Already from around 6 months of age, babies need foods that contain iron. Baby formula is usually iron-fortified, while breastmilk contains very little iron.
In any case, once your child has started to eat solid foods, it is good to make sure that some of the foods are high in iron.
WHY DO CHILDREN NEED IRON?
Iron is important to avoid iron deficiency – mild or severe anemia. This is because iron helps the body to produce red blood cells – which in turn are needed for the blood to transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Iron is also important for brain development – insufficient iron intake has been found to be connected to behavioral issues later on in life.
On the other hand, too much iron can lead to nausea, diarrhea, and tummy pain. A very high intake can even be poisonous.
“Very high”, would, however, mean giving your child iron supplements, which is something you should never do without a recommendation from a pediatrician. Also, make sure your curious toddler or child can’t reach and open your own supplement bottles if you have any!
AT WHAT AGE DO CHILDREN NEED IRON-RICH FOODS?
The thing is; children need iron-rich foods throughout their whole childhood, from 6 months of age and up.
Babies do need iron already from birth, but the little iron that is in the breastmilk is enough during their first months of living. Formula-fed babies also get enough iron as long as the formula is iron-fortified. (Do check that, to be sure!)
Why 6 months is a breaking point is because at around this age, a breastfed baby will have used up the iron stored in the baby’s body while still in the womb.
HOW MUCH IRON DOES MY CHILD NEED?
The recommended iron intake varies slightly in different countries. While this can be confusing, it can also be comforting – the exact amount is not very important! The following are the recommendations by age in the US (SOURCE):
|
AGE GROUP |
THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF IRON A DAY |
|
7 – 12 months |
11 mg |
|
1 – 3 years |
7 mg |
|
4 – 8 years |
10 mg |
|
9 – 13 years |
8 mg |
|
14 – 18 years, girls |
15 mg |
|
14 – 18 years, boys |
11 mg |
SYMPTOMS OF IRON DEFICIENCY IN CHILDREN
Most symptoms of iron deficiency will not show until the child really has a deficiency. There are no real “early warnings”.
Some of the symptoms are that the child is very tired, pale, get ill often, has cold hands and feet, rapid breathing, and behavior problems. An interesting symptom is something called pica, which involves unusual cravings for substances like paint and dirt.
Children at risk for iron deficiency are e.g:
● Premature babies or those with a low birth weight
● Babies who drink cow’s milk or goat’s milk before the age of 1-year-old
● Breastfed babies who aren’t given complementary foods containing iron after age 6 months
● Babies who drink formula that isn’t fortified with iron
● Children ages 1 to 5 who drink substantial amounts (24 ounces/7 dl) of cow’s milk, goat’s milk or soy milk a day
● Children who have been exposed to lead
● Children who don’t eat enough iron-rich foods
● Children who are overweight or obese
So, as you can see, iron deficiency is to a large extent avoidable, by serving the right kind of foods to your child.
If you are worried, make sure to consult a doctor. Iron deficiency can easily be detected in a blood test.
Post time: Sep-29-2022
