Iron is vital for body function. It's especially important for brain development and making new red blood cells to prevent a low red blood cell count (anaemia). Read more about iron.
Iron supplements are used to prevent or treat a lack of iron (iron deficiency). This can cause anaemia. Babies and children with anaemia are often pale and tired. They may not grow and develop properly. Iron supplements help your child to make more haemoglobin and increase their iron stores.
Examples of liquid iron supplements available in Aotearoa New Zealand are Ferodan, Maltofer and Ferro-Liquid. Other products may have iron in them. Tablet forms are available for older children. Read more about iron tablets.
Babies
- In the last few months of pregnancy, your baby stores iron in their body to use after they're born.
- Well-grown, full-term babies have stored enough iron to use until they're 6 months old.
- Premature babies (those who are born early, before 37 weeks) or babies who are small (those who weigh less than 2.5 kg at birth) don't have as much iron stored in their body. What iron they do have is used up during rapid growth periods. They need extra iron to prevent iron deficiency.
- Breast milk contains very little iron.
Children
Low iron in children can be caused by not getting enough iron in their diet, having problems with how their body absorbs iron (eg, in coeliac disease), or from blood loss (eg, in inflammatory bowel disease).
