Care for our children – meet their iron needs

DID YOU know that iron is the world’s most abundant element, yet 43 per cent of the world’s children suffer from iron deficiency? Reducing iron deficiency is of critical importance, as low iron levels in infants can lead to a number of challenges in later life, including lower IQ, poor visual-motor integration and poor motor function.

The good news is that breastfed babies have sufficient iron for the first six months of life. However, at six months, the proper introduction of solid foods, in addition to breast milk, is key to ensuring that children’s iron needs continue to be adequately met.

Foods such as puréed meats; poultry; dark, green, leafy vegetables; peas and fruit can help your infants and children six months and older get adequate iron. However, sometimes the iron in these foods may not be very well absorbed. To combat this, Nestlé has fortified NESTUM infant cereal to provide babies with 50 per cent of their daily iron needs from two servings.

If your baby/child shows any of the signs below, then he or she may have iron deficiency and you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider:

Looks pale.

Has poor weight gain. Has low appetite. Is frequently irritable without. apparent cause.

Research has shown that even after the anaemia in infants has been corrected, they may have permanent developmental impairment. Indeed, with iron deficiency, the old saying is true, ‘Prevention is better than cure’.