The Role of Breastfeeding in Preventing Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Long-Term Perspective
Backgorund: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common disease in infants caused by a lack of iron. IDA can affect the growth and development of newborns. Therefore, prevention activities are necessary.
Objectives: This review discusses how breastfeeding can help prevent iron deficiency early in life and may provide long-term benefits in reducing the incidence of anemia. In addition, the review discusses strategies for introducing iron-rich complementary foods and offers policy recommendations to support breastfeeding as a preventive measure against IDA.
Methods: The research was designed as a literature review, examining several articles from three online databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect.
Discussions: Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients, and breast milk helps lower the occasion of IDA. Although the iron content in breast milk is low, it is easily absorbed due to a component called lactoferrin. Vitamin C in breast milk also helps most effectively to increase iron absorption. Providing iron-rich complementary foods can help meet the daily iron needs of infants and children. The percentage of mothers who do not practice exclusive breastfeeding remains high. This is attributed to various factors, including awareness of breastfeeding's importance, economic challenges, and lack of support for exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusion: Exclusive breastfeeding can provide enough iron for infants for the first four to six months to avoid IDA. However, to continue preventing IDA after six months of age, supplemental foods that include iron are crucial. Support from various parties is essential to promoting and increasing exclusive breastfeeding.
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