6 months - meat/iron levels

[moneytree]

I weaned my DS at 26 weeks on vegetables & fruit before I introduced him to meat at 30 or so weeks. As he wasnt sleeping through the night at 35 weeks I went to my HV for advice. She said I should have weaned him onto meat at 27 weeks as his iron store was depeleted & will sleep through when he is well established on protein. I now have my DD who is 27 weeks and will only eat pureed fruit and gags on pureed meat. I tried BLW but she doesnt eat anything. I am obviously concerend with regard to her iron levels etc. Any advice?

they don't need very much iron at that age, and there is some iron in fruit. that should be enough for the time being - some babies are vegetarian after all. she'll also be getting enough protein from her milk, but if you're worried, how about scrambled egg?

Thanks for response, I would try an egg however I am allergic to them so its best to try her on them when is older.

i have 6 month ds and was also pondering this the other day. I am intending to keep with fruit and veg till at least 7 months and maybe 8. I might be mistaken but if you are concerned then i think lentils might be iron rich, they could be easily pureed and added in small amounts to veg. also i think some of the baby cereals you can get have iron in so you could that for breakfast and then veg/ fruit at other mealtimes. I have an older dd and was told when weaning her that this iron thing at 6 months is a myth and is just to get us worried mums to buy follow on milks when they aren't really necessary. Don't know if this is true. Also, doesn't spinach have iron it?? you could make up a few purees with spinach in (might need to add sweeter vegs/ fruit aswell to make more tasty..

Yes, I am totally confused about this iron & protein info. Most of the baby cereals have some cows milk in them which I am also allergic to (real pain!) so cant try her on that yet either and also why I am still BFeeding. Will try her on spinach though!

My HV got me in a bit of a lather about iron as well, as I'd 'waited' until 6 months to wean, and was breastfeeding .

Lentils as mentioned are great for iron, and really easy to cook. I also gave DS dried apricots, he chowed them down whole but I think you could make into a puree... I also gave him weetabix for brekkie as it is fortified with iron

But I think the main thing was that I relaxed a bit about it - DS was right in front of me and was plump, active and healthy. If I'd had any real concerns I would ahve asked for a blood test if HV was still worried about iron. DS is now 16 months and doesn't eat huge amounts of meat as we mainly eat veggie as a family.

With cereal you could mix with water, or EBM if you could face the hassle? Just a thought, not had to avoid cows milk myself.

Well, my DD has never had meat and her iron levels are fine. If your baby's bfed then she's still getting some iron albeit not much but very easily assimilated. Formula has iron added to it if she's ffed. There is always a lot of alarmism about iron levels at 6mo, but it doesn't just suddenly disappear overnight! Small amounts of iron at this stage are more than sufficient.

Good iron sources digestible at that stage are red lentils, peas (other pulses are a bit too fibrous early on), leafy green veg, dried fruit (such as raisins, dried apricots etc.), tofu, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and other veg of the same family. When she's a bit older you can start introducing other dried fruits, nuts, other pulses, wheatgerm/wholegrains. If you want to give egg, try giving yolk only as the white is more allergenic.

Protein is not an issue as at that age there is sufficient in milk, which should remain their main food for another couple of months or so anyway.

Thanks for the advice appreciated! Will chill out abit about now.

Have a look here for meat free sources of iron

And chill

also you don't have to give her baby cereals: proper porridge or home made ground rice/semolina will be fine.

you could obviously easily make your own but for info "Plum" (you can get in tesco's, waitrose etc) do a spinach, basil puree for 4 months plus. It looks and smells disgusting but my baby loves it. That range has a protein rich something or other in it too (quinoa flakes or something). Also would recommend Annabel Karmet Baby and Toddler meal planner book for recipes and also info about what babies should have and when. good luck!

Thanks!