Iron for Children: Needs, Foods & Proper Supply
Children grow, learn, move a lot, and experience new impressions every day. For the body to support this development well, it needs various nutrients. One of them is iron.
Iron contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Furthermore, iron contributes to normal oxygen transport in the body, normal energy metabolism, and normal immune system function. Especially during growth phases, in everyday school life, or with a one-sided diet, it can therefore be beneficial to consciously keep an eye on children's iron supply.
Why do children need iron?
Iron is a trace element that the body cannot produce itself. It must therefore be regularly absorbed through food. Iron is particularly important because it is involved in the formation of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red blood pigment that transports oxygen in the body.
As children grow, their nutrient needs increase. The body forms new cells, muscles develop, the brain works intensively, and the immune system is challenged daily. Iron also plays a role in cell division and is therefore particularly important during growth phases.
Recommended daily iron intake according to EFSA
The EFSA provides reference values for daily iron intake. These values help parents to better classify the needs according to age. According to EFSA, the reference values are:
- 11 mg per day for infants aged 7 to 11 months
- 7 mg per day for children aged 1 to 6 years
- 11 mg per day for children aged 7 to 11 years
- 11 mg per day for boys aged 12 to 17 years
- 13 mg per day for girls aged 12 to 17 years
These values also explain why girls in puberty may have a higher iron requirement. With the onset of menstruation, the need changes, and iron suddenly becomes an important topic for many families.
How to recognize low iron supply?
A low iron status can manifest itself differently in children. Typical signs can include fatigue, pale skin, reduced resilience, difficulty concentrating, or altered performance. Children who are very picky eaters or consume only a few iron-rich foods can also quickly fall into an unfavorable supply situation.
What should parents look out for?
Important: Individual symptoms do not automatically mean an iron deficiency. They can have many causes. Nevertheless, it can be useful to consciously consider the diet and iron status if fatigue, severe paleness, or noticeable exhaustion persist for a longer period.
Which children have a higher iron requirement?
An increased need can arise especially during intensive growth phases. These include infancy, school age, and puberty. Adolescents who do a lot of sports can also have a higher nutrient requirement.
Iron is also particularly relevant for children who eat little meat, are vegetarian or vegan, or have very unbalanced eating habits. Plant-based iron sources are valuable, but are often absorbed differently by the body than iron from animal foods.
In girls, an additional need can arise with the first menstruation. Especially with heavier bleeding, iron can play a greater role in everyday life.
Iron-rich foods for children
A good basis is always a balanced diet. Iron is found in both animal and plant foods. Good sources of iron include:
- Spinach and broccoli from plant sources
- Lentils, beans, and chickpeas
- Oat flakes and whole grain products
- Meat and fish
- Pumpkin seeds and sesame
- Dried apricots
- Fortified cereal products
A practical tip for iron absorption
Vitamin C can support iron absorption from plant-based foods. Therefore, it makes sense to combine iron-rich meals with fruit or vegetables. For example, oatmeal with berries, lentils with peppers, or whole grain bread with some fresh vegetables.
What makes iron absorption difficult
Some foods and drinks can negatively affect iron absorption if consumed directly with an iron-rich meal. These include, for example, black tea, green tea, coffee, or very calcium-rich foods in direct combination.
For children, coffee is naturally not an issue, but tea, dairy products, and very unbalanced meals can be relevant in everyday life. Therefore, it makes sense to make iron-rich dishes as varied as possible and combine them with vitamin C-containing foods.
Baby Kids Eisen Care: Liquid Iron for Children
Baby Kids Eisen Care is a liquid iron supplement specifically developed for babies, children, and adolescents. It contains iron in the form of iron glycinate, an organic iron compound considered to be well-tolerated and bioavailable. The drops have a mild apple flavor and are easy to dose.
The drop form is particularly practical because it allows for age-appropriate dosing. The drops can be given directly into the mouth or stirred into some water, juice, or porridge. For infants, they can be added to a lukewarm, not hot, bottle or some boiled water.
Recommended intake
- Infants from 4 to under 12 months: 5 drops daily
- Children from 1 to under 7 years: 5 drops daily
- Children from 7 to under 10 years: 6 to 7 drops daily
- Boys from 10 to under 13 years: 8 drops daily
- Girls from 10 to under 13 years: 10 drops daily
- Boys from 13 to under 15 years: 8 drops daily
- Girls from 13 to under 15 years: 10 drops daily
Baby Kids Eisen Care
Baby-Kids Eisen Care is a liquid iron supplement especially for babies, children, and adolescents. It supports energy, the immune system, and blood formation during phases of growth, school, and everyday life – in the form of mild-tasting drops with an apple flavor that are very easy to dose.
✔ Liquid iron as well-tolerated iron glycinate – ideal for children
✔ Supports energy, immune system, and the normal formation of red blood cells
✔ Child-friendly taste through natural apple extract, lightly sweetened with stevia
✔ Very economical: 1200 drops per bottle, finely dosable by age
Frequently Asked Questions about Iron for Children
Why is iron important for children?
Iron contributes to the normal formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin. It also supports normal oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and the normal function of the immune system. This is particularly important for children because growth, school, movement, and development demand a lot of energy every day.
Which foods contain iron?
Iron is found in lentils, beans, chickpeas, oatmeal, whole grain products, meat, fish, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, and dried apricots, among others. A combination of animal and plant sources is optimal.
How can iron absorption be supported?
Vitamin C-containing foods can support iron absorption from plant sources. Therefore, combinations such as oatmeal with berries, lentils with peppers, or whole grain bread with fresh vegetables are useful. At the same time, tea and coffee should be consumed at a different time than iron-rich meals.
Who is Baby Kids Eisen Care suitable for?
Baby Kids Eisen Care was developed for babies, children, and adolescents. It can be particularly useful when the diet contains few iron-rich foods, during growth phases, or when girls' iron requirements increase with the onset of menstruation.
How are the drops taken?
The drops can be given directly into the mouth or stirred into water, juice, or porridge. For infants, a lukewarm bottle or some boiled water is suitable. One bottle contains approximately 1200 drops and should be stored in the refrigerator.
In which growth phases is iron particularly important?
Iron is important in all growth phases: infancy, school age, and puberty are particularly critical. For girls, the onset of menstruation brings an additional iron requirement, which can be even more pronounced with heavier bleeding.
How can I tell if my child has an iron deficiency?
Typical signs can include fatigue, pale skin, reduced resilience, difficulty concentrating, or altered performance. However, individual symptoms do not automatically mean an iron deficiency. If fatigue or paleness persists for a longer period, a pediatrician should check the iron status.
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