Here are a few tips to keep your child from becoming iron deficient:

• Breastfeed or use iron-fortified formula until at least 12 months.
• Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months.
• Give infant iron-fortified cereal after 6 months.
• Iron drops if infant cannot consume efficient iron at 6 months.
• Encourage at least one vitamin C rich food per day after 6 months.
• Limit milk intake to less than 24 ounces a day for children ages 1 to 5.