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Iron - Baby 6 to 9 Months |
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Introduction
The aim of this diet is to provide adequate iron for your baby as you introduce solids and as its own stores of iron begin to be depleted.
Diet tips
1. At 6 to 9 months, baby will progress from very soft, pureed foods to more lumpy textured foods. It is important to include foods with plenty of easily absorbed iron as they can only manage small amounts at any one time.
2. The iron found in meat is most easily absorbed and two tablespoons will provide about 25% of their daily iron needs. Fortified cereals are another good source: 3 tablespoons provide another 25%, although this is not as well absorbed.
3. FOR SMOOTH TEXTURE: Blend well-cooked meat in a blender with vegetable stock, formula, breast milk or water. It should be moist and very smooth when you first introduce it to baby's diet. Freeze leftovers in icecube trays so they can be quickly heated as needed.
4. FOR LUMPY TEXTURE: Chop grilled or roast meat very finely and mix with moist, mashed vegetables. Use well-cooked mince mixed with gravy. Chop casserole meats very finely and mix with mashed potato.
Notes
1. These are guidelines only. All babies vary in their developmental stages and eating patterns. If you are not successful the first time you introduce a new food into their diet, leave it for a while and try again.
2. Iron is an essential nutrient for baby's growth since iron is part of the blood stream which carries oxygen to the tissues to provide the energy for growth.
3. Meat juices and gravy are not a reliable source of iron but are useful for adding to pureed meats and chicken to give the correct texture for baby.
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