Weaning truths and myths

The importance of iron

Do I wait until my baby is nine months before introducing red meat?

On average, babies are born with only sufficient iron reserves for approximately the first six months of life. Iron deficiency is the commonest nutritional problem for young children and red meat, particularly liver, provides the best source of iron for your baby. The trouble is that meat can be quite chewy, which can put babies off, so it's best to combine meat with root vegetables or pasta, both of which will help to produce a much smoother texture.

If your child is vegetarian, these foods provide a good source of iron:

• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Egg yolk
• Wholemeal bread
• Dark green vegetables such as spinach and cabbage
• Beans and lentils
• Dried fruit such as apricot, prunes, peaches, raisins

The problem is that iron in non-meat sources is more difficult for our bodies to absorb. However, if food or drinks containing vitamin C are eaten at the same meal as non-meat sources of iron, then the iron is better absorbed. So give them something like citrus, berry fruits or diluted orange juice during the same meal.

Surveys have shown that one in every five babies aged 10 to 12 months has daily intakes of iron below the desired level.

How much milk does a baby need between six and 12 months?

Babies should have 500-600ml of formula or breast milk each day between six months and one year.

Encourage your baby to drink from a cup or beaker as soon as possible as it is better for your baby's teeth.

Should I avoid cow's milk until he is one year old?

Breast or formula milk should be your baby's main drink for the whole of the first year. Full-fat cow's milk can be used in cooking from six months, for example when making a cheese sauce for your baby, and cow's milk can also be given with your baby's cereal. However, don't give cow's milk to your baby as his main drink until he is one year old. This is because it doesn't contain enough iron and other nutrients to meet your baby's needs.