Baby Sleep and Iron Levels
I started pursuing a certification in Baby-Led Sleep after I had my twins.
When my eldest was 2 and my twins were 1, I was still fully immersed in my studies. So, it was only natural that they would become my first official case study.
At the time, I was exploring how important it is to make sure that there are no potential undiagnosed medical conditions before trying to resolve any child’s sleep challenges.
Learning about the connection of low Ferritin and bedtime restlessness prompted me to request blood tests from my kids’ pediatrician to assess their iron levels. However, my plea was met with resistance.
I tried again with a different doctor without any luck. The doctor kept assuring me that my twins, although exclusively breastfed, showed no signs of need for intrusive testing, especially since they were consuming iron-rich foods as of 6 months of age.
As I pursued my certification, a crucial piece of information surfaced – children store iron levels during the last trimester of pregnancy, placing babies born preterm at a higher risk of low ferritin.
Given that my twins were born at 36 weeks, I revisited the doctor and persisted in my request. I managed to convince him this time, and the blood tests confirmed my doubts.
Both twins were iron deficient, which was a significant factor that contributed to bedtime restlessness.
Thankfully, iron deficiency is one of the easiest medical conditions to address. My babies were immediately prescribed supplements and their iron levels were restored.
Their sleep? Once we tackled this piece of the puzzle among other factors, my babies started to sleep for much longer stretches.
What I Learned from my Experience
In essence, my journey underscores a vital piece of advice for fellow mothers – always trust your instincts!
If you sense something is wrong, don’t hesitate to advocate for your child’s well-being, especially if they were born preterm.
This vigilance can uncover underlying factors impacting sleep and overall health.
Trust your intuition, mama – it’s a powerful guiding force!
With love,
Nada
