10 Best Baby Iron Supplements – Reviews and Buying Guide October of 2022

Top Rated Baby Iron Supplements

Last update on 2022-10-19

Baby Iron Supplement Buying Guide

An iron supplement is vital for body function. It is given to babies to prevent iron deficiency. It is mainly needed for brain development and the production of new red blood cells. Luckily, there are different brands offering iron supplements for babies. If you are unable to choose the best iron supplement for your kid, you should take the help of the buying guide below.

What is Baby Iron Supplement?

Baby iron supplement is commonly available as iron-fortified foods or formula. It is given to babies to increase the count of red blood cells in their bodies.

Iron supplements have various benefits. It not only prevents iron deficiency but also helps in the development of your baby’s brain. It is also helpful in treating the condition called, anaemia, which is caused due to iron deficiency in the body.

Iron deficiency is mainly caused due to lack of iron in the food. This deficiency can be met by giving iron supplements to your kids.

Low iron in children can lead to various health issues. It makes them feel tired or look pale. Not just that, but it can also hinder their growth and development. This is why giving iron supplements to babies is important.

Why Should You Buy a Good Baby Iron Supplement?

You will come across many iron supplement products for babies. But you should get the one that is best for your baby.

Every brand claims to offer the best baby iron supplement. But deep down even you know that it is not true. When buying iron supplements for kids, you should always consider the reputation of the brand. A reputable brand will provide high-quality products because they have a reputation to maintain in the market.

Buying the highest quality iron-fortified formulas or foods will ensure that your baby is getting the best. Baby iron supplements are available for 4 to 6 months onwards. If you are not sure what type of iron supplementation to provide, you should talk to your baby’s healthcare provider.

A good baby iron supplement will help in the development of your child. Iron supplements support brain development and the production of red blood cells. If your baby is anaemic, it will prove to be extremely helpful.

Look for iron supplements that are specially formulated for babies. This will ensure proper absorption of the supplement in the body. Baby iron supplements are usually available as liquid drops, syrups, chews, gummies, powder, and foods.

How to Choose the Best Baby Iron Supplement?

There are various benefits of providing iron supplements to your kids. It plays an important role in building their tissues and muscles.

Iron is a mineral that helps in the production of red blood cells in the body. To be more precise, it makes haemoglobin, which is a carrier of oxygen in red blood cells. Lack of iron in the body can lead to iron deficiency and in some cases, anaemia.

The amount of iron supplement to be given to babies depends on their age. Children of different ages need different amounts of iron. So you should choose an iron supplement that is appropriate for your child’s age.

Iron supplements for babies are available in different forms. You will rarely find iron supplement pills for kids as most kids have difficulty swallowing pills.

When you are out there buying baby iron supplements, you will come across these supplement forms.

1. Liquid

Liquid iron supplements are probably the best for small babies. It usually comes with a dropper dispenser, so you can easily give it to your baby. 

The best thing about liquid supplements is that they get absorbed by the body easily. This form of supplement is for babies and kids of all ages. You can place the dropper directly in their mouth and you are done.

However, there’s one drawback to liquid supplements. It can stain your baby’s teeth. So you need to make sure that you brush your little one’s teeth right after giving the supplement. 

2. Gummy

Gummy iron supplements are like tasty candies. They are purposely designed this way, so parents don’t have to struggle while feeding supplements to their kids. This is the reason why gummy supplements are so popular among parents.

But it does have a drawback. Most gummy iron supplements contain added sugars, artificial flavours, or high-fructose corn syrup. These things are not good for your baby’s health.

Also, all gummy supplements are not vegan-friendly. Many of them contain animal-based gelatine as well. Before getting gummy supplements, you should check the label to know the ingredients present in them.

3. Chewable

Another form of iron supplement is chewable ones. The good thing about these supplements is that they come with the dosage measured. Each chewable tablet contains typically 9-15 milligrams of iron.

They are also available in a variety of flavours, so kids can enjoy the taste. These tablets are designed in such a way that they dissolve quickly in the mouth. If your baby is a fussy eater, this will be helpful. 

When buying chewable iron supplements, make sure to check the label. Get the tablets that are labelled as “melts.” 

4. Syrup

Supplements in the form of syrups are liked by kids because they find them tasty. Syrups are also liquids, but they have a better taste. 

Iron supplements syrups are available in a range of flavours. The most popular flavour is the berry flavour. Syrups may contain additives that are used to make them sweet.

When giving syrup supplements, you must measure the dosage. You can ask your baby’s healthcare provider for the right dosage.

5. Powder

You will also find iron supplements in the form of powders. But unlike other forms, the powder is less popular.

The good thing about powders is that they can be mixed into smoothies or in food. Iron powders usually have a strong taste, so mixing them in food helps mask the taste.

What Features Should You Consider When Buying a Baby Iron Supplement?

Buying baby iron supplements is not easy. Certain important things need to be examined before you make your final decision. To help you out, we have explained the important features below. These are the factors you should consider when buying an iron supplement for your baby.

1. Added vitamin C

Vitamin C helps absorb the iron in the body. This is why many brands include vitamin C in their baby iron supplements. If you don’t get iron supplements with vitamin C, no worries. You can simply add a few citrus fruits and other vitamin C rich foods to your kid’s diet. This will help boost the bioavailability of the iron supplement.    

2. Sugar-free

There’s no doubt that sugary vitamins are loved by kids because of their sweet taste. But these supplements are not always good for your kid’s health. If consumed for a long time, it can affect your kid’s health or teeth. For example, gummy iron supplements contain the highest amount of sugar than any other iron supplement. They may also have a sugar coating. This is why you should check the label of a supplement before buying it. You should go for the ones that are labelled sugar-free. Also, read the ingredient carefully and see if they contain hidden sugars like corn syrup or fructose.

3. Form

As already discussed above baby iron supplements are available in different forms. You should choose a supplement form that is best suited for your baby. The different supplement forms available are liquids, syrups, gummies, chewable, and powder. Out of all the forms, the liquid is usually considered the best as it is easier to feed. Also, it doesn’t contain sugar like in the case of gummies.

4. Vegan

Babies on a vegetarian or vegan diet are more prone to iron deficiency. If you are giving your child iron supplement because of their restricted diet, you should get a supplement that is vegetarian or vegan. You will find the details on the label of the product. Gummies in particular may contain animal-based gelatine.

How Much Does a Top-rated Baby Iron Supplement Cost?

Baby iron supplement is available in different price ranges. Since you are getting this supplement for your child, you should get the highest quality product on the market. In this case, the price will automatically be more.

Compared to cheap baby iron supplements, high-end products are more effective. However, you will also find many affordable baby iron supplement brands.

But we recommend you to go for a high-end baby iron supplement because it will be more effective for your baby.

The cost of iron supplements for babies starts at $9 and goes up to $22 for a 60-day pack.

Final Verdict

Baby iron supplements make an important part of your child’s diet, especially if they lack iron in their body. By providing iron supplements to your kid you can improve their development, strengthen their muscles and tissues, and increase red blood cells count in the body. You can choose from different forms of iron supplements depending on your child’s requirements.

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