Ever wonder why so many cereals and infant formulas are
fortified with iron? Iron is a nutrient that's needed to make
hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells
(RBCs). Red blood cells circulate throughout the body to deliver
oxygen to all its cells. Without enough iron, the body can't
make enough RBCs, and tissues and organs won't get the oxygen
they need. So it's important for kids and teens to get enough
iron in their daily diets. How Much Iron Do Kids Need? Kids
require different amounts of iron at various ages and stages.
Here's how much they should be getting as they grow: Infants who
breastfeed tend to get enough iron from their mothers until 4-6
months of age, when iron-fortified cereal is usually introduced
(although breastfeeding moms should continue to take prenatal
vitamins). Formula-fed infants should receive iron-fortified
formula. Infants ages 7-12 months need 11 milligrams of iron a
day. Babies younger than 1 year should be given iron-fortified
cereal in addition to breast mi