25 Iron-Rich Foods for Babies & Toddlers
You are going to hear a lot about iron in baby's first few years. This is because iron is a crucial micronutrient that helps form hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Iron also plays a role in neurodevelopment. And many kids aren’t getting enough.
To make things easier for you, we analyzed foods highest in iron and then whittled down the list to those most easily adapted for babies.
For more on the specific nutrients babies need, browse all of our guides on starting solids.
Vegetarian or vegan? See our plant-based guide.
25 Iron-Rich Foods for Babies
Fortified infant cereals
Navy beans
Tahini (sesame seed paste)
Goat meat
Cashew butter
Buffalo
Here’s the catch: not all iron is equal. Iron from animal sources such as chicken liver, is much more easily absorbed in the body than iron from plant-based foods like lentils and beans. To help baby’s body absorb iron from beans, nuts and other plant-based foods, serve foods high in vitamin C along with them.
Reviewed by:
Venus Kalami, MNSP, RD. Pediatric dietitian
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