Boosting your baby's iron intake
When your baby reaches six months of age, his or her iron reserves may become depleted. Thus, iron from food, such as breast milk and/or iron-fortified formula and iron-rich weaning foods are important to prevent iron deficiency.
The following are practical ways of boosting your baby's iron intake:
• Meat, liver, chicken and fish are good sources of iron.
o When cooking porridge for your baby, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of minced liver or meat for an iron boost.
• Dried fruits such as raisins and pruness are good sources of iron.
o Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of minced dried raisins or prunes into cooked cereals for additional iron, fibre and a natural sweet taste.
• Vitamin C from fruits help to increase the absorption of iron from vegetables and beans.
o Offer your baby some vitamin C -rich fruits such as a tablespoon of mashed papaya or 1/3 cup of fresh orange juice at the end of the meal