Iron-Rich Foods for Babies: What to Feed
Is your baby getting the right amount of iron rich foods? Every mother must be wondering. After 6 months, you may be worried about how and through what means to give iron to your baby. After 6 months, the baby's appetite increases. He does not depend only on breast milk. To fulfill his physical needs, he has to start giving more food. For example, initially, considering the baby's digestive system, he starts giving him rice porridge and dal water. Since the baby's stomach is small in size, it is important to get maximum nutrients from the least amount of food. Iron is one of the nutrients.
How Iron-Rich Food Supports Baby’s Brain, Growth & Energy level
Iron plays a very important role in the physical and mental development of a baby after 6 months. For
an example,
🧠 1. Brain Development
Iron is the basic element that produces red blood cells in our body. It is because of blood that all the
organs in our body are supplied with the right amount of oxygen and therefore the growth of brain cells
is good. And if the same thing happens the other way around, due to lack of iron, the blood is not
produced in the right amount, due to which the supply of oxygen will decrease, as a result, such a child's
memory may decrease, they cannot focus on one thing, their learning speed also slows down, them
physical activity decreases, they feel very tired, and they sleep constantly.
Iron isn’t just a nutrient — it’s a building block for your baby’s healthy development. Here’s why it matters
so much, especially in the first year:
Iron helps carry oxygen to the brain. Without enough oxygen, brain cells can’t grow or connect the way they
should. Studies show that low iron in infancy can affect memory, attention span, and learning later in life.
2. Physical Development -
Iron is used to produce red blood cells. Therefore, the more iron, the better the blood supply. And as
a result, the growth of cells in the body also occurs in a good and healthy way.
3. Energy and Immunity Power-
If there is a deficiency of iron, then at that time children do not play much, they are quiet and sit in
one place, they constantly feel tired, sleepy. Such children are not restless. This also affects their immune
system. Due to lack of iron, children often fall sick. They constantly suffer from diseases like cold, cough,
fever.
What Happens If Baby Doesn’t Get Enough Iron?
Common signs include:
Tiredness or low energy
Pale skin
Poor appetite
Slower weight gain
Less interest in play or interaction
If left untreated, anemia can affect a baby’s brain development, behavior, and immune system.
🥩 Best Iron-Rich Foods for Babies
🐔 Animal-Based (Heme Iron)
Chicken (dark meat)
Beef/lamb (minced or pureed)
Liver (small amounts)
Egg yolks
Fish (salmon, tuna – fully cooked & soft)
🌱 Plant-Based (Non-Heme Iron)
Lentils
Beans
Chickpeas
Tofu
Spinach, kale (cooked & blended)
Quinoa
Oats
Pumpkin seeds (ground)
🍓 Vitamin C Boosters (to serve with iron)
Citrus fruits (tomatoes, strawberries)
Broccoli
kiwi
READ MORE: "Cluster Feeding”- “Is Your Baby Feeding Non-Stop"
1. Which fruits are rich in iron?
Ans. Dried fruits like apricots, prunes, dates, pomegranates are highly iron rich fruits. And dried coconut also has the iron rich properties, but it is difficult give our little one.
