Boost iron
Babies are born with their own stores of iron, which they obtain from their mothers during the final months of pregnancy. Most healthy babies, who are full-term and have mothers who have had a healthy pregnancy, have enough iron to last 4 to 6 months. Babies who are of risk of having low iron stores which can lead to iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia, are premature babies, low birth weight babies and babies born to mothers with poorly controlled diabetes, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics. For these babies, iron supplementation may be necessary, under medical supervision.
Low iron levels in babies are common in third world countries, however new research now shows this is also a concern for many babies born in New Zealand.
Iron has various roles in the body, including the transport of oxygen around the body in the blood. If the body lacks iron, there is less oxygen, which then makes it harder for the brain to concentrate, remember and learn. This can have an impact in later life. Lack of iron can also cause tiredness and irritability.
In the past, first foods introduced to babies somewhere between 4 to 6 months, commonly included easily digested foods such as iron-fortified cereals, starchy vegetables and fruit, then eventually poultry and fish. Although iron-fortified cereals and other non-meat sources are usually easily digested, the iron isn’t as absorbable as meat sources, because of phytates which bind to iron and carry it through the digestive tract, unabsorbed. Red meat has the most absorbable iron compared to any other foods. Poultry and fish then follow behind. New research now shows that red meat can be introduced as early as six months, once first tastes are established, to help increase iron levels. Red meat is packed with essential nutrients like iron, zinc, B vitamins and protein, which are all important for growth and development.
The best way to boost iron uptake in babies is to:
- Breastfeed if possible, especially in the first six months. Breastmilk is low in iron but the absorption rate is high. Once iron rich food or iron-fortified formula is introduced into a babies diet, iron absorption reduces due to the increase of dietary intake of iron.
- Once solid foods are started, introduce red meat, poultry and fish, making sure the meat is tender, well cooked and pureed until silky smooth, especially at 6 to 7 months old. This will help ensure easier digestion and better absorption of iron. Braised meats or casseroles are good for this.
- Introduce other iron rich foods, which include offal, iron-fortified baby cereals, whole grains especially quinoa, millet, amaranth and barley, legumes and beans, peas, avocados, dark green vegetables and dried apricots.
- Include vitamin C rich foods like bright coloured fruit and vegetables together with iron rich foods, to enhance iron absorption.
- Supplement with iron if necessary (under medical supervision), for iron deficient and iron deficiency anaemia. For babies eating solids foods, diet would also have to be supervised by a healthcare provider eg nutritionist or dietician, to encourage best iron absorption.
In everyday healthy foods there are natural iron inhibitors like phytic acid (found in most plant foods), egg protein, fibre and minerals eg calcium, zinc, copper and magnesium. These substances normally aren’t a problem for a child with normal iron levels. For children, the most important emphasis should be placed on a healthy varied diet, rather than cutting out certain substances from the diet.
If you think your baby has low iron levels or is deficient, see your GP to confirm this through a blood test. Never give your baby iron supplements unless medically advised. Iron is toxic in large amounts and can be fatal. Also important to note, a breastfeeding baby’s iron level, can’t be increased by its mother taking an iron supplement.
By Cherie Lyden – nutritionist and mother – www.lydenvitality.com.
