Did you know that babies aged 7-12 months need more iron than an adult male? 

It’s true. The recommended daily intake for iron for an infant is 11mg per day and for an adult male is 9mg per day¹. 

Iron is an essential mineral needed for normal body functioning.  It helps the red blood cells carry oxygen to every cell where it is used to make energy.  Infants are born with enough iron stored in their liver for the first 6 months but after this they need to obtain this from their diet. 

Infants that do not get enough iron can develop iron deficiency anaemia.  This can affect their growth and development if not treated.  Signs of iron deficiency include tiredness, paleness, increased infections and loss of appetite.  

The best source of iron is red meat (beef or lamb).  Other foods that contain some iron are chicken, fish and eggs.  Legumes and leafy green vegetables contain iron, but in a form that is harder for our bodies to absorb.  Some foods are fortified with iron e.g. bread, breakfast cereals. 

Vitamin C, found in fruit and vegetables can help the absorption of iron.  Tannins (found in tea) inhibit the absorption of iron. 

Iron deficiency anaemia can be prevented by: 

• Starting solids around six months 
• Offering iron rich foods.  Look for an infant rice cereal that is fortified with iron as one of your baby’s first foods. 
• Don’t wait for your baby to get teeth before giving them beef or lamb.  Cook the meat until it is moist and then puree.  Your child will be able to chew with their gums.  Choose cuts of meat that are suitable for casseroles and stews e.g. Chuck steak and cook these slowly.  These cuts are higher in connective tissue and will become softer on cooking.  Lean cuts of meat that are designed for quick cooking will result in a chewy, stringy meal that your infant will have trouble managing.   
• Gradually make the texture of your child’s meat and chicken meals more lumpy, then start to include small pieces of meat.  This will teach your infant how to chew and make them more likely to continue to eat meat through their toddler years.  Mince-based dishes and small meatballs are easy choices that can be prepared ahead of time and frozen. 
• Adding some beef or lamb to commercial jars of baby foods can help to boost the protein and iron content. 
• Add fruit to rice cereal and serve vegetables with meat and chicken to add vitamin C to help iron absorption. 
• Do not give your infant tea to drink. 
• Do not give your child cow’s milk as their main milk drink until they are 12 months of age.  Cow’s milk is a poor source or iron and if introduced too early may cause gut bleeding.   
• If your child is vegetarian or vegan it will be difficult for them to obtain enough iron from their diet.  Seeking the advice from a Paediatric Dietitian is recommended. 

Reference:

1. Department of Health and Ageing, National Health and Medical Research Council and Ministry of Health (2005) Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand – Including Recommended Dietary Intakes