Iron needs and deficiency risks in infants and toddlers
What it found
Delaying cord clamping lowers the chance of low iron in babies, while giving extra iron to pregnant women did not improve their children's iron levels.
There is not enough proof to recommend iron drops for all healthy European babies born at a normal weight.
What they found
Studies in people
Pregnancy iron supplements
Giving extra iron to pregnant women did not lead to better iron levels in their babies in European studies.
Delayed cord clamping
Waiting longer before cutting the umbilical cord lowers the chance that a baby will run short on iron.
Other findings
Formula iron amounts
Babies fed formula up to 6 months old should get versions with added iron. The recommended amount is 4 to 8 mg per litre, which works out to 0.6 to 1.2 mg per kg of body weight each day.
Small birth weight babies
Babies born weighing between 2000 and 2500 g should get daily iron drops. The suggested dose is 1 to 2 mg for every kg they weigh each day.
Cow's milk limits
Plain cow's milk should not be the main drink for babies under 12 months old. For toddlers, intake should stay below 500 mL a day.
Solid foods from 6 months
From 6 months of age, all babies and toddlers should eat foods rich in iron. This includes meat or foods with iron added to them.
What the authors conclude
- They advise against routine iron drops for healthy European babies and toddlers born at a normal weight.
- They recommend that formula-fed babies receive iron-fortified formula and that all infants eat iron-rich foods from 6 months onward.
- They stress that this dietary guidance must reach families at higher risk, including those with lower incomes or immigrant backgrounds.
How it was done
Low iron is the most common nutrient shortage worldwide, and young children need a lot of it because they grow so fast. The authors wanted to gather what is known and offer guidance on how much iron babies and toddlers need.
The authors reviewed existing research on iron needs in infants and toddlers. They focused on children born at normal weight as well as those born slightly small. Their goal was to create practical feeding recommendations based on that evidence.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This work gathers past research rather than running a new trial, so it cannot prove cause and effect on its own.
- Some advice is based on limited evidence, meaning scientists do not yet know the exact best iron level for follow-on formulas.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Umeå University, The Netherlands
The paper
- Title
- Iron requirements of infants and toddlers
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Domellöf M, Braegger C, Campoy C, et al (2014). Iron requirements of infants and toddlers. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000000206PubMed 24135983DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error