As a parent, your child’s health is your primary concern. While breast milk and formula both provide the foundation for a healthy diet from the start, over time, you may find that your little one requires supplemental nutrients to keep his or her body as healthy as can be. Of these supplements, iron is one of the most common.
Why Do Babies Need Iron
Iron does two important jobs. First, it helps the lungs disperse oxygen all throughout your baby’s body. Second, it assists his or her muscles in using and storing all that indispensable oxygen. Without enough iron, your little one’s body runs the risk of anemia and/or negative effects on growth and development.
How To Increase Iron in Babies
Iron deficiency can be common in children. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to increase your baby’s iron intake.
- Go easy on cow’s milk: Limit milk consumption for kids age 5 and under to 24 ounces or less each day.
- Provide plenty of foods that are rich in iron: Once your little one starts solids, make a conscious effort to offer iron-rich foods every day, such as pureed meats and beans and iron-fortified cereal.
- Use vitamin C to aid absorption: Serve citrus fruits, strawberries, dark green veggies and bell peppers to help those tiny bodies absorb the iron from the food they’re consuming.
- Take a supplement: Adding an organic iron supplement, such as Wellements Organic Iron Drops, is a no-muss, no-fuss way to make sure your child gets all the iron he or she needs to thrive.
Wellements Organic Iron Drops (Benefits & Ingredients)
Nursing mothers can provide their breastfed babies with all the iron they need for the first four months of their lives. (Way to go, Mom!) After that, breastfed babies often need an iron supplement. Wellements Organic Iron Drops are a safe way to provide this nutritional boost. They’re created using iron hydroxide polysaccharide complex, an iron source recommended by pediatricians.
Beyond that, they contain only four additional ingredients: filtered water, citric acid, organic glycerin and organic cherry flavor. The end result? Delicious and nutritious drops that are gentle on tiny tummies.
What’s more, Wellements Organic Iron Drops are completely free from:
- Dyes
- Parabens
- Artificial colors
- Artificial flavors
- Alcohol
- Preservatives
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Soy
How To Give Your Baby Iron Drops
Before each use, be sure to give your Wellements Organic Iron Drops a good shake. Fill the dispenser to the 1-mL line, and then administer it slowly, aiming the dispenser toward the inside of your baby’s cheek. If your little one’s mouth appears discolored afterward, don’t worry! It’s completely normal, totally temporary and often makes for a hilarious photo to send to Grandma.
Once you’re done, be sure to wash and dry the dispenser and store your Wellements Organic Iron Drops in the fridge because they don’t contain any preservatives. They’ll be good to go for up to four months after opening.
Iron Deficiency Signs in Babies & Children
How do you know if your baby or toddler needs an iron supplement? There are a variety of symptoms to watch out for:
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Pale complexion
- Rapid breathing
- Cold hands and feet
- Frequent infections
- Slow growth
- Behavior issues
- Cravings for dirt, ice, paint or similar non-food substances
If you spot any of these signs in your little one, your first move should be to speak with his or her pediatrician and discuss the possibility of an iron deficiency.
An iron-rich diet is fundamental to your child’s healthy growth and development, and while iron deficiency is common, it’s also easy to remedy. Organic iron drops are a safe and convenient way to ensure your little one gets his or her recommended dose of this essential nutrient every day.