At what age do healthy term breastfed infants need an iron supplement?

Healthy term breastfed infants typically require an iron supplement starting at around 4 months of age. Breast milk provides numerous benefits and is highly nutritious, but it is low in iron. Although infants are born with a certain amount of iron stored in their bodies, these stores usually begin to deplete by the age of 4 to 6 months as their growth rates accelerate and their dietary needs increase.

At around 4 months, breastfed infants are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency anemia, as their iron reserves start declining and the iron content in breast milk is insufficient to meet their physiological requirements at this stage. To prevent iron deficiency and support healthy development, it is recommended that iron supplements be introduced.

Supplementation of iron at this age helps ensure that infants receive adequate amounts of this essential mineral as they transition to a more varied diet that will help meet their iron needs. Furthermore, including iron-rich complementary foods around 6 months of age will also help maintain adequate iron levels as their nutritional intake evolves.