Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • ?
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Cancer and Blood Diseases/Iron Deficiency Anemia in Toddlers and Growing Children

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Toddlers and Growing Children

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Toddlers and Growing Children
August 12, 2020
0 Comments
By: Lisa Littner, MPH, LISW

Having kids eat a balanced, nutritious diet isn’t always easy. Kids can be picky eaters. Families have busy schedules and are often on-the-go. But it’s important to try to encourage a healthy diet because young children can be at risk for developing anemia.

Anemia is a condition in which the body has a low number of red blood cells and a low hemoglobin concentration. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the red blood cells from the lungs to the body. Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is not enough iron in the body to make red blood cells. It is the most common cause of anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia can develop when kids aren’t eating enough iron-rich foods

Anemia due to a child’s diet can happen slowly.  Because of this, parents may not always notice the development of symptoms until they become really severe. Iron deficiency anemia can develop because kids aren’t eating enough iron-rich foods.  Not getting the proper vitamins and nutrients can also cause this type of anemia. For babies, breastfeeding past six months of age without starting solid foods can sometimes lead to anemia.

We know that milk can help with strengthening bones and help with growth. However, there is a limit to the amount that kids should drink. Drinking too much cow’s milk can cause iron deficiency anemia. Here’s why:

Drinking too much cow’s milk cause iron deficiency anemia in toddlers

  • Milk has a small amount of iron that does not meet the needs of a growing child.
  • Milk gets in the way of the body’s ability to absorb iron from food.
  • Drinking too much milk can cause children to fill up on liquid. This can cause them to eat less solid food. Eating less nutritious foods can cause anemia.

Tips for preventing iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia can be avoided by following these recommendations:

  • Start baby foods and solid foods no later than six months of age in a breast-feeding infant.
  • Babies born prematurely need higher amounts of iron than full-term babies and may need to start iron supplements early in life.
  • Do not give children more than 16-20 ounces of milk a day.
  • Give children water with their meal to drink while eating, so they don’t fill up on milk.
  • Don’t give milk as a snack. Let kids eat nutritious foods and drink water at snack time.
  • Make sure that your child is eating foods rich in iron. Here are some suggestions:
    • Meats: Beef, chicken, pork and seafood
    • Vegetables: Mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, potatoes with skin, peas, green beans
    • Other: Fortified breads, cereals and pastas, raisins, nuts, eggs (yolks), dried apricots, watermelon

 

Healthy nutrition is about having a kids eat a variety of foods in their diet. Parents should not cut out milk from their  kids’ diets entirely. By following these guidelines, parents can give their kids a healthy diet while also preventing this type of anemia.

 

For more information about iron deficiency anemia or to schedule an appointment with our Hematology Clinic, please call 513-517-2234 or visit our website.

Subscribe today for more stories, tips, and updates.

Related Articles

TAGS:
  • hematology
Avatar photo

About the author: Lisa Littner, MPH, LISW

Lisa Littner, MPH, MSW, LISW-S, CHES, is a certified health educator and a licensed independent social worker. She is an education specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hemophilia Treatment Center. She also serves as the president of the board of directors of the Tri-State Bleeding Disorder Foundation. https://www.tsbdf.com/

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

No Comments Yet

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • How We Do It
  • Learning and Growing
  • Meet The Team
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Stories
  • Pin of the Week
  • Radiology
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What Makes Us Different
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Never miss a post! Sign up to get new blog updates delivered to your email.

Popular Posts

  • 6 Questions to Ask When Your Child Complains of Chest Pain 1.6k views
  • Stuttering In Young Kids: When To Be Concerned 744 views
  • How Screen Time Affects Kids’ Eyesight and What To Do About It 612 views
  • 4 Questions to Ask When Your Child Has Recurrent Croup 542 views
  • 6 Myths About Kids and Strength Training 515 views
  • Laryngomalacia: Is My Child’s Noisy Breathing Serious? 504 views
About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2022 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center