Anaemia in Babies

Anemia occurs if the number of red blood cells is lower than normal, or the red blood cells don't contain enough hemoglobin, the iron-containing pigment that carries oxygen around the body.

Your baby is born with a store of iron he builds up during the last few months of your pregnancy, and it lasts up to around for to six months – at this point you’ll likely wean him and he’ll get the iron he needs from solids. Preemies, however, often don’t have this store because they’ve been born too soon to accumulate it. And babies who are switched to drinking cows’ milk too soon can develop anemia because cows’ milk is low in iron and interferes with the absorption of iron from food.

Your baby is most likely to get anemia during periods of rapid growth, and your pediatrician will screen him for signs between nine and 12 months. If he is anemic he may have symptoms such as paleness, a poor appetite and a rapid heartbeat but often babies exhibit no symptoms. Rarely, untreated anemia could cause mental and physical impairment and iron deficiency can make your child more vulnerable to lead poisoning.

Protect your baby by breastfeeding him or giving iron-fortified formula until he’s 12 months old and don’t switch to cows’ milk before this. Once he’s weaned give him iron-rich foods (lean red meat, leafy green vegetables, eggs and beans) and vitamin C-rich fruit, as vitamin C helps the body better absorb iron from food.

If your baby was born prematurely, or his iron count is particularly low, your pediatrician may recommend an iron supplement. Don’t give this without your pediatrician’s approval, as iron can build up in the body and is toxic in large amounts. For this reason it’s very important that any iron supplements your child or you take are stored out of reach.

The information on this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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