Iron <3 kids
When we introduce the first food, we learn that iron is important. In this post, we respond to the following:
Why is it important to provide enough iron-rich foods?
In what food do we find iron?
How can you tell if your child has an iron deficiency?
Iron and toddlers
During nine months in the mother's womb, the baby replenishes its iron levels. This means that the baby has enough iron for the first time outside the stomach. The children's iron storage lasts for about 6 months, then it needs to be replenished with iron from outside, in the form of iron-rich food.
Everyone needs enough iron in the body to get oxygen to all the cells in the body. It is especially important for the child when he or she starts with the first food. The iron layer the baby is born with then begins to run out.
As parents, it is nice to know which food to choose so that the child gets some iron-rich food every day.
The reason why there is a great focus on iron for the first time is that iron deficiency is most common in children between 6 months and 2 years. (1)
Iron-rich food
Iron that the body can easily absorb, we find in food from the animal kingdom:
Red meat, liver and egg yolk.
Iron that the body absorbs less efficiently is found in foods from the plant kingdom:
Sesame seeds, oats, lentils, millet, quinoa, beans and apricots.
Iron from the plant kingdom is more easily absorbed by the body together with vitamin C. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits, berries and vegetables. (2) It is best to give something rich in iron every day. Varies with iron-rich foods from the plant kingdom and the animal kingdom.
Here is 7 iron-rich recipes you can use 🙂
Symptoms of iron deficiency
So how do I know if my baby is getting enough iron, you might be thinking? There are some symptoms of iron deficiency that you can look for if you suspect that your child has iron deficiency:
Pale in the skin
Relaxed and tired
Often ill
Do you suspect that your child has an iron deficiency? Contact your doctor.
Factors that can affect
Milk is not recommended as a drink for children under 1 year of age because it inhibits iron absorption from food. (1)
An increased risk of iron deficiency can be if you eat vegetarian or vegan food and your child does not get enough iron from the food.
If your baby is premature. Then the baby has fewer iron stores at birth.
Sources: