Iron for Your Baby

How to Ensure Your Baby is Getting the Iron they Need

Remember all those leafy greens you forced yourself to eat during pregnancy? There’s a reason doctors insist you eat your spinach and kale. It’s essential for your growing baby!

Baby Iron Requirements

Once they are born, babies still need plenty of iron. Breast milk doesn’t contain a lot of iron, but it has a really high absorption rate so—with some exceptions, like premies who may need a supplement—your baby should have all the iron they need for the first six months. But from 7-12 months, babies need 11mg of iron every day—even more than an adult male!

It’s so important because it’s the mineral that carries oxygen through the body—essential for brain development, helping babies retain all the new things they learn each day. Not enough of it will make your little one tired, pale-looking and irritable.

Best Sources of Iron for Babies

You might be surprised to know, the best way to give your baby iron is through meat! So many moms worry that meat is hard for babies to digest, but the fact is it’s easier for babies to digest meat than grains! Celiac disease and other grain intolerances occur in so many people, but how many people do you know who are allergic to meat?

There are more meat options than ever for baby, and with a little time and effort you can make your own. Boiling is the best way to prepare meat for baby because it adds nice moisture. Blend the boiled meat in a food processor with a little breastmilk, water or formula—the more liquid, the finer the purée.

Learn more about iron, or check out some of our iron-rich Baby Gourmet products.

Jennifer House, Registered Dietitician

firststepnutrition.com