Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia in children. This condition is most common among children of preschool age (under 6 years old). Therefore, the iron supplement for children is really essential. So how to supplement iron for children like, and \ in how long always make many parents concern about today.

Iron supplementation for children under 6 is extremely important

The importance of iron for children

Iron is known to provide essential nutrients for the development of cells and nervous system in children. In addition, iron also aids in the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. At the same time contribute to the regulation of energy metabolism of physical activities.

As can be seen, iron is important for both adults and children. However, children need 9 times more iron than adults. If a child is iron deficient for a long time, it will greatly affect both the child's health and intelligence.

How much iron do children under 6 years old need?

During the first 6 months, your baby will receive iron from breast milk. However, from 6 months onwards, breastmilk does not have enough iron reserves to supply the baby. So, depending on the age and stage of the child, mothers can supplement iron for children according to different standards.

 - For children from 6 - 9 months old: Supplement about 11 mg / day

 - For children from 1-3 years old: About 11 mg / day

 - For children 5 years old: Less than 10 mg / day

 - For children 9-13 years old: About 8 mg

 - For children 14-18 years old: Approximately 15 mg / day (girls) or 11 mg / day (boys)

Depending on the age of the child, mothers should supplement an appropriate amount of iron

How long should iron supplement for children?

In order to be able to supplement iron for children appropriately and ensure children's development. Then mothers should consult with doctors to know how long to supplement iron for children. Because iron is an important micronutrient, without it, the child's development from the inside out will be adversely affected. But excess iron will also have serious adverse effects on children.

So, if parents voluntarily overdose iron supplements to children and do not follow any rules for a long time. Children will be more at risk of problems with heart disease, liver damage, hyperglycemia, ... That's why how long and how much to supplement enough iron are two questions that Parents need to be know well before supplementing iron for their children.

Where the child is full-term

For full term babies, mothers should supplement iron for children from 4 months onwards until babies can eat more than 2 servings per day. If the baby is still breastfeeding, the mother needs to drink more milk to increase the iron supplement for the baby. And when the child has started to eat solids, at this time, mothers should build a scientific diet with iron from foods such as pureed meat, cereals, ...

Premature babies

In the case of premature babies, parents need to focus on iron supplements for babies as soon as they are 2 weeks old until they are 1 year old and start weaning. If you are still breastfeeding at this stage, you should also add iron fortified milk.

Some ways to prevent iron deficiency in children

To prevent children from iron deficiency, mothers can conduct iron supplements for children in the following ways.

Don't overdo milk

For children from 1 to 5 years old, mothers should not allow her child to drink more than 710ml of milk per day to avoid the highest risk of iron deficiency.

Add iron-rich foods

When the child is in the period from 4 - 6 months old, at this time the child has started to eat solid, mothers should give priority to adding foods with added iron such as: mashed beans, pureed meat, cereals. .. As for older children, mothers can find iron in foods such as chicken, red meat, spinach, beans, ...

Supplement with Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays an important role in the absorption of iron in the diet. Therefore, mothers can improve the absorption of iron in their children by adding foods rich in vitamin C such as strawberries, oranges, tangerines, tomatoes, green vegetables, ...

Supplement the necessary nutrients to prevent children from iron deficiency

In general, iron supplementation for children under 6 years old is important that parents need to keep in mind to ensure their child's development. Hopefully, with the information that Amvi shared above, parents will have a lot of experience to care for and supplement their children in the most reasonable way.

Source: Internet