Iron Needs of Babies and Children

Iron is a mineral babies and children need for good health and development. Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to every cell in the body, and iron is what our bodies need to make it — it's also what gives red blood cells their colour. Without enough iron, red blood cells become small and pale and can't carry enough oxygen to the body's organs and muscles. This is called anaemia.

What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?

Babies and children need iron for their brains to develop normally. Iron-deficient babies may be less physically active and develop more slowly, and may show slow weight gain, pale skin, no appetite, and irritability. In older children, low iron can affect school performance by making it hard to concentrate and causing tiredness and weakness.

How much iron do babies and children need?

Full-term babies are born with an iron reserve from their mother's blood in the womb. For the first 6 months, breastfed babies get what they need from breast milk — but waiting too long after 6 months to introduce other foods raises the risk of iron deficiency. If breastfeeding isn't an option, use a store-bought iron-fortified, cow's-milk-based infant formula for the first 12 months. Once babies start solids, the recommended daily amount of iron depends on age: 11 mg for 7–12 months, 7 mg for 1–3 years, 10 mg for 4–8 years, 8 mg for 9–13 years, and 11 mg (boys) or 15 mg (girls) for 14–18 years.

What foods are good sources of iron?

There are two types: heme iron, more easily absorbed and found in meats, and non-heme iron, from plant sources like legumes, vegetables and cereals. Iron-rich foods include beef, lamb, veal, liver, chicken and turkey; fish; eggs; iron-fortified cereals, whole grain and enriched breads, pasta and rice; and legumes (chickpeas, lentils, dried peas and beans) and vegetables (spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green peas, beans). Pairing these with a good source of vitamin C — oranges, tomatoes, red peppers — helps the body absorb the iron, for example serving an iron-fortified cereal with orange slices, or topping spaghetti with a meat and tomato sauce.

Is cow's milk a good source of iron?

No — even though cow's milk has about as much iron as human milk, the body doesn't absorb it well. Make sure your baby is getting other sources of iron and vitamin C before introducing whole cow's milk, and wait until 9–12 months to introduce it. Drinking too much cow's milk can actually lead to iron deficiency.

Should I give my child an iron supplement?

Full-term babies who are breastfed, or who get iron-fortified infant formula from birth, do not need an iron supplement. Preterm babies should get a supplement from around 8 weeks old until their first birthday — talk to your doctor about the right amount. Children over a year old don't need a supplement unless they aren't eating enough iron-rich foods — talk to your child's doctor if you think this may be the case.