Does the iron in iron-fortified formulas cause constipation?
The answer is no. In clinical studies with iron-fortified formulas researchers have not reported increased tolerance problems. In these studies, no difference in fussiness, cramps, spitting up, constipation, gas or colic were reported by parents. In addition, stool consistency and frequency were comparable in infants fed low iron and iron-fortified formula. Iron is very important in infant formulas because it is the nutrient most likely to be at low levels in an infant’s diet. Iron-fortified formulas have been very important in decreasing the occurrence of iron deficiency in infancy.
