| Age group | Dietary recommendations | Comments |
| Infants | Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for 4 to 6 months. | - Breastmilk has low levels of iron (0.3 to 1 mg/L), but with high bioavailability
|
| For breastfed infants, introduce an iron supplement by 4 months for term infants or by 2 weeks for premature infants. Continue supplements until sufficient iron is provided through complementary foods. | - Term infants: Elemental iron 1 mg/kg/day (maximum 15 mg)
- Premature infants: Elemental iron 2 to 4 mg/kg/day (maximum 15 mg)
|
| Infant formula (if used) should be iron-fortified (>6.7 mg/L of iron). | - Low-iron formulas should not be used
|
| Introduce iron-rich complementary foods between 4 and 6 months. | - Iron sufficient for needs is provided by 2 servings/day of iron-fortified infant cereal
- Pureed meats are also good sources of iron
- Encourage 1 serving/day of foods rich in vitamin C (such as citrus fruits, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, and dark green vegetables) to enhance iron absorption
|
| Avoid unmodified (nonformula) cow's milk until 12 months of age. | - Unmodified cow's milk increases intestinal blood loss in infants as compared with formula feeding or breast feeding
|
| 1 to 5 years | Limit cow's milk to no more than 20 oz (600 mL) daily. | - The risk of iron deficiency increases in young children drinking more than 24 oz of milk per day
|
| Encourage at least 3 servings/day of iron-rich foods. | - Examples include fortified breakfast cereal, 3 oz of meat, or 4 oz of tofu
|
