i had a baby born at 27 weeks and he had a bit of trouble keeping his hemagloebin up he was lethagic with his feeding and his breathingand was very pale and they don't get the saturations(o2) they need.they tried iron suppliments first and then this failed and they checked me and his father for crossmatch compatability.the they just hook bub up to intravenous drip similar to the fluids they pump through any of us.they will keep an eye on bubs colour and temp and other things so that bub does not have a reaction.i must stress that this is is avery slim chance as they check the blood so many times (many times) before they give bub the blood.the blood runs through and it's overit's quite amazing really you can see their colour change as the blood tranfuses.some baby's need alittle help with their iron as they cannot chew on a big steak (this is how the nurse sxplained it to me!!)they will be back to normal feeding in a day or so.

do you know for fact that your bub is anemic ? they will be paler than usual and lethargic in all movements as in feeding and breathing etc .what happens?if they are anemic enought hey will just need ablood transfusion.they will see if any one in the family is compatible (bubs mum and dad).then go to blood bank.they will then transfuse and keep an eye on his temp and colouring and heartrate this is beacause there is the slightest chance that they can have a reaction but they are very careful witht he cross matching and this is extremely rare.the bag empties and it's all over just like a bag of fluid going through you..not much to it really.the nurses know what they are doing.i had a baby at 27 weeks and he needed 2 transfusions during his 4 month stay at neo natal nursery.they just can't absorb (if that the right term can't remember!!) the iron and some babies need a little boost.hope this helps!

If you have an anemic baby it would be best to talk to the paediatrician.  Anemia can be caused by a number of different things.  It is something that needs to be evaluated.  If it is severe it will require a trip to the hospital.  A small blood test is done if thought necessary and that will show the red blood cell count.  From that count, the doctor will decide the best treatment.

My daughter was found to be anemic at about three weeks.  She was also jaundiced from birth onwards, so it was hard to notice in her colour.  She was very sleepy and had trouble feeding.  They took very a small amount of blood and decided to give her a blood transfusion.  This was done at PMH the childrens hospital in Perth. It was a bit unpleasant but the results were amazing.  Immediately her colour improved and she was alert and feed much better.

I do know of babies with mild anemia who were feed iron fortified formula or iron supplements who were able to regain a normal blood count.

Unfortunately my duaghter had a blood disorder and  had a few more recurrences of severe anemia.  These required more transfusions.  She is now 21 years old and very  healthy.  She has no recollection of the treatments that saved her life.

If you think your baby is severely anemic, please see a doctor as it can affect their ability to breath.  

I hope all goes well.