Meeting Iron Requirements
Toddlers should have 7 milligrams of iron each day. After 12 months of age, they’re at risk for
iron deficiency because they no longer drink iron-fortified formula and may not be eating iron-fortified infant cereal or enough other iron-containing foods to make up the difference. To help prevent iron deficiency:
• Limit your child’s milk intake to about 16-24 ounces a day (2 to 3 cups).
• Serve more iron-rich foods (meat, poultry, fish, enriched grains, beans, tofu).
• When serving iron-rich meals, include foods that contain vitamin C (like tomatoes, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries), which improve the body’s iron absorption.
• Continue serving iron-fortified cereal until your child is 18-24 months old.
• Limit your child’s milk intake to about 16-24 ounces a day (2 to 3 cups).
• Serve more iron-rich foods (meat, poultry, fish, enriched grains, beans, tofu).
• When serving iron-rich meals, include foods that contain vitamin C (like tomatoes, broccoli, oranges, and strawberries), which improve the body’s iron absorption.
• Continue serving iron-fortified cereal until your child is 18-24 months old.