How Much Iron is in the Food I Feed my Baby
For both formula fed and breastfed healthy full-term infants, iron stores are well maintained up until the 6-7 month age mark when the iron stores may then begin to deplete. Babies who are formula fed are seldom at risk for iron deficiencies due to the high amount of iron in iron-fortified formulas. Infants who are exclusively breastfed are also seldom at risk for iron deficient anemia especially if the baby does not begin solid foods earlier than 6 months old.
Introducing solids too early to baby may actually hinder the iron levels in the baby; most often this is related to breastfed babies. If a baby is exclusively breastfed, then baby is getting all the iron needed up to about the 6–9 month mark.
“Most breastfeeding babies do not need any water, vitamins, or iron in addition to breast milk for at least the first 6 months. Human milk provides all the fluids and nutrients a baby needs to be healthy. By about 6 months of age, however, you should start to introduce your infant to baby foods that contain iron. Your pediatrician may prescribe Vitamin D or Iron supplement if there is a need for it.” American Academy of Pediatrics. A Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding” AAP Breastfeeding Guide
You will not be able to “fortify” homemade baby cereals the way commercial cereals are fortified. Other than commercial baby cereal, jarred baby food is not fortified with iron. There are many things you may add to the cereals that will give an “iron boost” such as formula, breast milk, wheat germ, and brewer’s yeast to name a few. Once you have introduced fruits and veggies along with the cereals, you will get Vitamin C which helps to aid in the absorption of iron.
How Much Iron is in the Food I Feed my Baby? See How Much Iron is in 1 Tablespoon of the following common baby foods:
(there is approximately 14.23 grams in 1 tablespoon) Compiled from the UDSA Nutrient Database
Broccoli: .09 mg
Sweet Potato: .10mg
Beef: .36 mg
Chicken: .15 mg (light meat) .19 mg (dark meat)
Egg Yolk: .38 mg
Commercial baby cereals are highly processed and nutrients, including any hint of iron, are stripped in the processing and then added back in. The iron that is found in commercial baby cereals is not as easily absorbed as that which is natural in foods.
“Iron deficiency is rarely seen in breastfed babies during the first six months of life. Iron is present in your milk. Although human milk does not contain large amounts of iron, it is very well absorbed. Approximately 50 percent of the iron in mother’s milk is absorbed, compared to only a 7 percent absorption from formula, and a 4 percent absorption from infant cereals (Dallman 1986). Since a full-term baby’s iron stores begin to diminish around six months of age, solid foods can help to meet your baby’s increased need for iron and protein at that time.” Debbi Donovan – Director of ParentsPlace.com and also a Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Parent’s Place Lactation Consultant
Related posts
Diet and Nutrition for babies through the age groups
Breast milk is the best food for babies. The mother’s milk has all the requirements for the baby to grow in the first six months. Even if the mother...
Newborn babies do just fine with formula or breast milk; drinking water is not recommended until about six-12 months (too much water can cause jaundic...
As far as feeding the solids, we started with rice cereal and added veggies,then fruits, a new food every 3-5 days. It's convienent and satisfactory t...
You can't eat real processed cheese food (cheese spread or cheese food) because it contains some colby and cheddar cheese along with additional milk...
Nutrition is profoundly influenced by social, cultural and economic factors. Lack of time and resources, inappropriate dietary patterns, trying to lo...
