctor recommend the low iron formula? If not, then do not change your baby to a formula without the iron.
If your doctor has recommended the low iron formula, it's fine to go ahead, and it really doesn't matter what you choose. All formulas must meet certain minimum requirements, none are really "healthier" for your baby than others.

I agree w/ previous posts - if the doctor didn't say to reduce the iron than don't. Growing babies need iron! I suggest increasing her fruits & veggies. I was told if you want poop than feed them foods that start with "P", peaches, pears, prunes, peas & sweet potatoes (not regular potatoes as they then to bind). And fiber helps move things along just like it does in adults! As for the formula, I chose to mix my formula after my friend told me the good response her son had to Good Start, but I still had so much Enfamil. The Good Start still has iron, but the "comfort proteins" were easier to digest. Even on my 2nd & 3rd babies I mixed! (The Nestle Good Start was cheaper than Enfamil too!) Keep in mind that once babies switch to table food they don't have a BM nearly as often as they do when strictly breast/bottle feeding, once a day or every other day is still normal. You might increase her other fluids too, like include a sippy cup of water with snacks or very watered down juice. Good luck!

I actually don't know about a non-iron fortified formula, but I'd just like to encourage you not to remove the iron from her diet with a doctor's instructions. By 6 months, the baby has exhausted the stores of iron they built up in the womb and they have no source other than diet or supplementation. Low iron most notably causes anemia (which, particularly if severe, can be serious).

I'd speak with per ped first -- and then go on his/her recommendation for low-iron formula if it's needed.

I would suggest talking to your ped., but also making sure that everyday she has some fruit and veggies. Gerber has pureed mango or applesauce with prunes, both of which I found to be most helpful in keeping things regular.

Hi E.,
Let me tell you what worked for me. My son was the same, he would cry everytime he had to go! I tried to help him and that was not working. He would also puke up the formula after drinking it. I told my pediatrician (which by the way is very good) and he didn't agree with me; he told me that it seems a lot to the parent but the child doesn't puke everything and just to give him time. As I said before I disagreed. I bought the Similac with low iron, that worked for about two weeks. My son was 4 months old when I had no other choice after trying other formulas but to change him to regular milk. Yes at 4 months old! I would mix one once of milk with three ounces of water, then 2 ounces of milk with three of water and so on, until he was able to drink just the whole milk. Many may think that it was crazy, but I was going crazy with the constipation and the puking. This was back in 1998, now he is 11yrs old and in perfect health. Go with your guts. You do what the doctor says to do, you go on and try all you can try, but always follow you mother insticts, some times they work better than doctors.

but she still needs iron?
try pruine juice, dilluted with water. don't take iron from her formula