Baby cereal or not to baby cereal

[Jennyfirsttimemum]

....that is the question....

I'm trying to get more iron to my DD now 6.5 months....

What food combos did you use for your little one?

Trying to avoid iron enhanced baby breakfast cereals! Flip the packet...full of sugar!!!

Spinach and broccoli mix purée is one I've blended....

Ready Brek has added iron OP. You could give that and add things like chopped banana for flavour.

Can I ask why you're concerned about giving iron? Is baby showing any signs of anaemia?

Giving iron rich foods is recommended as standard for all babies aged 6 months or so, not just those who look obviously anemic.

Meat purees are the best things for iron--if you are going to make one puree at home, meat is the one thing where this is really worthwhile IMO. Cereals are good too, but make sure they actually are fortified with iron and zinc, as most British ones have only vitamin B added (which means they are a waste of time, frankly). "Earth's Best" and "Happy Baby" brands are great.

Broccoli and spinach are great things for getting babies used to different flavors and veggies and so on, but like most vegetables they don't actually contain much usable iron as it's very hard for babies to absorb. Unless the baby ate tons and tons of it (which is not going to happen because 6mo babies don't eat much and most of it ends up in their hair anyway). The WHO explicitly recommends giving either meat OR fortified cereal, because otherwise it is hard to meet iron requirements.

www.who.int/nutrition/publications/guiding_principles_compfeeding_breastfed.pdf

Don't stress too much and do have fun! Most babies are not iron deficient, so don't let mealtimes become a source of anxiety. :)