WHY IS IRON SO IMPORTANT FOR WEANING BABIES AND PREGNANT MUMS?

For babies iron is necessary for brain development and cognitive function as well as to prevent anaemia which can impact energy levels and growth

Babies are born with sufficient iron reserves for the first six months of life – they come from mum’s diet and reserves so it is important to ensure you eat enough iron-rich foods in pregnancy.

After six months, baby’s need to get iron from their diet, this is particularly important for breastfed babies as breast milk contains very little iron in comparison to formula.

Also note that cow’s milk is low in iron and it can interfere with how well you baby absorbs of iron. Babies’ guts are relatively immature at 4-6 months of age and having cow’s milk as main drink can irritate the intestine walls, causing bleeding and malabsorption.

Iron rich foods include proteins like red meat or pulses to be introduced from 7 months, as well as green vegetables like broccoli and spinach that can be introduced earlier.

Just remember that vitamin C increases absorption from non-animal iron sources so please don’t boil your veggies – gently steam them, especially those rich in iron, to preserve their vitamin C!