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Why iron matters
Iron is needed at every stage of a child's growth. It helps red blood cells carry oxygen, helps make muscle cells, and supports brain development and immune function — in short, a child's ability to grow, pay attention and learn. Enough iron helps prevent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.
Too little iron
Children who don't get enough iron from food or supplements can develop anemia: too few red blood cells, or cells less able to carry oxygen. Anemia has many causes, but in young children a common one is too little iron, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia — and infants and children with it may develop learning difficulties.
How much, and when
All children need iron, but needs differ by how a baby is fed:
- Breast milk only: ask your child's doctor or nurse whether your baby needs iron supplement drops before 6 months.
- Formula only: standard infant formula fortified with iron (12 mg/L) meets a baby's needs for the first 12 months; most commercial formulas sold in the U.S. contain iron.
- Both: talk to your child's doctor or nurse about iron at the next checkup.
Preterm babies may need extra iron beyond what breast milk or formula provides.
Whatever the feeding, once your child starts solid foods at about 6 months, give foods with enough iron.
Iron in food
Food iron comes in two forms:
| Heme iron | Non-heme iron | |
|---|---|---|
| Found in | animal foods | plants and iron-fortified products |
| Absorbed | more easily | less easily — meeting a baby's needs from these alone takes careful planning |
| Examples | red meat (beef, pork, lamb, goat, venison), seafood such as fatty fish, poultry, eggs | iron-fortified infant cereals, tofu, beans and lentils, dark green leafy vegetables |
Serving non-heme iron with foods high in vitamin C helps a baby absorb it: citrus such as oranges, broccoli or cabbage, berries, papaya, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.
Screening for anemia
At about 12 months, your child's doctor or nurse will likely test for anemia. Some children need more iron than others, so talk to the doctor or nurse about iron at your child's next checkup. The NIH has a consumer fact sheet on iron.
Sources
Based on "Iron," Infant and Toddler Nutrition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain. A stock photograph is not reproduced.
Лицензия: CC0 1.0 (общественное достояние) · По материалам www.cdc.gov
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