High-Iron Foods That Babies Shouldn't Eat

The first year of a baby's life is divided into a six-month phase of exclusive breast-feeding, followed by a weaning phase, during which solids are introduced, from months seven through 12. Iron is important for a baby's development. High-iron foods pose no problem, granted the baby is at least 6 months old and not allergic.

Breast-Feeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies receive all their nutrients from breast-feeding for the first six months, or from an infant formula as a second choice. Healthy babies get enough iron from breast milk until they reach six months, when their iron levels deplete. No solids, especially high-iron solids such as fish or liver, should be given to a baby before the weaning phase.

Seafood and Peanuts

Some parents are pro-delay -- that is, banning highly allergic foods such as seafood and peanuts from a baby's diet until they are more developed. Others believe that introducing high-allergy foods early will build up an immunity. The American Academy of Pediatricians' "Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions" was inconclusive for or against, but it provided evidence that exclusive breast-feeding reduces the risk of cow's milk allergy and dermatitis conditions such as eczema, common in children younger than 5. It is still not advisable to give weaning babies large amounts of high allergen food.

Iron Supplements

Iron supplements can do more harm than good, especially during pregnancy and for healthy babies age 1 to 6 months, when there is a risk of iron poisoning, the reverse of anemia. Healthy babies younger than 7 months have low risk of anemia. From 7 to 12 months, a balanced diet, with iron from heme sources such as red meat, liver, poultry and fish, is recommended. Heme iron is the form most easily absorbed by the body.

Weaning

From 6 to 12 months, babies are gradually weaned off breast milk. Their first solids are mushed-up rice, cereals and fruit, as they gingerly take to the new food. After this, babies can eat almost anything. High-iron foods such as chicken, turkey, liver, fish and lentils will supplement breast milk to make up the recommended daily 11 mg of iron for 7- to 12-month-olds.