Low iron can affect everything from behavior, sleep to brain development, here’s when to consider giving your child a supplement.

Toddlers need about 7mg of iron daily. In theory they should be able to get this from their diet, with the best sources being meat, poultry, fish, cereals, and beans. If your 2 year old is going through a picky eating phase and has been refusing such foods for an extended period of time, then they may need a multivitamin containing iron, or a standalone iron supplement to ensure they don’t develop a deficiency. Toddlers are experiencing a stage of rapid growth, and iron is essential to support brain development, immune function, and to transport oxygen around the body during this phase. Without it, young children can become irritable, fatigued, and their growth may become compromised. 

Why is Iron Deficiency so Common in Toddlers?

Due to the intense physical development between the ages of 1 and 3 years, toddlers' bodies have a higher demand for iron. This period of growth however can often coincide with fussy eating and children turning away healthy dishes. If they fill up on other foods and drinks like snacks and cow’s milk, this can displace the iron-rich foods they need to be consuming. It can be challenging to ensure a toddler is receiving all of the required vitamins and minerals through their diet alone, which is why to fill any gaps in their nutrition, it may be worth introducing a multivitamin containing iron.   

How to Tell if a Toddler Has Low Iron?

Paleness, lack of energy, moodiness, and poor appetite are all signs your toddler may be lacking in iron. EllaOla’s Kids’ Unflavored Iron with Vitamin C has been designed especially for growing bodies and developing brains. The formula was created to ensure maximum absorption and effectiveness. The unflavored powder is also ideal for picky eaters as it blends in undetected into liquids and foods.