The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) new iron intake guidelines may have left a lot of parents scratching their heads in confusion. Iron is indeed a vital nutrient for healthy baby development; and although iron deficiency has decreased significantly over the past several decades the AAP’s new guideline is meant to decrease rates even rates even further.
The Stats
In the early 1970’s, iron began being added to infant formulas, cereals, and other foods. This fortification nearly diminished iron deficiency and subsequent iron deficiency anemia. In the US, iron deficiency currently affects about 4% of 6 month olds, 12% of 12 month olds, and between 6.5- 15% of toddlers aged 1-3 years. Rates vary depending on race and socioeconomic status; and preterm infants along with exclusively breastfed babies are at higher risk.
Iron Functions
The body needs iron to make hemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood to the cells in the body. It is also responsible for the bright, red color of red blood cells so when the cells become pale and small from insufficient iron intake, the result is iron deficiency anemia. Babies, in particular, need iron for healthy brain development and a deficiency can result in learning difficulties later in life.
Breastfeeding
So, should this change your thoughts on breastfeeding? No, absolutely not! Breastfeeding is one of the greatest gifts you can give your baby, and yourself as the health benefits for both mom and baby are overwhelming. A healthy, full term baby has enough iron stores for about 4-6 months and the amount of iron stores is directly related to a mother’s iron intake during pregnancy. Conversely, however, a mother’s intake of iron during breastfeeding will not increase her baby’s iron stores. Adding an iron supplement for breastfed babies is a highly debated subject amongst the breastfeeding community because having too much iron can be equally as dangerous as having too little and the amount of breastfed babies that are iron deficient is actually very small. Comparatively, the absorption rate of iron in breast milk is about 49%, about 7% from infant formula, and 4% from iron fortified cereals. The key is to talk to your doctor and have your baby’s hemoglobin checked before you start supplementing.
Supplementation
The same goes for breastfed or formula fed babies – talk to your healthcare provider before you give your child a supplement. The AAP explains that babies on an iron fortified infant formula do not need a supplement, and that at 6 months all babies can be started on an iron fortified infant cereal. The table below indicates iron needs during the lifecycles in the US and Canada:
| RECOMMENDED DAILY IRON INTAKE (RDI) | CANADA (RNI) | |
| Infants 6-12 months | 11mg* | |
| Toddlers, 1-3 years | 7mg* | .3-6mg |
| Children, 3-10 years | 10 mg | 8-10 |
| Teen males | 12 mg | 8-10mg |
| Adults males | 10 mg | 8-10mg |
| Teen and adult females | 18 mg | 8-13mg |
| Pregnant women | 30 mg | 17-22mg |
| Nursing females | 15mg | 8-13 |
| *Part of the AAP New Guidelines | ||
Tags: AAP guidelines, breastfeeding, iron intake
