Does iron in infant formula cause constipation?
There’s no evidence to support the widely held belief that iron-containing formulas lead to constipation in infants. Yes, iron drops in pills leads to constipation in many people but the amount of iron given in this way is many times higher than that found in formula. The important thing to remember about infant formula is that the “added” iron simply provides what a baby needs for normal growth and development and shouldn’t be regarded as extra. In fact, formulas that contain iron should be regarded as regular while low-iron formulas should be regarded as iron deficient. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells, and a deficiency of iron is likely to lead to anemia by six months of age. Studies have suggested that iron deficiency anemia during the first two years of life can lead to developmental delay. For these reasons and more, low-iron formulas should have no role in infant nutrition.
